News in Discernment

Against Religious Nationalism

Against Religious Nationalism

by: Joseph Lobo, SJ- La Civiltà Cattolica in Discernment,

In some countries a form of religious-cultural nationalism is back in vogue. Religion is exploited both to obtain popular support and to launch a political message that is identified with people’s loyalty and devotion to a nation. It is taken for granted that people have in religion a common identity, origin and history, and that these support an ideological, cultural and religious homogeneity that is strengthened by geopolitical boundaries.

 
Belgian abbey restricts beer sales to counter Dutch price hikes

Belgian abbey restricts beer sales to counter Dutch price hikes

by: Tom Heneghan- The Tablet in Discernment,

The Belgian Trappist abbey of St. Sixtus has concluded a deal directly with Dutch off-licenses to keep middlemen from selling their popular Westvleteren beer there at exorbitant prices. The smallest of the Belgian Trappist breweries, which houses about 20 monks, brews 7,500 hectolitres of beer annually to cover its costs. That comes out to about 50 brewing days a year. 

Ten great things about being Catholic

Ten great things about being Catholic

by: Alice Camille - Vocation Network in Discernment,

Embracing a Catholic identity, however, is a whole lot more than simply being a card-carrying member of the church. Some may settle for a Baptism, wedding, and funeral in the church and feel they’ve gotten the best of it. But if you choose to live all the moments in between from the perspective of the Catholic worldview, you can enhance your life with incredible spiritual richness.

Discerning Faith in a Post-Christian Culture

Discerning Faith in a Post-Christian Culture

by: Paolo Gamberini, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Discernment,

In his address to the participants at the International Peace Conference at Al-Azhar (Cairo, Egypt) on April 28, 2017, Pope Francis reminded his listeners that dialogue on a global level may occur if three basic duties are observed: the duty to respect one’s own identity and that of others, the courage to accept differences, and the willingness to recognize the sincerity of the intentions of other people.

 
The Principles of Discernment of the Second Vatican Council

The Principles of Discernment of the Second Vatican Council

by: Gerald O'Collins, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Discernment,

 The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) recovered a deep vision of the Church, reflected on  religious liberty,  relations with other Christians, relations with the Jewish people, as well as other issues. What principles guided the council’s discernment in its decision-making? This article will seek to respond by looking at the final texts of the council, rather than at the history of their composition and subsequent reception.

Catholic bishop criticises 'sinful' gender ideology

Catholic bishop criticises 'sinful' gender ideology

by: Michael Sean Winters - The Tablet in Discernment,

 A US Catholic bishop has criticised Catholic organisations that allow “gender ideology” and the use of preferred pronouns, arguing that it is “sinful” and against the best interests of young people. Bishop Thomas Daly, chair of the US bishops’ conference’s education committee, told the National Catholic Register he considered it “tragic” and “sinful” that some Catholic institutions permitted “preferred pronouns” when someone asks to be identified by a gendered pronoun different from their biological sex. Daly said this was part of the “gender ideology.”

Just war theory and why Ukraine has a right to defend itself

Just war theory and why Ukraine has a right to defend itself

by: Anna Floerke Schied, Tobias Winright - The Tablet in Discernment,

 Two Catholic moral theologians consider the ethics of taking up arms in self-defence against an overwhelmingly superior military force. The courageous and inspirational Ukrainians are responding to Russia’s invasion of their country with both nonviolent and armed resistance.

Spirituality and Psychology

Spirituality and Psychology

by: Dominique Salin, SJ-La Civiltà Cattolica in Discernment,

Many people in the Church in France are concerned about the dangers of deviation and manipulation present in certain retreats, meetings or prayer groups that offer “psycho-spiritual” therapies. These practices, coming largely from overseas, raise fundamental questions: Should we recognize boundaries between the spiritual and the psychological? Which ones? On what basis?

 
17 questions about church vocations

17 questions about church vocations

by: Vision & the National Religious Vocation Conference in Discernment,

ViSION provides answers to your questions about priests, sisters, brothers, vows, sexuality, community life, and more. THERE'S SO MUCH to learn about the rich experience of religious life. Get up to speed on the areas that most concern you as you consider your calling. You may find the answers eye-opening. 

Discernment: Three things I pray

Discernment: Three things I pray

by: Sister Rosann Ocken, O.S.B. - Vision Vocation Network in Discernment,

Understanding your call begins when you believe you are worthy, you listen to God speak through your life and in your prayer, and you trust enough to surrender. How does one go about searching out or discerning what we call a vocation?

Letter from religious leaders of Britain following the Brexit ·

Letter from religious leaders of Britain following the Brexit ·

by: l´Osservatore Romano in Discernment,

Unity and solidarity. “One clear lesson of history is that, in times of uncertainty, people instictively crave the familiar. When fear sets in, it is no more than human nature to seek comfort in the familiar. But such fear must not be allowed to breed mistrust of ‘the other’”: These are the words of the open letter recently published in The Times in London, 

How should Christians vote?

How should Christians vote?

by: Tim Stanley - The Telegraph in Discernment,

 I’ve not decided who to vote for yet and, according to the polls, a lot of you haven’t either. One thing that we Christians have to consider is how the various choices match up to the ideals and aspirations of the Bible. And so I thought it might be helpful to examine where the parties stand on the pertinent issues.

Vocations are calls to embark on exodus to Promised Land, pope says

Vocations are calls to embark on exodus to Promised Land, pope says

by: Carol Glatz - Catholic News Service in Discernment,

"Responding to God's call, then, means allowing him to help us leave ourselves and our false security behind, and to strike out on the path which leads to Jesus Christ, the origin and destiny of our life and our happiness," the pope said in his message for the 2015 World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The day will be celebrated April 26 at the Vatican and in many dioceses around the world.

Most schools 'have reduced careers advice'

Most schools 'have reduced careers advice'

by: Hannah Richardson - BBC in Discernment,

Careers advice has been reduced in more than eight out of 10 schools in England in the past year, research suggests. A survey of professional careers advisers working in 1,500 secondary schools reveals "dramatic reductions" in the amount of professional careers guidance on offer.

Former atheist poet reveals details of her Catholic conversion

Former atheist poet reveals details of her Catholic conversion

by: David Kerr - CNA in Discernment,

  “Until two years ago, I was a really committed atheis", she says.   A 41-year-old Englishwoman, Sally Read is regarded as a rising star within the world of poetry. Her publisher describes the former psychiatric nurse as “one of a new generation of younger poets shaping the future of British poetry.”

Sally Read: Outfoxed by God

Sally Read: Outfoxed by God

by: Sally Read - The Tablet in Discernment,

For almost all of her 40 years, a Suffolk-born psychiatric nurse-turned published poet and passionate atheist felt little but contempt for Catholicism. But then, in less than a year, after a springtime epiphany she was received into the Church. This is her journey.

Call for Catholic schools to foster vocations

Call for Catholic schools to foster vocations

by: Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, in Discernment,

 As we promote vocation in schools we will be promoting both the universal call to holiness for all the baptised and also the call to the priesthood or religious life for some; and, as we will see, this means that fostering a culture of vocation lies at the heart of the Catholic school.

“Open Your Hearts in Prayer” – Papal Nuncio Challenge to Young People at Invocation 2011

“Open Your Hearts in Prayer” – Papal Nuncio Challenge to Young People at Invocation 2011

by: Peter Jennings in Discernment,

 “Never forget too, that when God calls us by name and asks us to follow him, he offers us true freedom. God asks us, in the face of all that seems wrong in our world, to be positive, to build up his Kingdom and to change the world for the better. There is no place for pessimism here, for his call to each one of us is, in fact, liberation.” the Nuncio said.