Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 19

On Popes and Presidents

Pope Francis didn't look too happy to see Donald Trump this morning. For that matter, if you look at the old pictures, he wasn't too happy to meet Barack Obama, either.

In Manchester Still Falls the Rain

Why is there such madness, hatred and meaningless violence?

Renewal in the Church: Send My Roots Rain

I remember as an Anglican priest Archbishop George Carey launched a big initiative called “The Decade of Evangelism.” It was more like “The Decay of Evangelism.” It was a big flop. From time to time in every church the leaders feel they must give evangelism and renewal the old college try. They form committees and [Read More...]

Church of Nice or Church of Nasty?

There is much disparaging blather about the modern Catholic Church being the “Church of Nice” but what’s the alternative? Church of Nasty? The problem with these two extremes is that they really do exist and they reveal the faults of the two sides of Catholicism. The modernists are the Church of Nice while the traditionalists [Read More...]

God in the Details

The Catholic Church will sometimes seem to you to be full of human failure, incompetence, futility, fighting and frailty. But there is great treasure hidden in that muddy field.

When is Apostolic Succession Valid?

Many Anglicans–especially members of  the breakaway groups–seem to think that apostolic orders are like pedigrees for dogs: if you have the paperwork to prove it your doggie is a show dog. But apostolic succession is more than the paperwork. Anglicans like to point to the fact that Church of England bishops have had their orders [Read More...]

Cardinal Coccopalmerio on Anglican Orders

Deacon Kandra reports here that Cardinal Coccopalmerio has suggested that Anglican orders may not be “absolutely null and utterly void” as declared by Pope Leo XIII. In a recent book he writes, “When someone is ordained in the Anglican Church and becomes a parish priest in a community, we cannot say that nothing has happened, that [Read More...]

Fatima and the Rosary

Did you know that the full title of Our Lady of Fatima is “Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fatima”? This is why at Our Lady of the Rosary Church we will be marking this year with special Masses and prayers. The Holy Father has granted the opportunity for  plenary indulgences for all those [Read More...]

How to Be a Catholic Tree Hugger

The Holy Father Pope Francis exhorted us all to be better stewards of the earth’s resources, and that is not only good Catholicism. Its good common sense. However, has anybody else noticed how Catholics who are keen on Earth Day seem to be taking their cues not from our Catholic tradition–which has a pretty good [Read More...]

Renewal, Roots and Rain

“Mine O Thou Lord of Life. Send my roots rain.” wrote G.M.Hopkins in a poignant sonnet that voiced his disappointment with life. It’s here and worth a read. It came to mind when I was pondering from where true renewal comes in the Church. I’m now in my sixties and I’ve seen a new idea, [Read More...]