Oh dear, there really seems to be something wrong with the candidate vetting process employed by the coalition political parties doesn't there... https://twitter.com/Henry_Belot/status/925221937650876416
Month: October 2017
More Pro-Life Than The Pope?
An interesting development has been reported on the website of Crux (see the full story below). I find it hard to believe that the group establishing the new academy would believe that their actions are anything but a direct criticism of Pope Francis. Their claim essentially boils down to believing they more 'pro-life' than the present… Continue reading More Pro-Life Than The Pope?
The Need To Avoid Ecclesial Petitions
A very interesting article from Massimo Faggioli on the phenomenon of theological petitions within the Catholic Church - both 'for' and 'against' the current pope - and the reason why they are harmful to the life of the Church. Writing in the context of the 'fraternal correction' petition issued by some people within the Church… Continue reading The Need To Avoid Ecclesial Petitions
Review: The Templar’s Cross
The Templar's Cross by J.R. Tomlin My rating: 3 of 5 stars Once you get your head around the use of Scots spelling in this book, this is an enjoyable yarn, following Sir Law Kintour's efforts to re-establish a life for himself following the disastrous campaign in France fought by the French and their Scottish… Continue reading Review: The Templar’s Cross
Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave!
In light of the revelations last week following the 'mishandled' raids on the offices of the Australian Workers Union at the behest of the Registered Organisations Commission, this story in the latest edition of The Saturday Paper makes for interesting reading. One cannot help but get the impression that some within the current Federal Government don't… Continue reading Oh What A Tangled Web We Weave!
Homilies: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) as preached during the 5pm Mass on Sunday 29th October at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings for today were Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40.
Friday Filing: Are You (Only) An Australian?
With much media hoopla, the High Court of Australia, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, today handed down judgements in the case of the seven Federal politicians who, in light of information that became public, were unsure whether they were eligible under the Constitution of Australia to be nominated for, and subsequently elected, to… Continue reading Friday Filing: Are You (Only) An Australian?
Review: Satan’s Fire
Satan's Fire by Paul Doherty My rating: 4 of 5 stars In this ninth edition of the Hugh Corbett series by Paul Doherty, our eponymous hero encounters the Order of the Temple, the Templars, and their last Grand Master Jacques de Molay. As someone who has always been fascinated by the history of the Templars… Continue reading Review: Satan’s Fire
Review: The Song of a Dark Angel
The Song of a Dark Angel by Paul Doherty My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another thoroughly enjoyable book in the ongoing Hugh Corbett mystery series, with the eponymous hero travelling to Norfolk to deal with murder and intrigue. Accompanied by his two servants, our hero encounters an increasing number of complex relationships in the… Continue reading Review: The Song of a Dark Angel
Review: The Spanish Inquisition: A Historical Revision
The Spanish Inquisition: A Historical Revision, Fourth Edition by Henry Kamen My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a long read in terms of time largely, I suspect, because of the subject matter and the way in which historians tend to write. It was, quite simply, not a book you could read from cover… Continue reading Review: The Spanish Inquisition: A Historical Revision
Homilies: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Homily preached on 22 October 2017 @ Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton during the 5pm Mass for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). The readings were Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21.
Friday Filing: The Alienation of Opposition
There can be little doubt in the mind of the any even vaguely aware Australian that the soon to conclude Postal Survey on Marriage has given rise to a level of oppositional resentment in public discourse. Regardless of which side of that survey one seems to support, there is someone else who will take exception… Continue reading Friday Filing: The Alienation of Opposition
The Role of “Religion”
The apparently “Christian” culture of the people of Spain between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries left much to be desired, since both clergy and people were equally ignorant of basic essentials. “Religion” ended up (as in other parts of Europe) as an extension of social discourse rather than a system of faith; it was, in… Continue reading The Role of “Religion”
Review: On Doubt
On Doubt by Leigh Sales My rating: 4 of 5 stars A very enjoyable and insightful essay from Leigh Sales on the question of doubt or, more specifically, how the presence of doubt should make someone infinitely wiser - because of the constant questioning and exploration that doubt engenders - yet seems to be seen… Continue reading Review: On Doubt
Beware False Balance
As somebody who still believes in facts, I don't believe in false balance. The has become a major issue in contemporary media because frequently people representing inaccurate, fringe positions argue that if their voices are not given equal weight, it illustrates bias. The reality is there are not two equal sides to every issue. There… Continue reading Beware False Balance
