I do not have to repeat here the reactions in Ireland to the Cloyne Report and the realisation that the Roman Catholic Church continued its inappropriate response to clerical sex abuse. It is covered in many places. One Irish newspaper published a photograph of the Pope with “Persona Non Grata” superimposed on his image. There
seal of confession Read More »
Roman Catholic canon law requires all its clergy, married or not, to abstain from sex. Canon 277 has long been ignored but suddenly is hitting the blogosphere. This is relevant not only to the tens of thousands of married Roman Catholic deacons, but to clergy in the Anglican Ordinariates. More than a year ago, through
No sex please, we’re clergy Read More »
Direct ordination or not? Priesthood is normally understood as church-facing/Christian-community-facing leadership. Priests gather and lead the Christian community gathering (breathing in). Priests in the Church are called to build up Christ’s congregation, to strengthen the baptised… to be pastors… to declare forgiveness through Jesus Christ, to baptise, to preside at the Eucharist, to administer Christ’s
per saltum ordination Read More »
Up in the Air 2009 movie – some thoughts Central to this film (spoilers warning) is a scene with Jim Miller (Danny McBride) in a Sunday school classroom reading the classic The Velveteen Rabbit. The story of The Velveteen Rabbit is a story of a toy rabbit who becomes real by being loved – loved
be part of love – “Up in the Air” Read More »
Why do people equate a “church wedding” with lots of expense? I was talking to someone who got married recently. She is a church-going Christian. Her wedding was a simple wedding in a registry office. They asked to have no presents, and friends present paid for their own meal afterwards at a restaurant. My question
inexpensive wedding Read More »
I have blogged previously on the impact of swine flu on liturgy and the usefulness of the illustrated wafer-firing apparatus. Since then, however, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, amongst many others have added suggestions. In their case it was to suggest suspending administering the chalice to the congregation, or, if seeking to offer communion
consecrating only bread? Read More »
The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishop’s Theology Committee has just produced a first report on the question of whether the unbaptised might be welcomed to receive communion. In the past, it was those with a low view of the Eucharist who might have argued that anyone can receive communion. For them it was merely bread
Baptism – communion – in which order? Read More »
Two days ago I put up a post on whether or not we should have sacraments in and through the virtual world of the internet (click to read Virtual Eucharist). Seldom have I seen such strong interest in a particular issue on my site. About 200 people an hour are reading this article – over
The church & the internet Read More »
