The Church is like the bride in the Song of Songs, black but beautiful.

Where does the Catholic liturgy fit in a culture which prizes technology, science and material proof, but has lost the vocabulary to understand humanitys oldest and deepest need: faith in an unseen God?

If happiness depends on what movies like Sex and the City say it does flawless physiques and up-to-the-minute fashions, keeping up with the Joneses in possessions and sex appeal then elderly Americans surely are the most miserable among us.

Perhaps you were startled to learn recently that Pope John Paul II regularly practiced the form of mortification called taking the discipline, that is to say, striking his body with a whip.

There is much talk of the possible canonization of one of Catholicism's favorite "secular saints," G. K. Chesterton. 

The conversations between Rome and Society of St. Pius X leaders are not negotiations, for there is nothing to be negotiated; nor is this a dialogue between equal partners.

In recent weeks, a number of angry voices have been raised to protest the Vaticans initiative to investigate communities of American nuns.

The decision announced in Rome yesterday to create structures to allow Anglicans to convert to Catholicism in a corporate way, while retaining many of their Anglican traditions, is a major historical development.

After today's amazing announcement from the Vatican, Anglicans no longer need to change into their swimming trunks.

Regarding the distressing news about the child pornography charges brought against Bishop Raymond Lahey, former bishop of Antigonish, one cannot improve upon the letter Archbishop Anthony Mancini sent to the faithful of Nova Scotia and read in all parishes last Sunday.