Is it right to fear God? What is the difference between a destructive fear and a “holy trepidation”? An Advent homily by Fr Stephen Wang: Look around you at the chapel walls. Look at the […]
RECENT ARTICLES
The Disciples’ Call: Theologies of Vocation from Scripture to the Present Day
A new book of essays about the theology of vocation, edited by Fr Christopher Jamison, published by Bloomsbury. Here is the publisher’s blurb: There is currently no shared language of vocation among Catholics in the […]
Why western liberal adulation risks distorting the truth about Pope Francis
‘Pope idol’ is the headline above the Sunday Times‘ informative profile of the ‘Francis effect’ — the term the media are using to sum up the invigorating, renewing effect of his papacy. The headline captures his […]
Communicating the faith to a secular world: ‘it’s not about us it’s about them’
The best talk I heard at the Christian New Media Conference was by Sheridan Voysey, who was involved in setting up and hosting the Open House radio programme in Australia. The key was to follow […]
Huge ‘Pope Francis effect’ still felt in terms of Mass attendance and confessions
This report is from John Allen at the National Catholic Reporter. One of Italy’s best known sociologists of religion says more than half the country’s pastors report an increase in attendance at Mass and the […]
Gravity: a disappointing film; but a thought-provoking spiritual meditation
Don’t believe the hype. Gravity is not a ground-breaking film in any way. Yes, it’s well made. It takes the risk – for a Hollywood blockbuster – of allowing some moments of poetry and silence. But […]
What is the single most important predictor of a group’s effectiveness?
If a group is going to work well together – any group at all – what is the single most important factor that will influence its effectiveness? You might be surprised. I was intrigued by […]
Archbishop Vincent Nichols: Homily for the Mass for the Victims of the Typhoon Haiyan
Westminster Cathedral – Friday 15 November 2013 My brothers and sisters, this evening we gather to pray for all who have lost their lives or been caught up in the horrific devastation caused by typhoon Haiyan, […]
The relationship between beauty and faith: contemporary art comes to Brentwood Cathedral
From 1 – 23 December, Brian Whelan’s new work, the Brentwood Cross, will be on display in Brentwood Cathedral, Essex. With its rainbow-burst colours, child-like playfulness and vividly realised depictions of Biblical scenes, this work will attract a […]
How Christians can use the New Media
It was good to be at the Christian New Media Conference 2013 on Saturday. I couldn’t stay on for the award ceremony in the evening, but if you want to see a list of the […]
Marriage isn’t for you – it’s for the other person
Thought-provoking thoughts about marriage and love from Seth Adam Smith: Having been married only a year and a half, I’ve recently come to the conclusion that marriage isn’t for me. Now before you start making […]
Reason, Morality, and Law: The Philosophy of John Finnis
John Keown, one of the Jericho Tree contributors, talks about his new co-edited volume on renowned legal philosopher, and leading authority on the law and ethics of medicine, John Finnis. Why did you decide to take on this […]
The perspective that faith brings to life
For many people, faith is seen as the way of the simpleton. If a believer doesn’t understand something, then instead of doing the hard work of investigation, one can simply say, ‘What a mystery,’ all […]
Pope appoints Rector of Allen Hall Seminary Mgr Mark O’Toole as new Bishop of Plymouth
Pope Francis has appointed as the new Bishop of Plymouth, Monsignor Mark O’Toole, until now Rector of Allen Hall Seminary in London. Mgr O’Toole’s episcopal ordination will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 28 January […]
Biblical perspectives on Movember and our love affair with facial hair
If you have spotted more moustaches than usual of late, it’s probably because we are now officially in the month of Movember. It’s the month when guys are encouraged to “grow their mo” and raise […]
The Creed as a summary of the Holy Scriptures and a mustard seed of faith
Following on from Fr Martin Boland’s recent post about the Creed, see this beautiful text from St Cyril of Jerusalem about how ‘this brief statement of the faith keeps in its heart, as it were, […]
This Saturday 9 Nov: a day with the new ecclesial movements and communities, ‘Many Streams – One River’
This Saturday 9 Nov: a day with the new ecclesial movements and communities, ‘Many Streams – One River’. Taking place in Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London. See the website here. For booking info see here. […]
Young Adults (18‐35) Advent Retreat, 29 November to 1 December, Worth Abbey Benedictine Monastery, Sussex
The Return of the King Young Adults (18‐35) Advent Retreat Friday 29th November – Sunday 1st December @ Worth Abbey Benedictine Monastery, Sussex Talks – Space & Stillness – Prayer – Friendship A retreat to […]
The attempt to impose abortion-on-demand via Brussels
The European Parliament recently voted against an attempt to make abortion a ‘human right’ in the EU. So far, so reassuring. But the margin was narrow. And the debate exposed the growing hostility to freedom of conscience […]
How to keep your faith at university
How to keep your faith at university: a homily by Fr Stephen Wang, given at Newman House Catholic Chaplaincy.
The extraordinary power hidden within the Creed we profess each Sunday
Millions of Catholics do it every Sunday. In the middle of Mass, we profess our faith in the Creed. Now, maybe it’s just Brentwood Cathedral, but when I look out at my congregation reciting the […]
