One of the first things which struck me about the Qur’an the first time I read it was how it can suddenly and jarringly jump to a completely different scene,
I’ve often been told that the Torah and the Injil were only for the Jews. However, two problems: The Pickthall translation doesn’t hide it: He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad)
John Fontain recently debated David Wood on the Islamic Dilemma, which points out that the Qu’ran both affirms the Torah and Gospel while contradicting them. John has a rather different
Those who attempt to say that the Qur’an teaches the corruption of the earlier scriptures, often appeal to Qur’an 5:48, but this argument turns on the translation of the word
I’m reading through the Qu’ran one last time this year and wanted to follow along with a Tafsir. I discovered Quran Garden which was just the sort of thing I
The Qur’an claims that if it were not from God, there would be many contradictions in it. However, there is one Qur’anic verse which presents an inherent contradiction! In chapter
The sun sets in muddy spring (18:86) Semen comes from between backbone & ribs (86:6-7) Stars are missiles to shoot devils (67:5) If a fly lands in your drink, one
The Qur’an speaks about Allah helping the followers of Jesus and keeping them “uppermost”, but this presents a dilemma since, historically, this has to refer to Trinitarian Christians… which is
In today’s chapter we begin the actual story of The Great Divorce. Our protagonist, Lewis, finds himself in a grey town at twilight in the rain. He attaches himself to a queue at a bus stop and watches as people leave the line. Eventually the bus arrives and he begins his journey to his mysterious destination…
Earlier this week, I wrote a post on Facebook saying that I had spent the first few days of 2019 writing letters to different bishops, and invited others to do the same.
The purpose in writing these letters was to encourage our bishops to be fearless in the exercise of their office, to teach Catholic doctrine faithfully and to protect their flocks from physical and spiritual abuse, all the while being respectful of their office.
My friend Noelle asked me for an outline of what I wrote. Unfortunately, each letter had been different in content. However, I thought it might be helpful to post a synthesis of what I had written over the course of the different letters…
Your Excellency,
There is no sugar-coating it, the Church is in a state of crisis. Unfortunately, much of this relates to the laity’s wavering confidence in the episcopacy, as well as their faith in the upper echelons of the Church’s hierarchy. I am grieved to say that over the past year, both the sin and utter timidity of many, many bishops has continued to be on full display for all the world to see. The results of this have been devastating. Catholics are leaving the Church. Of those who remain, many are withdrawing their financial support. Those in RCIA are reconsidering their choice. Many souls are at risk.
If ever there was a time when the Church cried out for strong and fearless leadership, it is now. The flock need to see the faces of their shepherds and hear their voices. We need to be reassured that the Diocese is in good hands. We need to know that those who would prey on innocents will be swiftly removed and automatically reported to the secular authorities. Not only that, we need to have complete confidence that Catholic teaching will be upheld without exception in every parish, particularly in the extremely unpopular area of personal morality. We need to know that our shepherds will not cower in fear, but will defend us from the wolves.
St. Ignatius, on his way to execution in AD 107, wrote a letter to encourage his fellow bishop, Polycarp. I humbly offer these words to you as an encouragement to be fearless as you shepherd the Diocese over the coming year:
“The times call for you…as one tossed with tempest seeks for the haven, so that both you and those under your care may attain to God. Be sober as God’s athlete: the prize set before you is immortality and eternal life”
Thank you, your Excellency, for giving this letter your attention. You are in my prayers and I am always at your service. I look forward to hearing from you as to how I may assist in your effort to comfort and strengthen the Church.
