National Catholic Reporter Conversation Cafe journal

WYD: Benedict the theologian offers seminar on Spirit

John L Allen Jr Daily — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:47:45 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

As pope, Benedict XVI is many things: A universal pastor, a media superstar, a voice of conscience in world affairs, and the leader of the 1.1-billion strong Catholic Church. As Joseph Ratzinger, however, this particular pope is also a world-class theologian, with decades of classroom experience in rendering complex ideas accessible to young minds.

That side of the pope’s personality stood out in especially clear fashion tonight, as Benedict XVI delivered what amounted to a theological exposition on the Holy Spirit – sometimes, as the pope put it, the “neglected person of the Blessed Trinity” – to a throng of young pilgrims estimated at 235,000 gathered for a vigil at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.

WYD: Pope on sex abuse: 'I am deeply sorry'

John L Allen Jr Daily — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:28:21 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

Pope Benedict XVI today offered a direct apology for the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and religious, saying he is "deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured," assuring them that "as their pastor, I share in their suffering."

The pope said that sexual abuse deserves “unequivocal condemnation,” pointedly acknowledging the “shame” and “great pain” caused by the recent scandals in Catholicism. Twice, the pope referred to sexual abuse as an “evil.”

WYD: Benedict paints his own shade of green

John L Allen Jr Daily — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:53:03 -0400

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.

Pope Benedict XVI continued to paint his distinctive shade of green in Australia yesterday, repeatedly voicing environmental concerns while linking them to a broader range of Christian doctrines and moral teaching.

In a session with leaders of other religions held in the Chapter Hall of Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, the pontiff said religions have a unique capacity to foster “sacrifice and self-discipline,” including “a moderate use of the world’s goods.”

Searching for the hows, whys of sex abuse

John L Allen Jr Weekly — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:21:25 -0400

All Things Catholic by John L. Allen, Jr.
	Friday, July 18, 2008 - Vol. 7, No. 43

This week, Benedict XVI once again finds himself in a nation whose Catholic community has been rocked by repeated sexual abuse scandals, and once again the pope appears determined not to duck the issue. As he did in his mid-April trip to the United States, Benedict addressed the crisis before he even arrived, taking a question aboard the papal plane en route to Australia for World Youth Day.

(Coverage of World Youth Day can be found here: http://ncrcafe.org/blog/2682)

Forty years later, birth control decree remains controversial

Daily News Feed — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:30:41 -0400

By DANIEL BURKE, Religion News Service

Some say Pope Paul VI predicted the dangers of loosening sexual morals: widespread divorce, disease and promiscuity. Others say he cracked open a culture of dissent that has seeped into every corner of the church.

Either way, 40 years after Paul VI released Humanae Vitae on July 25, 1968, the papal encylical banning most forms of birth control continues to be a flashpoint in the Catholic Church.

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:22:00 -0400

The Peace Pulpit by Bishop Gumbleton	Sunday, July 13, 2008
Homily Archives	Weekly Homily

Not many Sundays ago, as we began the ordinary time of the year, the gospel writers, Matthew and Mark especially, showed us Jesus beginning his public life. We heard Jesus proclaim, "The reign of God is at hand. Change your lives." The reign of God is ready to break forth -- that's what Jesus was proclaiming -- a message of good news.

Now as we continue our reading of the Gospel of Matthew this year, we come to a part where Jesus begins to explain for us what the reign of God is, how we enter in to it, how we must live, how we must change our lives, if we really are going to enter in to the reign of God and be able to experience that reign come to its fullness within ourselves and ultimately at some point, the reign of God breaking forth and transforming our whole world, our whole universe.