Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 31

God’s Mercy for a Mass Murderer

Did you know that Rudolf Hoss– the Nazi commandant of Auschwitz returned to his Catholic faith at the end? Read the story here.

Make a Wish Religion

Some time ago I was speaking to someone about religion and happened to mention the possibility of going to hell. “Oh, I don’t believe in hell!” said this person. The implication was that because she didn’t believe in hell there was no such place. I’ve had the same thing with Protestant Christians who say quite [Read More...]

A Priest’s Priorities

Today is the Memorial of St John Vianney, the patron of parish priests, and it is a good time to be reminded of the parish priest’s priorities. If he is to be an alter Christus then he will try to do what Jesus did, and Jesus’ ministry consisted of four clear priorities. He taught the truth. He [Read More...]

Ten Things for Confused Conservative Catholics to Remember

From emails and conversations I have had, I am aware that there are a good number of conservative Catholics who are confused, bewildered and distressed by the current state of affairs in our country and in our church. They see the disastrous presidential candidates our system has produced and they wonder what on earth is [Read More...]

Catholic Women Deacons? Why Not?

  With the announcement today that Pope Francis has set up a commission to explore the possibility of women deacons, here are some thoughts on the matter. Throughout his pontificate the Pope has called for women to be granted more prominent roles in the church and for the Catholic church to continue to develop a [Read More...]

Can a Catholic Vote for Donald Trump?

After writing an opinion piece about Catholics voting for Hillary Clinton, someone asked me to write a similar article about Donald Trump. Can a Catholic vote for Donald Trump? Let’s think it through. What I find curious about supporters of Donald Trump is that they are eager to tell everyone Hillary’s terrible past. We are [Read More...]

Can a Catholic Vote for Hillary Clinton?

The question is very simple. Can a faithful Catholic vote for Hillary Clinton? But first, let’s get some things straight: First, my opinion doesn’t really matter. How I vote as an individual is my business. How you vote is your business. Second, don’t assume that a person’s criticism of one candidate means endorsement for their [Read More...]

Pope Benedict and the Coming Catholic Realignment

Why are so many Catholics disturbed, annoyed, restless, frightened and angry? It’s because we are going through a time of Catholic realignment. In the United States and the rest of the developed world we are experiencing a breakdown of the old Catholic tribalism that we have got used to over the last fifty years since the [Read More...]

America Today: Freedom and Bondage

Why are so many Americans in a condition of confusion, fear, suspicion, anger and rage? It is because of our disproportionate and disordered understanding of freedom. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom. Freedom Its like that is the only virtue Americans know about anymore. But freedom like all virtues, is a delicate, vulnerable and hard won thing, and [Read More...]

How Should a Catholic Vote in November?

Like the vast majority of Americans I am looking at the choices we have for president with a mixture of amazement, disgust and bewilderment. When there were so many experienced, smart, qualified and able men and women running for the Republican nomination how could we end up with this dangerous clown? Now that it is [Read More...]