Clik here to view.
The first bridge of Ascension Day
At Mass today, Pope Francis reminded us to “do as Paul did and begin to “build bridges and to move forward”, because “the LORD made bridges”. Tomorrow we mark one of those bridges, the tallest, longest...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Three Popes in the Vatican – a historical occasion in more than one way
With Pope Francis residing in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery and Coptic Pope Tawadros II visiting from Egypt, the Vatican is temporarily home to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hot topic, or how the Church does, in fact, not promote violence
At a European conference on the emancipation of homosexuals in The Hague, an Amsterdam alderman has called for all religious leaders in the world to take their responsibility regarding the acceptance...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The bishop and the professors – presenting reality
Last month I wrote about a curious manifesto from the hands of a group of professors who criticised the general trend of parish mergers in the Dutch dioceses. I wrote then, “[t]hey warn that mergers,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Three times three new priests
In this first week after Pentecost, three dioceses in the Netherlands are gearing up to ordain three priests each on Saturday. While it is no set rule, it is customary for new priests to be ordained...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bound for Heaven or for Hell?
Pope Francis’ recent homily about salvation, and even more so Father Thomas Rosica’s comments about it, has led to much speculation, confusion and even anger about one of the most essential questions...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A reminder: look upon Christ
Don’t forget, in most cathedrals and many other churches the world over, faithful will join Pope Francis in an hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. United in faith, the Church that Christ...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Servant of peace – Msgr. Ansgar Puff new auxiliary in Cologne
Another day, and another new bishop in Germany. This time it’s the Archdiocese of Cologne receiving a new auxiliary. Bishop-elect Ansgar Puff succeeds Bishop Heiner Koch, who was appointed as ordinary...
View ArticleClik here to view.
St. Joseph in the Canon – a clearer presence
For a Catholic with a fond appreciation to Saint Joseph, like yours truly, the following decree, titled Paternas vices, is a very pleasant surprise: Exercising his paternal care over Jesus, Saint...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A big pebble in a small pond – looking back at Bishop Gijsen
Bishop Joannes Gijsen, who passed away at the age of 80 today, has left a mark on the Church in the Netherlands. Virtually all elements of his service led to comments, criticism, questions and, also,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
At WYD@Home, Bishop van den Hende on the living Lord
In 2011 Bishop Hans van den Hende, bishop of Rotterdam, gave one of the catechesis classes during the World Youth Days in Madrid. His talk then was met with a standing ovation. This year, although he...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Just a bishop in the Lord’s vineyard – on the death of Bishop Bluyssen
“The death of Msgr. Bluyssen has affected me deeply. He was the bishop who ordained me a deacon and a priest. At my consecration as bishop he was one of the concelebrants. My appreciation for him is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On the eve of a funeral, on Mary and John
Yesterday, the body of Bishop Jan Bluyssen was moved from the monastery where he had lived for the past thirty years to the bishop’s house, in preparation for tomorrow’s funeral Mass. The transfer was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The death problem – Church funerals
In the days after the funeral of Bishop Jan Bluyssen, last Thursday, I’ve been reading a fair amount of criticism on how the Mass was performed. It was not in line with how the late bishop would have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
In Namur, a new – and very young – basilica
On Thursday, the “upper church” of the Belgian Marian shrine at Beauraing was elevated to the dignity of basilica minor. The building, built in addition to the original chapel built on the site after...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“Two hands reaching out”– the consecration of Bishop Michael Gerber
“It is God who enters into a relationship with us, who holds out his hand to us, and therefore invites us to open ourselves to Him and enter into the covenant with Him.” Words from Archbishop Robert...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New additions – interesting steps taken by the bishops
In their most recent meeting, the Dutch bishops made two interesting and welcome decisions in two very different but important, fields. Starting with the Thursday after Pentecost 2014, the Feast of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On the Feast of St. Matthew the Evangelist
“That finger of Jesus, pointing at Matthew. That’s me. I feel like him. Like Matthew.” “It is the gesture of Matthew that strikes me: he holds on to his money as if to say, ‘No, not me! No, this money...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cardinal Eijk sanctions a priest for excessive liturgical creativity, so why...
Cardinal Eijk is the media’s bad guy again. He sanctioned a priest for ‘forgetting’ a few words at Mass. Well, as it often is when secular media try to report on Church business, reality is a bit...
View ArticleClik here to view.
In the school of Mary
As I was reminded again yesterday, Mary is in many ways a mother. Motherhood in both the theological and personal meaning of the word. She is also a teacher who teaches us about her Son and about our...
View Article