Flashes
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Healing exclusion in the Church
Three witnesses — Doyle, Zuba and Martin — reveal how love can overcome exclusion. Their stories show the Church at its best: offering mercy and acceptance where others offer judgment. “See how good, how pleasant it is for God’s people to live together as one.” Psalm 133
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Liturgical antiquarianism by stealth?
The Second Vatican Council’s Sacrosanctum Concilium urged renewal of the liturgy for active, conscious participation. It insisted that symbols be clear, direct, and meaningful. Yet in practice today, many rituals risk reversing that vision, introducing complexity where simplicity was intended, and creating distance rather than engagement.
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The need for creeds—reimagining Nicaea
Creeds are not museum pieces. Without reinterpretation, their power wanes. Francis’ short statement reminds us that doctrine isn’t just preservation—it’s proclamation, shaped anew by every generation that dares to believe in a God still active in human history.
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Tailor-made mission
To be truly catholic today means empowering the local church, listening to its context, and embracing its authority to act. Mission begins—and must be discerned—right where the people of God live and serve.
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When Catholic mission moved at a crawl
In the 16th century, it could take years for messages between Rome and Asia to arrive — if they arrived at all. Local missionaries made critical decisions without central guidance. Faster communications give rise to centralised authority.
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Vatican to village
The Synodal vision must stretch from local communities to the highest Vatican offices. It’s not just about what happens in Rome—it’s about transformation everywhere the Church is present.
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Stories that shape lives
When people share stories of change, they often whisper encouragement. Such stories remind us that life is not fixed; it can shift, grow, and surprise. They open the door to hope and show us how to glimpse possibilities beyond ourselves.
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Deathonomics: Russia’s new economy
Russia’s war economy has lifted many out of poverty, but at a devastating cost. Families of the dead receive enormous payouts, far beyond normal earnings. Death has become an economic force, blurring the line between tragedy and opportunity.
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Basic synodality means answering correspondence
Bishops often see responding to correspondence as beyond their role. Yet synodality requires it. By treating correspondence as integral to their ministry, leaders show respect for the faithful. Two-way communication is not optional; it is essential to authentic synodal practice.
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Tale of two tables: exclusion or abundance
The Eucharist is not only a memorial sacrifice but also the sign of a synodal church. Celebrations that exclude the assembly risk betraying its meaning, while abundant tables, like in Würzburg, reflect the unity and mission Vatican II envisioned.
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