A newly ordained priest’s dictatorial decree banning women in pants from the sanctuary underscores a troubling trend of clericalism within the Church. These outdated views reflect a more profound fear of women asserting authority, revealing an institutional struggle with gender dynamics—the push for inclusivity clashes dramatically with his repressive stance.
Category Archives: Ethics
Is Catholicism a Nature Religion?
The piece explores humanity’s connection to natural rhythms and the spiritual significance of seasonal changes, linking them to Catholic practices like the Liturgy of the Hours. It reflects on historical events, such as the Christmas truce of 1914, and emphasizes the importance of rest, nature, and divine presence in everyday life.
If God Is Love…
by Joseph Stoutzenberger When I was a child, I loved movies. As a paperboy, if I paid my bill in full by 10:00 Saturday morning I received a pass to our local movie theater. (My small home town had only one theater.) I attended many Saturday matinees. I took it to heart when a characterContinue reading “If God Is Love…”
Seeing the Bigger Picture
The author reflects on two distinct funerals attended recently, one traditional Catholic and the other held at a country club. Both services honored the deceased’s impact on the community but varied in spiritual connection. The Catholic liturgy provided a profound sense of belonging to a universal story, emphasizing gratitude and ongoing presence beyond death.
Thank God for the Blessed Mother
by Joseph Stoutzenberger The beginning of the Nicene Creed, recited by Catholics at Mass, refers to God as “the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” The creed was composed by bishops called together in 325 by the non-Christian Roman emperor of the time, Constantine. He wanted Christians who were fighting among themselves to resolveContinue reading “Thank God for the Blessed Mother”
St. Francis of Assisi and Nature
by Joseph Stoutzenberger A few years ago, a publisher approached me about writing a book about Francis of Assisi and nature. I knew Francis is associated with love of creation and is the patron saint of the environment. His statues with birds on his shoulder and other animals at his feet in gardens everywhere attestContinue reading “St. Francis of Assisi and Nature”
Know Thyself
by Joseph Stoutzenberger A professor of mine at Temple University, David Harrington Watt, insisted that it is important in scholarship to let readers know who we are and what has influenced the positions that we are expressing. In my writing, I have always stayed away from talking about myself. If I wrote about, for instance,Continue reading “Know Thyself”
What Peaches and What Penumbras!
by Joseph Stoutzenberger Many years ago, I sat in on a class on sacraments at LaSalle College, now a university. During a lunch break, I sat at a table next to an old professor. I’m not sure what his subject area was, but he asked me what I was studying. I told him I wasContinue reading “What Peaches and What Penumbras!”
What about Brokenness?
Then I realized that life doesn’t happen in museums and never-opened cabinets. Living, becoming real, always brings with it the danger of being broken. Kintsugi and The Velveteen Rabbit remind us that there is beauty in brokenness.
Sanctuary or Supermarket: Where Is the Church?
What’s missing? How about the everyday, commonplace expressions of love happening in families, in friendships, in schools, in businesses, in supermarkets, in the simple exchanges Catholics make throughout their lives?
Joseph Stoutzenberger 