Catholic Family Vignettes

Pope: Other denominations not true churches

Jews object to Latin rite's prayer for their conversion


Vatican: Non-Catholics 'wounded' by not recognizing pope

Pope's comments irrelevant to non-Catholics

Theo-con Pope tries to force all of us back to the Middle Ages

Spin, spin, spin...the inexhaustible fount of negative news being "spun" by the media is dizzying. Martyrdom for the faithful seems imminent!

All humor aside, it has not been my intention to delve too heavily into church politics, nor to give too much attention to those issues which fan the fires of controversy. I am, however, a bit concerned by the sheer volume of negative news and commentary regarding this extremely exciting, yet challenging time in Church history.

It seems as if our Holy Father has drawn a line in the sand, and we, the faithful, are being asked to step over in faith. The speculation regarding each individual diocese's response to the SP is all-consuming for members of the media, who wish to stir the muddy waters of discontent. Very little press is given to those who welcome or even hint at obedience to the directives of the Holy Father.

I have rejoiced and perhaps even gloated a bit, in the past few days over the recent documents from Rome that seemingly affirm a shift in the "tide." My email inbox has been overflowing with links to documents, headlines and commentary from a myriad of sources. There will never be enough time in the day to sufficiently peruse them all, and I simply lack the wisdom to expound upon them, leaving that job to the trained theologian or commentator.

And so I leave you with this: Charity, patience and temperance. Much will be said and done in the days to come. These documents are not an end unto themselves, but a beginning. I remain thankful to God for His great Wisdom and feel privileged to be alive during such interesting times!