Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 61

The Catholic Church: Never Changing and Ever Changing

As the synod meets in Rome there is much talk about the Catholic Church changing. The reason the Catholic Church is still here after 2,000 years is that she has not changed according to every fashion that comes along. The Catholic Church’s role is not to adapt to the fashions and ideologies of the world, but to [Read More...]

Catholic Women Deacons? Why Not?

  Over at CRUX I weigh in on the question raised by Archbishop Dubrocher that the Church ought to consider ordaining women to the diaconate. Therefore, the evidence from the New Testament and the early Church could provide arguments for women being ordained as deaconesses. As the order of permanent deacon was re-established in modern [Read More...]

Our Lady of Rosary Victories

Fr Steve Grunow gives an excellent outline here of the history of today’s feast. It’s all rooted in the great Battle of Lepanto in 1571 when the course of world history was changed. He hints at one of the facts that I related to the children at our school Mass today–the fact that if the [Read More...]

Liberal Lobbyists? Remember Leo

My latest blog post for National Catholic Register is here What progressives can’t seem to get into their head is that the Catholic Church is not simply another political agency like the United Nations, the European Union or some Congress or Parliament. The Pope, Bishops and priests of the Catholic Church are not for sale. [Read More...]

Worried About the Church? Become a Child

I’ll be honest. I’m tired of the grumbling, grousing, griping and gossip. Why are there so many Catholics who are down on Pope Francis, biting their nails over the Synod on the Family and searching the skies for signs of the world’s end? To be sure we live in uncertain times. Read history. When were [Read More...]

Is Catholicism About to Split?

My latest article for CRUX examines Marquette theologian Daniel Maguire’s suggestion that Catholicism might split into three branches: Traditionalist, Magisterial and Progressive I agree with Maguire that these three tribes can be discerned within American Catholicism. Where I disagree is that there can be any formalized arrangement that establishes three separate groups. The three groups exist [Read More...]

Is Comedy Divine?

My article for Imaginative Conservative this week reflects on the need for laughter in the face of the gathering dark. Let’s get theological. If we’re created in the image of God and we are able to laugh, then does God laugh? Is comedy divine? I’m convinced of it. Because he sees how all things work [Read More...]

How “Mea Culpa” is a Cure All

“My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault” is what we will soon say in the Confiteo. I know, I know. We will be blamed for dishing out the guilt and making people feel bad, but I think it is going to be refreshing–and here’s why: Our whole culture is awash with the pop psychology [Read More...]

Has the World Gone Pope Crazy?

A couple of priest friends of mine–I’ll call them Father Gary and Father Larry– who are cradle Catholics– were chuckling about the Pope’s visit last week. “Everybody’s crazy about this pope.” Fr Larry said. “Liberals think he’s wonderful. Conservatives think he’s terrible.” “That’s right.” Fr Jerry pitched in, “Then the Pope talks about the devil, says same [Read More...]

The Power of a Positive Pope

My article for Aleteia this week focusses on the positive message of Pope Francis. To spend all one’s time, therefore lamenting and lambasting evil is not actually the best way to overcome evil. The best way to overcome evil is to build up all that is beautiful, good and true. This is the positive way [Read More...]