How is the Pontiff Supreme?
The pope and the world’s bishops together make up one college of authority in the Church, known as the magisterium. In what way, then, can the pope be given the privilege of being called...
Category: Shackleton
Is the Trinity Three Distinct Persons in One?
When we speak of God the Father and his Son born, begotten and so on, we imply that the Father is the origin or source of the Son. Then we say the Holy Spirit...
Baptism and the Trinity
When was the formula in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit first used in the rite of baptism? Christ gave this command to the apostles: Go, therefore, make disciples of all...
The Holy Trinity Explained
The Trinity is a mystery. I tell this to my confirmation class, and try to explain it. What alarms me is that some have no idea that it means three Persons in one God....
Is There Evidence for Christ’s Peace?
As someone who feels depressed, can you give me hope? Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn...
How Can God Be Tempted?
Psalm 95 is often recited as the responsorial psalm during the liturgy. One verse refers to the way the Israelites tempted God in the desert: “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as on...
Burning Confessions? What’s That?
A priest asked us to put our sins in writing on paper when we went to confession. We got absolution, and then he took our written sins and burnt them all in public to...
Animal Sacrifices?
My son is upset because his Grade 9 catechism class and teacher were in favour of animal slaughter. Surely appeasing ancestors in this way is not Christian. Christ’s was the ultimate sacrifice, so other...
A Double Baptism?
A newborn baby is baptised by a deacon because it is not expected to live. It survives, and the deacon arranges for the sacrament of baptism to be completed later in a ceremony in...
Is Only Jesus the ‘Son of Man’?
Please explain the term Son of Man, often mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Does it refer to Jesus only? The term Son of Man is frequently used in the Old Testament to...
Saviour of the World?
I have become more aware than ever of the millions of human beings that people the earth. So many are obviously not Christian. Perhaps they have never heard of Christ nor do they care...
Foot-Washing Rite at Holy Thursday Mass
Guest Editorial by Michael Shackleton – The foot-washing ceremony on Holy Thursday is perhaps one of the most meaningful of the Sacred Triduum’s liturgical moments. It has been made even more significant now. –...
