Must the Afflicted Fast in Lent?
What about invalids and the physically challenged who live with pain and hardship? Are they bound to observe the Lenten strictures of fasting and abstinence? I hope not. They have enough to contend with! ...
Author: Michael Shackleton
Why Do Some Reject Papal Primacy?
Browsing through the Internet, I am surprised at the number of Christian websites that contradict the Catholic Church’s understanding of the intent of Matthew 16:18, “You are Peter and on this rock I will...
What Cloth Must Go On The Altar?
A sacristan recently told me about a priest who refuses to cover the altar with a full-sized cloth because he doesn’t like “fancy decorations”. I was brought up to believe that the altar must...
Is Calling Priests ‘Father’ Out Now?
A priest I know encourages his parishioners not to call him “Father” but to address him by his first name instead. I find this awkward because I respect him as a priest and pastor...
Sin, Confession and Penance
As a sinner, I find myself confessing the same sins repeatedly. I have discovered that the priest gives a variety of penances for the same sin. This makes me wonder. Sin is an act...
We Are Saints
Guest Editorial by Michael Shackleton Celebrating the memory of the great saints of the Church is an annual time to be happy, as it is on All Saints Day, which in South Africa is...
Enthusiasm and Enthusiasts
Guest Editorial by Michael Shackleton Saint Ambrose, the fourth-century bishop of Milan, coined the phrase “Ubi Petrus ibi Ecclesia” (Where Peter is, the Church is). He expressed it within the Church’s knowledge that...
Understanding the First Chapters of Genesis
Genesis 4:17 says that Cain, the son of Adam and Eve, had a wife. Where did she spring from, considering that up to that point there had been on earth only Cain, his slain...
Do We Sin When We Don’t fast?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells me that the Precepts of the Church have an obligatory character (2041). I can understand that I am obligated to attend Sunday Mass because God commands me...
Has the Church’s Stance Changed on Gay Sex?
The following two incidents indicate that the Catholic Church no longer regards homosexual acts as opposed to homosexual inclinations as sinful: the statement by Pope Francis when asked about this issue some time ago:...
How Do Saints Hear Our Prayers?
As God is omniscient, I can understand that he would be able to “hear” prayers whether they are vocalised or not. However, does the same apply to Our Lady and the saints? Can they...
Why Do Our Bodies Need Resurrection?
In the Creed we say we believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. I believe this, but I sometimes wonder if I am being silly in asking why we will need...
