Catholic – PIED TYPE

March 13, 2013May 24, 2021

New pope takes the name Francis

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Pope Francis. The first pope from South America, from Argentina. The first non-European pope since the 8th Century. Said to be a humble man who voluntarily gave up many of the trappings of a cardinal, such as his chauffeur, because he wanted to remain humble and simple. Taking the name Francis, the name of a saint who also wished to live a simple, unpretentious life. The first pope to take the name Francis.

Could it be the Catholic Church has finally gotten the message about the need for change? … Comments »

March 11, 2013May 24, 2021

Sweet Sistine finals close Monday night

Well, I blew it. Lost track of time and forgot to check for the Sweet Sistine update. Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada and Cardinal John Onaiyekan of Nigeria made it to the finals and the voting ends tonight (Monday). The winner will be announced tomorrow. I confess I’m surprised and pleased to see there are no Italians in the finals. … Comments »

March 7, 2013May 24, 2021

Sweet Sistine reaches Final Four

The previously reported Sweet Sistine has reached its Final Four. Canadian Marc Ouellet is facing off against Brazilian Joao Braz de Aviz, while Milan’s Angelo Scola is up against Nigeria’s John Onaiyekan. Choose your favorites now. No word on when this round closes. Continue reading Sweet Sistine reaches Final Four

March 4, 2013May 24, 2021

Sweet Sistine advances to round of 8

The brackets for the Sweet Sistine race for the Vatican have moved to the Round of Eight. You have until 9 pm EST on March 6 to pick your favorites. The two Italians, Ravasi and Scola, have advanced (surprise!) and one will be eliminated in this round. … Comments »

March 2, 2013May 24, 2021

March Madness, Vatican-style

I have paid little attention to the race for the papacy in Rome and am only vaguely acquainted with the names of the American hopefuls. It’s been suggested that, since the majority of Catholics today live in Latin America, the next pope should be from there. That sounds logical to me and might let in … Continue reading March Madness, Vatican-style

February 28, 2013May 24, 2021

Papal resignation: The more things change

As the sun sank slowly in the west (in Italy), Pope Benedict XVI stepped out of the public limelight and into “retirement” (though he’ll continue to reside in the Vatican), his every move described in rapt reverence by this morning’s commentators on ABC News. Really? I’m sorry, but as an increasingly cynical old atheist, I find … Continue reading Papal resignation: The more things change

June 7, 2012May 24, 2021

Pro-life groups not likely to let science interfere with religion, politics

While The New York Times first reported it in great detail several days ago, The Week breaks it down into a short form: The “morning after pill” does not keep a fertilized egg from implanting; it prevents fertilization from occurring at all. It does so by slowing the egg on its journey to the uterus, … Continue reading Pro-life groups not likely to let science interfere with religion, politics

March 25, 2012May 24, 2021

Caution: Higher education at work

In today’s New York Times there’s a wonderful editorial by Frank Bruni entitled “A Catholic Classmate Rethinks His Religion.” Don’t be put off by the title; it’s not some treatise on Catholicism. Instead, it touches on stereotypes, homosexuality, religion, bigotry, abortion, medical ethics, and the value of higher education. That’s a pretty broad brush for … Continue reading Caution: Higher education at work

February 18, 2012October 6, 2021

The religious rape of American women

Catholic men of America — and all conservatives who support them — you’re not going to win this debate. You are not going to deprive American women of the benefits of 21st Century science, medicine, and law. You are not going to inject your archaic religious beliefs into American jurisprudence and drag women back into … Continue reading The religious rape of American women

February 10, 2012May 24, 2021

Semantics in religion and law

I’m still scratching my head over the furor with Pres. Obama and the Catholic Church about providing contraception for employees. As I understand it, the edict from Washington originally said all Catholic institutions had to cover/pay for/provide contraception for female employees. Church leaders and others had a fit about Obama’s “war on religion.” Obama came … Continue reading Semantics in religion and law

January 6, 2012May 24, 2021

So that’s how it is

I just saw a teaser on TV for Oprah Winfrey’s “Next Chapter” show on Sunday. It was evangelist Joel Osteen saying something like (paraphrasing): “I can’t be helpful to people if I’m all poor and depressed myself.” Finally. The rationale for one getting rich off religion. I’ve always wondered how people like that justify getting … Continue reading So that’s how it is

September 29, 2010May 24, 2021

Atheists beat believers on religion survey

America’s atheists and agnostics scored higher on a religious knowledge survey than evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants, and Catholics, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. They scored highest on questions about religion in public life and what the Constitution says about religion, and second only to Jews on knowledge of the world’s … Continue reading Atheists beat believers on religion survey