By Liz Dodd in The Tablet, 31 May 2019 Ruth Kelly pictured at St Mary's University, Twickenham Catholic schools and universities are kept from their task of moral formation by the “immense” theological illiteracy of British society, former education minister Ruth Kelly has said. Kelly, Pro Vice-Chancellor at St Mary's University, Twickenham, told a prize-giving…
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Why Jürgen Klopp keeps smiling through triumph and disaster
By the Reverend John Root in THE TIMES, 1 June 2019 Jürgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, who play Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Champions League tonight, has openly professed his Christian faith. Explaining the impact of his upbringing in a Lutheran home, he says: “There is nothing so important to me that…
Women Deacons 101: Final Exam
By Phyllis Zagano in The National Catholic Reporter (USA), 21 May 2019 The questions below are related to your reading and study on the question of women deacons. You may consult your notes regarding your personal examination of ancient liturgies, historical documents, epigraphical evidence (tombstones), frescos, mosaics, and early literary descriptions of ministry by women. Please…
2004 quote on ‘pro-life’ versus ‘pro-birth’ goes viral
by Heidi Schlumpf in The National Catholic Reporter (USA), 23 May 2019 Screenshot of Gigi Hadid's Instagram post A recent Instagram post earned supermodel Gigi Hadid nearly a half a million likes, but it wasn't a photo of herself or of the latest fashion trend. It was a quote from Benedictine Sr. Joan Chittister on the importance…
Homily, Sixth Sunday of Easter (C) 2019
In the Gospel text for today’s Mass (John 14:23-29) we hear Jesus promising his disciples at the Last Supper – in part of a long farewell discourse - that after he left them God would send them an ‘Advocate’. Although he would be physically absent – because he was ‘going to the Father’ in heaven…
Homily, Fifth Sunday of Easter (C) 2019
The Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, who died in February this year, had a film career that spanned over 50 years. Most of us may never have heard of him. However, some will be familiar with one of his roles, for which he is now best known, because of a You Tube video meme that sprang…
Inhumane Treatment
Leading Article in THE TIMES, 18 May 2019 The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. There are few more vulnerable than children suffering from serious mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism. That makes our report today into the way that some vulnerable children are…
Obituary: Jean Vanier 1928-2019
By Maggie Ferguson in THE TABLET, 7 May 2019 Jean Vanier was a spiritual giant. Those who lived and worked with him spoke of his almost palpable holiness; many considered him a living saint. He was unmoved by such accolades. Profoundly humble, what he longed for was to help people to know and live…
Homily, Fourth Sunday of Easter 2019
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday because the Gospel and other Scripture readings for Mass use the image of a shepherd to describe God’s care of us. Christ is the Shepherd who risked everything to protect us and ensure that we have the best possible relationship with a loving God.…
Homily, Third Sunday of Easter (C) 2019
The Gospel Reading for Mass today – John 21:1-19 - describes the first meeting between Peter and Jesus after the resurrection. The last time they had seen each other was when Jesus had been arrested and Peter betrayed him three times. In betraying Jesus, Peter was no different from Judas who also betrayed Jesus. Yet,…
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