Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 58

Don’t Be Scared of Spirituality

My latest blog post for National Catholic Register is here. It analyzes why we’re sometimes a bit leery of spirituality. Why is it that among ‘conservative Catholics’ there seems to be so little interest in spirituality? We’re big on apologetics. We’re big on dogma. We’re big on the moral teaching of the Church. We’re big [Read More...]

Is Pope Francis Setting the Stage for Further Reform?

In the wake of the liberal defeat in the Synod of the Family a narrative is emerging that goes like this: Pope Francis, the great reformer, has been stymied in his attempts to allow divorced and remarried Catholics to come to communion. The harsh, old judgmental conservatives, who were all appointed by John Paul and [Read More...]

Shock Horror!! Corruption in the Vatican!

Two people have been arrested at the Vatican for leaking information about alleged corruption in the Vatican. This report recounts the sensational news that is about to be published in two new books, one by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi. Nuzzi’s 2012 best-seller, “His Holiness,” based on leaked papal correspondence detailing corruption, infighting and intrigue in [Read More...]

Eyewitness Report from the Exorcism House

Anyone who saw the “exorcism” TV show last night will probably agree with Deacon Kandra’s report here in which he quotes the review from Variety. Frankly, the producers seemed to squander an opportunity with their taped packages, which relied heavily on over-the-top dramatic recreations, which looked pretty pallid compared to clips from the movie. Given that most people are familiar [Read More...]

How to Spot the Sugar Bully

My latest blog post over at National  Catholic Register analyzes a phenomenon I call “sugar bullies” Sugar bullies are everywhere in our society. They push for progressive causes in schools, in politics, in business and in the Church. The sugar bullies appeal is one of total sentimentality. The sugar bully manipulates you by trying to [Read More...]

Ten Reasons Not to Watch “Exorcism Live!”

  Exorcism? It’s real. It’s ugly. You don’t want to go there. I witnessed a person being delivered from the bondage of Satan once. She had been involved with a witch’s coven. It was the only brush I’ve had with real exorcism, and believe me. If you had seen what I have seen you would [Read More...]

Relics of Saints for All Saints

At Our Lady of the Rosary Church this All Saints Weekend we have the opportunity to view and venerate the first class relics of twelve saints: St Stephen Pope St Gregory the Great St Bernard of Clairvaux St Maria Goretti St Margaret Mary Alacoque St Therese of Lisieux St Theresa of Avila St Catherine Laboure [Read More...]

Confession: The Pathway to Mercy

Am I disturbed about all the talk about mercy? You bet I am. This is not because I am opposed to the church being the agent of God’s mercy, but because I am in favor of it. I’m in favor of it big time. I’m glad the pope has announced the year of mercy. I’m [Read More...]

Mercy, Mercy Me. Things Ain’t What They Used to Be

I’m having problems with the present talk about mercy in the church. Of course I don’t have problems with the Divine Mercy, but the way some churchmen and the press are using the concept of mercy to twist the Catholic Church’s teaching and practice. Consider this headline: Cardinal Wuerl: The Catholic Church is moving from [Read More...]

From the Fury of Liberal Intellectuals…

…Good Lord Deliver Us. My latest blog post over at National Catholic Register expresses my opinion about the attack on my friends and fellow converts Ross Douthat and Edward Pentin by a gang of elitist intellectual bullies. One of the things in which I rejoice is that the Catholic Church’s direction is determined by the [Read More...]