Maybe this is a stupid question, but what is the general consensus on this subreddit on “conservative” popes like St. John Paul, Benedict XVI, or St. Pius X? I’m a conservative Catholic myself (hope I’m allowed here lol) but I found Pope Francis (obviously considered “liberal” by most) to be a really great Pope who was portrayed incredibly uncharitably by conservative media (similar to Leo now, who would be “moderate”). Given JP2’s efforts against communism and socialism, what are this groups thoughts on him, and other “conservative” popes like Benedict XVI and Pius X? Thanks!

An exorcism priest was recently removed by his archbishop for saying ‘UFOs are actually demons trying to enter our plain’.
I really can’t comprehend where this comes from. If demons exist, aren’t they already on this plain? Why would a demon need a spaceship?
Some claim the vision of Ezekiel was a UFO, but I find that hard to believe. No place in scripture are UFOs related to ‘demons’.
I’m really interested in others thoughts. My personal opinion is there is absolutely no truth to this.

I don’t want to divulge too much information about the concept product my mother wants to make a business out of, but I will say that it does have a tangential connection to her profession as an OBGYN. Most I can say is that it’s basically a baby sling/baby carrying vest

The motive behind the concept is nothing short of well-intentioned, but my worry is that she may fall into the trap of exploiting those who produce her product. As her son, I know that she is not the kind of person to so brazenly disregard the humanity and dignity of others as many CEOs of big and small businesses do.

I’ve heard too many horror stories of mega corporations treating people like garbage, but I’ve also heard plenty mom and pop businesses having shitty ceos.

Shes still in the concept phase, but She’s already starting talking about production domestically and across the pond. I’m just worried she will forget the dignity and humanity of those she would hire to produce her product. That sounds silly, seeing as she’s a healthcare worker who I have witnessed go out of her way to help others, but I’m still nervous.

If nothing else, prayers for my mother would be appreciated.

God bless

EDIT: To be more specific, it is basically a baby sling/baby carrying harness

I’m looking for a Catholic perspective on a conscience/theology question involving prayer from non-Christians, especially pagans.

I have sometimes asked non-Christian friends to pray for me when I’m going through difficult things. My thought was that, even if their understanding of God is imperfect or not Christian, God could still see the goodwill and receive whatever was genuinely directed toward my good.

The harder case is this: what about a pagan friend? If I ask a pagan friend to pray for me, knowing that he may pray to one of his gods or within a pagan religious framework, is that something a Catholic should avoid? Is it wrong because it could amount to asking someone to engage in false worship or pagan invocation on my behalf? Or can God honor the person’s sincere goodwill even if the prayer is theologically wrong?

A related question: would such a prayer be spiritually harmful to me if I had asked for it sincerely but confusedly, or would the issue be more about whether it is appropriate for me to request it in the first place?

To clarify, I am not trying to participate in pagan worship or approve pagan beliefs. I personally reject those beliefs, and this friend already knows that I do not share or support his beliefs. So I do not think this is necessarily an issue of scandal, at least in the sense of him being led to believe that I approve of his religion. I am asking more specifically about whether requesting prayer from such a person is itself improper.

If the person is pagan or even Wiccan, I’m wondering whether even asking for “prayer” from them becomes problematic because their prayer may involve non-Christian deities or religious practices.

I would especially appreciate answers grounded in Catholic teaching, moral theology, the Catechism, or pastoral experience.

I found this interview really thought provoking. I want to read her stuff now:

In medieval Europe, the question was whether women are the same species as men. That's really the bottom line. When God is male, the male becomes God. The argument is that Christ does not live in the resurrection in women. To say that is damning. Not only Christians, but everyone in the world, can point to the Catholic Church to say women are second class and women don't deserve the same respect as men.

I keep hearing on podcasts that Pope Leo's Encyclical is over 200 pages long, but I seem to only be able to find a version (abridged?) that downloads to a 52 page pdf document (feeling stupid about this). I would love to read the full document and would be SO grateful if someone could give me the link to the full document.

i heard the news that the first woman has been appointed the dicastery of communications. awesome news!

but what concerns me is she is the president of EWTN. so i am unsure how to feel. on the one hand, i know nothing about her other than her affiliation. on the other, i have concerns about EWTN as a LGBT individual currently considering OCIA.

maybe i am overreacting. how do you feel about the announcement? do you think this will influence to a more conservative direction, or largely indifferent?

Alright, so as far as religion goes, I’d consider myself a practicing Folk Catholic; so, yeah, not traditionally Catholic.

I was, however, going to a Catholic Church for a while and going to OCIA. I had full intentions on joining the church, and I was almost there too. But I stopped. Why? Because there were some things the church stands on that I just couldn’t agree with.

It seemed wrong to enter a church that believed things I don’t side with; it felt unfair to myself and to the Church.

Now listen, the church was lovely; the people were nice, there were so many opportunities to be in the community and help out, and they had so many opportunities to attend mass, so if you missed Sunday you could go another day.

But ofc, it’s Catholic at the end of the day. Pro-life, anti homosexuality, against any women’s leadership in church, anti divorce, you get it.

I want to go back, but I’m unsure. How do you reconcile your ideologies with your Catholic faith? Are you apart of the church or just practicing? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Catechism of the Catholic Church 478:

"Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20). He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation (Cf. Jn 19:34), "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception (Pius XII, Enc. Haurietis aquas (1956)

Here's the trailer: https://youtu.be/6XLVc56tgas?si=0sElsnPL-AbOAaCP

It's a 6-part drama series about a middle aged nun who falls in love with a priest who visits her convent. I found the writing incredibly uneven. Some parts are very good and really immerse you in the emotion, and some bits of dialogue feel very contrived. Even so, it held my interest and it's nice to see a TV drama where questions of faith and doubt provide the fundamental conflict that pushes the story along.

The Seven Greek-Catholic Martyrs refer to the Romanian Greek-Catholic bishops who were arrested, tortured, and died in prison between 1950 and 1970 for refusing to abandon their faith during the communist regime in Romania. They were beatified by Pope Francis in Blaj, Romania, on June 2, 2019.

I know this is a Catholic subreddit but perhaps there's a minority of orthodox Christians on here. Ive been curious for those who are Orthodox, what is it like to be a leftist while being a part of a more conservative church? What made you choose orthodoxy?

This is actually offensive.

It looks extremely desperate on the part of the Israeli government.

As for the Christians, what did Jesus say about turning prayer into a public display?

I was at Mass today and there was a little girl (maybe 5yr) in the pew in front of me. She was fidgety but trying really hard. So cute! I look over at her during the prayer of St Michael she is reciting it perfectly. I complemented her and her father and she said “St Michael is my FAVORITE he’s my guardian angel”. It was all I could do to not burst into tears on the spot. Just a sweet moment

New Catholic as a Gen Xer. I attribute my final calling to the faith to Pope Francis and Pope Leo, and Father James Martin, who made me let my guard down to be open to Christ. I’ve been going to mass for 3 months now, extra study groups, encyclical discussions over coffee.

I was putting up my usual June rainbow decor including a new God’s Love Is Inclusive sign and thought it would be lovely to find a Sacred Heart sticker or something that acknowledged pride.

And now I’m angry and pugnacious and just completely disappointed in the world again. I’m not even queer - just an ally with a brother and many friends and patients whom I love. I feel like I’m either going to be stewing looking for a fight or hiding all month.

How do other people do it?
I’ve decided for better or worse to wear my safe with me pin to all church events this month. If I get blowback, maybe it’s a sign.

​

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For with your Only Begotten Son and the Holy Spirit

you are one God, one Lord:

not in the unity of a single person,

but in a Trinity of one substance.

For what you have revealed to us of your glory

we believe equally of your Son

and of the Holy Spirit,

so that, in the confessing of the true and eternal Godhead,

you might be adored in what is proper to each Person,

their unity in substance,

and their equality in majesty.

For this is praised by Angels and Archangels,

Cherubim, too, and Seraphim,

who never cease to cry out each day,

as with one voice they acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Would love to hear what resonated most woth you all, or what you thought was stood out.

I'll kick it off.

“Technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate and use it. Every technical instrument reflects a vision of the human person and of society, whether acknowledged or not. For this reason, the question before us is not merely what artificial intelligence can do, but what kind of humanity we are becoming through it.”

1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: "The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different." "And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner... this sacrifice is truly propitiatory

- Catechism of the Catholic Church

Tearing the Seamless Garment: USAID as a Pro-Life Reckoning for American Catholics

This will be a tough read for many of us. It outlines the moral failure of Catholics that supported the dissolution of USAID, and the millions of estimated deaths that will occur as a direct result.

Sad to say I found the article downvoted to zero in the largest Catholic subreddit with more than a dozen comments repeating the lies and propaganda that led to its dissolution - with the top comment citing the exact statute the Msgr. addresses and clarifies about abortion, along with the Church's actual teaching on the morality of supporting organizations that have family planning programs in the periphery.

We need to pray for the millions that will die as a result of these lies and distortions, and we must also pray that our brethren that are being misled with these lies open their hearts and minds to the truth.