Should you kneel before the Pope

They kneel before the Pope to receive Holy Communion.That is wonderful.At the same Mass they do not kneel before Priests.Surely we kneel to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion.We should kneel to receive before Popes,Priests and,yes,Extraordinary Ministers.

Catholicism and Mental Health

It would seem that many people are looking for Catholic Psychiatrists.The number of orthodox Catholic Psychiatrists in the UK is few.Given that a psychiatric illness is as serious as heart disease,it is important for the person to find medical help-Catholic or not.Patients often experience a sense of feeling vulnerable.However,Psychiatrists are only experts on mental health.They are not in a position to challenge the core beliefs of a Catholic.Much the same applies to Psychologists and Counsellors.

Paedophile Priests in the Catholic Church

The truth is now out:there is no paedophile crisis.The vast majority of victims have been adolescent males.Bishops,please take note.

Grou and the love of neighbour

Fr grou S J was a tremendous director of souls.He notes that the love of neighbour belongs to the Natural Law.So why did Our Lord refer to it as a new commandment?Because we are called to love as Jesus loves.He died for us when we were His enemies.He prayed for our eternal salvation.We are called to sacrifice everything for the salvation of souls-friends and enemies alike.As I write this I hear that a prominent atheist who said some unpleasant things about the Pope prior to his visit to the UK has died.We are separated by our beliefs.We are united by our humanity.

Eastern Orthodoxy and the Catholic Faith

My last blog requires some clarification.I was trying to argue that the Church deepens Her understanding of Doctrine frequently as a result of heresy.The Real Presence of Our Lord was denied.The Church responded by using the term Transubstantiation.As Newman noted the Church develops her understanding over time.One could argue that time has stood still in Eastern Orthodoxy-partly because of persecutions over the centuries.

Conversation with an Orthodox Christian

I mean Eastern Orthodox.He said that the Catholic Church has defined doctrine too precisely.He gave the example of Transubstantiation.My response was that the Eastern Church was also very precise about definitions-on the Trinity for example.The Eastern Orthodox Church has been less precise since breaking away from Rome-precisely.

Being critical of Bishops

As one new to blogging,it is interesting to know that blogs that do not receive comments still get read.Yes,one of my previous blogs should have read Saint Thomas and the second way.I have been asked if it is right to be critical of bishops when they teach error in public. Saint Thomas answered yes.However,there are ways and means:there is no need to get personal.A spirit of bitterness has been a serious failure of orthodox Catholics.