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A time of change: Epiphany
“After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east asking, ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star...
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Eijk on Trent – Protestants feel insulted, but for the right reasons?
Cardinal Eijk just can’t win. In an interview for the Reformatorisch Dagblad, which was published yesterday, he explained that the Council of Trent is still current. The statements of that Council,...
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“Not very nice”- Protestants call Cardinal Eijk to explain himself
The comments by Cardinal Eijk on the Council of Trent continue to cause a stir, chiefly in Protestant circles, but also among Catholics. Accusations that Trent was centuries ago and that times have...
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The sexuality clash
In the countries around us the results of the Synod of Bishops questionnaire have been published and they show a worrying image. While the data differs slightly per country, the general trend seems to...
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The Congregation comes, meets, clarifies and clears the way for a new convent
Earlier this week, representatives of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (the Curia dicastery for all religious orders and groups) visited the...
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The final say – Bishops write a letter about the papal visit that didn’t happen
The bishops today issued a letter in which they respond to the enthusiasm for a possible papal visit and the disappointment when it became clear that one was not forthcoming. This letter is certainly...
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Teacher and shepherd – Trier responds
The Diocese of Trier has come with some sort of explanation for Bishop Stephan Ackermann’s confusing comments on the Church’s moral teaching, which I wrote about before. The response comes in a...
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Lenten reflection – Ash Wednesday
Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this...
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Lenten reflection – First Thursday
“He said, ‘The Son of man is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’ Then, speaking to...
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Waypoints – A selection of Lenten messages
Various bishops have written messages to their faithful on the occasion of Lent. In this post I want to go over six of them, written by bishops in and around the Netherlands. I have been scanning the...
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Lenten reflection – First Friday
“Then John’s disciples came to him and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants cannot mourn as long as the...
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Lenten reflection – First Saturday
“When he went out after this, he noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting at the tax office, and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything Levi got up and followed him. In his honour Levi...
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Lenten reflection – First Sunday
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry, and the tester came and said to him, ‘If...
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Lenten reflection – First Monday
“‘When the Son of man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from...
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Actors for the Passion 2014 revealed
Today the principal actors for the 2014 edition of The Passion, which will take place in the city I live in, were revealed, and I must say it seems like a good line-up. The role of Jesus will be...
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Lenten reflection – Second Friday
I skipped a few days due to real life obligations, so it’s about time I press on with my completely off-the-cuff and utterly personal (so without any authority whatsoever) reflection on today’s Gospel...
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“Everything for everyone”– Herwig Gössl consecrated in Bamberg
In a full cathedral basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. George, Archbishop Ludwig Schick consecrated the new auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamberg, Herwig Gössl, at 47 Germany’s...
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“Find your treasure”– a transcript of the interview
“It was sharp…” “We visited the Pope.” “…white balance was right…” “We visited the Pope.” “…and we visited the Pope.” “We pressed the button.” “We had more time than we thought.” “45 minutes. We could...
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“There is nothing worse”– Bishop Wiertz on sexual abuse
Over the past weekend, the news of the “plausible” abuse by Bishop Gijsen has obviously dominated Catholic news in the Netherlands. For some it was reason for renewed attacks against the Catholic...
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Alleluiah!
Exsultet, Alleluiah! Christ has risen! I don’t know about anyone else, but my Easter has been a rollercoaster ride, both personally and in how I experienced the Triduum this year. It’s not a given,...
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