Sir Stanley Spencer, a controversial artist in love with Jesus
Sir Stanley Spencer wanted to dedicate a painting to each day Christ spent in the wilderness, with the intention of exhibiting one every day of Lent, but he was unable to realise this unique project. He was a controversial artist, but animated by great faith, despite the many shadows that darkened his life. His Jesus in the wilderness is animated by a very popular, almost "naïve" and very carnal physicality.
- THE RECIPE: ETON MESS
Pro-Putin conservatives are victims of a cultural mistake
British historian Tim Stanley and columnist for The Telegraph explains to the Daily Compass why the idea of a post-Soviet Russia being a Christian bulwark against a secularised West has never been true: "Putin tried to restore Russia as it was around 1900". But at the same time it is wrong to think that Ukraine is fighting in the name of democracy: "The truth is they are fighting for their homes, their land and their families."
I believe in one God
The first article of the Creed presumes that God exists and also affirms the uniqueness and unity of God. This avoids two errors: polytheism and dualism on the one hand and monism on the other. The first commandment is the correlative of this article of faith: "You shall have no other God before me".
That “we” which invalidates Baptisms
Invalid Baptisms and sacraments also in the diocese of Phoenix, where a "creative" parish priest had decided to baptise with the formula "We" instead of "I". A substantial difference because it is not the community that baptises, but Christ Himself. These are the rotten fruits of the liturgical creativity of priests who appoint themselves lords over the sacred. But it is the faithful who pay the price.
Aggression and defence: what doctrine says about war
What does the Social Doctrine of the Church have to say about war? There is no right to a war of aggression, and even a war of defence is subject to very demanding criteria. War of aggression is always to be condemned and the right to legitimate defence is always to be confirmed. However, the latter must be proportional and there must be "well-founded conditions for success" in order to continue fighting.
The palliative society
The welfare state is evolving and giving way to a “palliative society”, which even promises to banish pain, including psychological pain. Abortion, unnatural tendencies, suicide... are anaesthetised. The palliative society can be authoritarian with the consent of citizens. We’ve already had the dress rehearsal with Covid. And now with bioengineering we risk transhumanism.
Ukraine, the 8 year ‘invisible’ war in Donbass
The war in Ukraine did not break out on 24 February 2022, but on 20 February 2014. First the annexation of Crimea, then the uprising of pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass caused a conflict which has cost thousands of casualties and almost two million refugees. A review of these eight years is essential to understand the reason for the current fighting.
The Baptism of Jesus according to van Scorel
Called to Rome by his compatriot Pope Adrian VI, the Dutchman Jan van Scorel is known, among other things, for the Lokhorst Triptych. Also of interest is his The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, in which the influence of artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael is evident.
Preserve, deepen and transmit Revelation
The Magisterium, which adds nothing extra to Revelation, takes two forms - Ordinary and Extraordinary - using two methods: solemn and non-solemn. The theme of infallibility concerns both the faithful ("in credendo") and the Pope ("in docendo"). This is when even the Ordinary and Extraordinary Magisterium becomes infallible.
ACN warns: "Religious freedom at risk in Ukraine"
The greatest risk to religious freedom in Ukraine is faced above all by the communities in the republics of Lugansk and Donetsk, recently recognised by the Russian Federation. In Crimea, before the Russian occupation, there were 50 religious organisations operating on the peninsula, while by 2019 their number had already dropped to nine. The Daily Compass interviews Alessandro Monteduro, director of the Italian section of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)
Dems’ defeat: abortion up to birth rejected
In a historic battle, the US Senate rejected (48-46) the Democrats' proposal to liberalise abortion up to birth and to wipe out the pro-life victories of recent decades. Joe Manchin (Dem) cast the deciding vote. Relief for pro-life groups. And Biden could not please the abortion lobby.
