Flashes
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Lay preaching: it’s not who preaches — it’s who’s heard
The German bishops wanted to promote the lay homily. It was of no use: the liturgy dicastery rejected the request – and made it clear where it sees the place of laypeople in the liturgy.
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Decoding Pope Leo
Labels like liberal and conservative fail to capture a papacy built around one demand: communion with the successor of Peter.
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The bishop said “you should be ashamed of yourself”
One woman’s decades-long calling to priesthood was met with shame, silence and repeated institutional denial.
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The space between
In a world of instant replies, Jesus waited! Even while healing urgently, Jesus paused for one quiet interruption, a reminder that presence matters more than speed.
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The Tabernacle is the message
Faithful should receive hosts from the same Mass — yet it rarely happens anymore.
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Bizarre religion
The Taliban ban on women praying aloud sparks a harder question about the bizarre rules quietly embedded in every faith, including one’s own.
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The Church and the Census
Cultural Catholics still shape church funding and influence: Behind the Census lies a quiet contest over funding, identity and influence.
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What if the Algorithm wears a Mitre?
A non-clericalist model is essential if the church hopes to keep the passion and creativity of lay believers.
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Kneelers to circles: Berlin reimagines the liturgy
“Recent editions of Flashes have discussed the virtues of standing rather than kneeling during the liturgy. We’ve had ‘Restoring kneelers!’ (23 June), ‘When kneeling divides rather than unites’ (30 June), and ‘Standing to pray: sign of a priestly people’ (7 July). The authors all want us to stand before God.”
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The priest shortage
Empty churches and vanishing clergy reveal a deeper collapse the Church has brought upon itself.
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