Thank you, President Trump!

Michie said:

Ortega is a dictator with a deep hatred for the Church.

Click to expand...

May God have mercy upon him!

Christianity should serve both elites and the people as one faithful. If the elites abandon their duty to God and nation, the answer is not compromise.​

Converts enter the Catholic Church because they believe it to be true, not just because of spiritual fluff and “feeling good”, but true, moral conviction. Coming from a Protestant background myself, many new Catholics expect American Catholicism to be clear and countercultural, but instead find chaos and confusion. They expect the Church to stand strong where the world has fallen apart, but sadly, it does not extend a lifeline.

Instead, we have seen something else entirely: a Catholicism that is often more interested in appeasing liberals than confronting them. There is no better example of this than Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, two of the most visible Catholic politicians in the country and two of the most persistent opponents of Catholic moral teaching in public life.

Continued below.

This is an excerpt of an interview conducted by John Yep of Catholics for Catholics with Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute regarding the statement issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announcing they were withdrawing from receiving federal grants to process illegal aliens. The full interview can be viewed here.

After a dramatic conversion to Christianity in the late 1970s, Bob Dylan translated his newfound faith into three of the most polarizing albums of his 63-year career. Over the course of two years, he released “Slow Train Coming” (1979), “Saved” (1980) and “Shot of Love” (1981). Although the Jewish-born Dylan had evoked biblical images and narratives in many songs before this period, these three albums of gospel music are explicit expressions of evangelical Christian devotion. While several songs from these albums evoke images of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, two in particular — from “Slow Train” and “Saved” — are especially fitting for Holy Week and Easter.

“Slow Train Coming”​

Continued below.

Church leaders in Israel are expressing outrage after Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a wave of airstrikes on Palm Sunday, with two of its missiles targeting Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City.

The Anglican Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs the hospital, condemned the attacks “in the strongest terms” in a statement on Sunday, reporting that a child who had been suffering from a head injury had “tragically died as a result of the rushed evacuation process,” which reportedly took place in under 20 minutes.

“The Diocese of Jerusalem is appalled at the bombing of the hospital now for the fifth time since the beginning of the war in 2023 — and this time on the morning of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week,” the statement reads. “We call upon all governments and people of goodwill to intervene to stop all kinds of attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions. We pray and call for the end of this horrific war and the suffering of so many.”

While no other deaths were reported as a result of the bombing, the Anglican diocese reported that the “twin strikes” had destroyed the hospital’s two-story genetic laboratory and damaged its pharmacy and emergency department buildings. The diocese also noted collateral damage in the surrounding area, including a nearby church.

Continued below.

The Trinitarian order was founded at the end of the 12th century to free persecuted Christians. Today, it continues to quietly and humbly assist those persecuted for their faith.

Among the bustling streets of Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood, a few steps from the Tiber River, stands one of Rome’s oldest basilicas, that of St. Chrysogonus, served by the Trinitarian order — officially known as the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives — since 1850. The basilica was built in memory of a Roman soldier who died a martyr after converting to Christianity.

Father Antonio Aurelio, vicar general of the Trinitarian order, explained with conviction in an interview with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, that “we were born to go to the dungeons.”

In a large hall, under the gaze of all the superior generals of the order whose portraits grace the room, Aurelio — wearing his unmistakable white habit with its blue and red cross — explained why the Trinitarian order marked a turning point in the Catholic Church.

Continued below.

A federal judge has denied an attempt by religious groups to halt the government’s policy of broadly allowing immigration officials to arrest suspected illegal immigrants at houses of worship.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich said in an April 11 memorandum opinion that the religious plaintiffs — which included the Mennonite Church, the Episcopal Church, the Friends General Conference, and several Jewish groups including the New York-based Rabbinical Assembly — had “not established a substantial likelihood” of success in their suit against the federal government.

The suit originally arose in February after the Department of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump rescinded Biden-era guidelines that required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to seek their superior’s approval before arresting people at or near “sensitive locations” such as churches, hospitals, or schools.

The groups argued that the revised policy was “substantially burdening the religious exercise” of their respective congregations and members, including through decreases in attendance.


Continued below.

Pornography websites are fueling the rise in child sex abuse by using algorithms to direct users to extreme material, desensitizing them to abuse and sexual assault, according to the Washington-based National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

Haley McNamara, NCOSE’s senior vice president of strategic initiatives and programs, says pornography websites utilize these algorithms to keep people engaged as they direct users to more and more extreme content.

“They’re trying to zero in on what you’re interested in,” the anti-sexual exploitation advocate told The Christian Post. “And unfortunately, we know that with even mainstream pornography, even on the front page, first-time users are exposed to scenes of sexual violence.”

Continued below.

A New Mexico man has been charged in connection to arson attacks on a Tesla dealership and an office of the state chapter of the Republican Party.

Federal prosecutors filed charges against Jamison Wagner, a 40-year-old resident of Albuquerque, last Saturday in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.

Wagner is accused of setting fires at the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom in Bernalillo in February and at the Republican Party of New Mexico Party Office in Albuquerque late last month, according to the court documents.

In the Tesla attack, two vehicles were damaged by fire. Additionally, graffiti was spraypainted on the building and some of the cars, which included the messages "Die Elon," "Tesla Nazi Inc" and "Die Tesla Nazi."

Continued below.

Valletta said:

Governor to send Guard to assist Albuquerque police with crime amid 'state of emergency'

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is sending dozens of National Guard troops to aid the Albuquerque Police Department, a move intended to free up officers to focus more on fighting crime

www.abqjournal.com

The progressive approach to crime just doesn't work. In the progressive city where I grew up, which has a light rail system deemed the most dangerous in the nation, they openly let homeless and drug users camp out at a major intersection and light rail stop. I know the area, it is just blocks away from where I lived. The all-woman City Council can have all of the "Crime Prevention Coordinators" and new safety groups they want yet they won't clear that area out.

Click to expand...

Do you actually read the stuff you post? Based on your other threads it doesn't seem like it. You always just seem to find some reporting about some incident and then try and make it partisan when it's just really not. What about this initiative is "conservative" assuming you think it was "progressive" before? I can only assume that because of your personal anecdote. And if that's the case it seems the "progressive" policing they were doing before this initiative was working:
They want to continue the trend by having unarmed guardsmen take over some of the administrative(? not sure that's the right word) functions that occupy an officers time that doesn't directly involve policing.

I'll also note that a Republican doesn't like the plan:


So... IS IT conservative vs progressive? Or is it just you not reading and\or understanding what you're posting with the seemingly express purpose of further riling up the left\right division?

So, what are you trying to say with this post? What point are you trying to make?

God used Bhumika's niece to introduce Bhumika to the saving knowledge of Christ- she went to church and gave her life to Christ in June 2022.

This story is not usual in the sense that it was Bhumika's children that rejected her for her faith- not her parents, older extended relatives, etc.

When she was back living with her sons they made her move out and disowned her for her faith in Christ. I'm so glad that faith in Christ is love and not a cult- I would never do that to my mum who is a new ager- fortune telling, reincartion, readings, etc but guess what- she is my mum!

Bhumika moved to a house and lives by herself- unheard of in such a culture and she struggles with day to day activities like food shopping because of her poor health.

Thankfully she has recieved help from her church family and Open Doors have helped her start a business she can run even with her poor health- praise God!

Her business is succesful- and she even now helps others!

Her favourite verse? One of mine when I became a new Christian- Matthew 28:20 "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

She also has a prayer request which is unusual as they usually ask for our prayers- she prays for all you readers!

What an inspiration Bhumika is and a great example of Christian family helping out- we cannot do the Christian walk alone, God made us to fellowship IN PERSON with other Christians!

Source:

Open Doors Prayer Diary March/April 2025

Login to view embedded media
8:03

Las Meninas was painted in the 17th century by Diego Velázquez, that much we know, but there are a dozen unknowns associated with it. From the mysterious mirror to the man in the doorway, the red vessel and the red emblem on the painter's own chest, there's much to be debated...

One interesting comment in the comment section:

I saw this painting in 1983 at the Prado. As I gazed upon it someone handed me a mirror and told me to turn around and view the painting by looking in the mirror. It came to life! Sort of 3D, with depth and aspects not visible when directly viewed. I am really surprised this is not mentioned.

When man ate of the Tree of Knowledge, the Adversary did not enter into man. Man just became aware that we and the entire universe was made up of opposites. Good and evil, necessary as all creation is comprised of opposites. We learned of dual nature, something other species seem unaware of. Rather than continuing to do the will of God which held these opposites in perfect order, we chose to upset the apple cart and choose for ourselves what we desired, throwing not only ourselves, but creation out of balance, even calling evil good and good evil when it suited us. We became takers rather than givers.

Without us, the universe would go back into balance but for some reason God sees us as salvageable. Our flesh is temporary but understanding (or lack of it) of the error we make in our selfishness, determines our usefulness to the Kingdom to come, a culture contrary to the world we have made in our own image. Jesus made it simple to come to God's wisdom over our own, with four duties for us to adhere to if we wished to proceed to the next level of consciousness. Put God's will first over our own will, thus loving all as self, acting in servitude to all in need, including enemies. Repent/change from our self-serving nature, and spread the Gospel of the Kingdom, a counter-culture which is clearly explained in the Lord's Prayer. His Kingdom will come and His will will be done in earth as it is in Heaven... not ours. We must return to servitude, not only to God but to each other. Tell that to the world and see how it reacts.

As Washington and Beijing clash over tariffs and influence, advocates worry that political prisoners like the Catholic media mogul could become pawns — or be forgotten entirely.

As relations between China and the United States become increasingly strained amid a trade war triggered by the Trump administration’s new tariffs, the fate of political prisoners in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland may hang in the balance.

For Jimmy Lai, the Catholic human-rights activist on trial for violating Hong Kong’s new security law, a trade war “presents challenges and potential opportunities,” Benedict Rogers, founder and trustee of Hong Kong Watch, told the Register.

“As tensions rise, it may make it more difficult to negotiate Jimmy Lai’s release, but it may present an opportunity for leverage that could be used to secure his release,” said Rogers. The 77-year-old Lai, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has spent more than five years in prison in solitary confinement.

“The United States should think creatively and certainly make his freedom a priority concern,” Rogers added. “It is vital that his case, and human rights in Hong Kong and China in general, do not get forgotten among the tariff war and the focus on economic policy.”

Continued below.

If you plan to see The Chosen: The Last Supper, season 5 of the hit series, currently in theaters, and you’re not familiar with the events of Holy Week, this post may be spoilery. Everyone else, fear not.

Definitely Not Boring​

When I saw season 4 in theaters last year — which ended just before Jesus’ (Jonathan Roumie) big entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday — at least one of the installments was a major slog, a real theatrical butt-numb-a-thon.


While I can’t help fidgeting my way through the back half of any 2-3-hour film experience that doesn’t at least offer an intermission, this time around, I was never bored.

That’s especially true of today’s 3-hour and 5-minute showing of the last three episodes of season 5, which culminates with the Garden of Gethsemane. I haven’t written yet about season 5, because I wanted to see the whole thing first.

Mostly, I wanted to see how the show handled the part of the Last Supper that Catholics consider as the institution of the Eucharist.

The Bread of Life Discourse Was Missing From Last Season​

Continued below.

Say it aint so said:

No golfing. Well, that's a first.
But really, every day it's a "what now?"

Click to expand...

I, for one, am all in favour of him golfing as much as he can for his entire term...

Let's face it, he does less damage to the US that way.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)

By appointing a progressive “female theologian” to a position of responsibility where she will be expected to oversee the teaching provided in Church-run universities around the world, the Holy See is sending a negative signal at a time when priestly formation appears to be one of the main issues in the vocations crisis affecting an entire segment of the Catholic world.
While Pope Francis appears to have entered a long period of convalescence, some consider it a transitional period. The progressive agenda at work under the current Pontificate is far from slowing down.

On March 21, 2025, the Holy See announced the appointment of Bénédicte Lemmelijn, a Belgian theologian and Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), to the Scientific Council of the Holy See Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of the Quality of Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO).

For the record, the mission of AVEPRO—a body created by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007—is to ensure that ecclesiastical institutions maintain internationally recognized academic standards in teaching, research, and service.

Continued below.

A Roman Catholic priest in Illinois has been reinstated to the ministry after being cleared of an allegation he engaged in sexually abusive behavior decades ago.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago sent letters to multiple parishes on Monday announcing that Father Matthew Foley was found not guilty by an investigation that involved civil authorities and a denominational independent review board. These parishes are where Foley had served in various ministry roles over the past few decades.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, wrote in his letter to St. Gall Parish that “the IRB today determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe Father Foley sexually abused the person making the accusation.”

Continued below.

FireDragon76 said:

I don't know. Jesus was obviously a person of his time as well as being a divine figure, to say otherwise is to deny his essential humanity. He had to work within the assumptions he was given through his religious upbringing. I think it's less important to try to get inside Jesus' head, than it is to emulate what Jesus said and did, and try to think about how that impacts our own discipleship.

The Judaism Jesus inherited was complicated- I think many immature or intellectually naive Christians underestimate that. Even many Jews since Jesus time have struggled with the meaning of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), which is why there is a rich history of interpretation that is in itself a discipline to study. I think Jesus takes the whole of his tradition and reduces it to a few touchstones: Love God, love your neighbor as yourself, defend the cause of the most vulnerable, etc., which open up the tradition to different interpretations in different situations, and don't present the kind of formulaic, legalistic practice that alot of more conservative Christians would like to see.

Click to expand...

You make a good point. I agree that following Jesus’ teaching and example is paramount, and that it is not at all a simple formula that looks the same for all people.

I am also aware of at least some of the complexity and variety of biblical interpretation in the second-temple period that Jesus was a part of.

But I definitely have a blind spot at times regarding the implications of the full humanity of Jesus that we profess. To say that I find the incarnation difficult to understand is an understatement.

The Coming Home Network will host its first-ever “clergy convert conference” next month to foster fellowship among former Protestant and other non-Catholic pastors and ministers who have become Catholic or are preparing to enter the Church.

In partnership with the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, the network will hold the weekendlong retreat May 30–June 1 in Steubenville, Ohio. The event will be “focused on fellowship among clergy converts, encouragement on the ongoing journey of faith, and on reigniting the fire for living out and sharing the Gospel now as Catholics.”

The conference is scheduled to feature speakers from different religious backgrounds, including Marcus Grodi, former Presbyterian pastor, founder of the Coming Home Network and longtime host of the EWTN program “The Journey Home.”

The Ohio-based Coming Home Network is an organization with the mission “to help non-Catholic Christians, clergy and laity, discover the truth and beauty of Catholicism and to make the journey home to full communion with the Catholic Church.”

Continued below.

Catholic advocates in Australia are warning lawmakers there of the risk that pornography exposure poses to children, including the threat of normalizing forms of violent sexual behavior among young people.

The Parliament of New South Wales recently began public hearings for its inquiry into the “impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health.”

The Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Issues says the inquiry will particularly focus on “age of first exposure to pornography and impacts of early exposure to pornography” as well as porn’s “impacts on body image” and “the impact of exposure to violent and/or misogynistic pornography on children, teenagers, and young adults.”

Advocates have been warning for years of the detrimental effects of pornography, including the harm it does to young people who consume it. Ubiquitous internet access and universal smartphone access has allowed porn to proliferate over the past several decades and has given children significant access to it.

Continued below