Religious orders after Vatican II
Religious life, it is said, is in crisis. And, some say, it’s Vatican II that caused all the trouble! Let’s...
Egan
How the bishops’ job descriptions changed
Many years ago I read a book titled Bishops – But What Kind? It was a collection of essays by Catholic, Orthodox,...
Ordained ministry renewed
Although it has been seen primarily as a “pastoral” council, Vatican II had a dramatic impact on ordained ministry. It...
Education for freedom
Youth Day on June 16 can all too easily be reduced to just another holiday commemorating yet another figure or...
Unity in Christian diversity
Vatican II had a lot to say about the scandal of divided Christianity, indeed a whole decree (Unitatis Redintegratio, 1964)...
Mary and Christian unity
‘Catholics worship Mary, not Jesus,” you hear many Christians say, particularly evangelical and Pentecostals. “No we don’t,” we reply. But...
Church and the workers
Responding to the “new” question of workers’ rights and organised trade unionism in the 19th century did not come easily...
Breakthrough: Saved by Faith
Many centuries ago, a pope who was trying to build St Peter’s basilica in Rome started selling indulgences – literally...
How the Church embraced Judaism
Prejudices – such as racism, sexism and homophobia, to name but three – die hard, not least those that seem...
