The Bucha massacre and warmongering
If the desire for truth were the main issue, an independent international commission should be set up immediately to determine responsibility for the Bucha massacre. But the desire to use this episode to escalate the war and get Europe more involved seems to have gained the upper hand.
LGBTQ: Cardinal Marx heads latest assault on Catechism
A coordinated attack has been undertaken in order to change the Catechism with regard to homosexuality, and the theatre chosen for the battle is the Synod on Synodality. In a long interview, Cardinal Marx openly supports the necessity to modify doctrine in order to legitimise homosexual acts, while on April 3, Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod, referred directly to an American LGBTQ group in order to lend it legitimacy.
Northern Ireland, elections exclude "Catholic" vote
The Northern Ireland Assembly is up for renewal on May 5, but the two main nationalist parties, Sinn Féin and SDLP, have already turned their backs on Catholics: they not only support abortion and gay marriage, but are in favor of a law that promotes state schools penalising Catholic schools. Yet, the number of those electing not to vote is on the increase.
The healing of the lepers, an under-represented miracle
One of the most impressive but least represented miracles of the Lord Jesus is the healing of the ten lepers. The fact, however, is splendidly depicted in an illuminated codex: the Golden Codex of Echternach, now in the German National Museum.
Sins against the virtue of hope
Despairing of salvation and the presumption of salvation are the two main sins against the virtue of hope. Lust, gluttony and greed lead to despair; vainglory and pride lead us to believe that we can be forgiven without repentance.
Consecration to Maria: it is late, but not too late
A careful reconstruction of the messages and letters of Sister Lucia assists us in understanding that the Consecration of Russia to the Sacred Heart of Mary may be late in coming, and that therefore the errors of Russia have been spread throughout the world, but at the same time, it may still succeed in diminishing this time of trial.
The deception of war driven by ideals
Catholics too are fascinated by the opposing ideal motivations of the war in Ukraine: Western values of freedom against Russian totalitarianism, or the struggle of a Russian Christian leader against the New World Order. But it is neither; the reality is much more down to earth...
Biden is irritating Moscow and damaging Europe
Biden has made too many inappropriate affirmations regarding Putin for them to be attributed exclusively to his lack of diplomacy: it seems their objective is to purposely irritate Moscow, distancing the moment of possible negotiations and therefore risking the acceleration of a potential conflict which threatens to involve Europe. Once again, the divergence of interests which separates the USA from Europe is emerging, together with the revelation of the mediocrity of the EU governing class, apparently willing to permit itself to be placed under outside management.
The people, the Pope, and Mary: the consecration rejoins together heaven and earth
With last Friday’s solemn Act of Consecration, after an intense penitential liturgy in which the Holy Father asked God's forgiveness in the name of all, there was a "rejoining" of Heaven and earth. The Church, the world, Russia, and Ukraine are now the property of Mary, who approaches the throne of God as our Advocate. The Act performed yesterday - the Consecration, the Communion with the bishops, the historical reasons - matches the modalities requested by Our Lady. And it is from this objective fact, with the invitation to return to God, that we must start again.
The only painting signed by Cecco, Caravaggio's model
Francesco Boneri, known as Cecco del Caravaggio, was the master's apprentice, but also his servant and model. Few people know his name, but everyone knows his face. He is the Saint John the Baptist, the Saint Matthew, and the face of many other protagonists of the genius' paintings. But he was also a painter. With only one signed painting: an Expulsion of the Merchants from the Temple, which is worth a visit to Berlin.
