The Dispatch
Extra, extra! News and views for Wednesday, November 26, 2025
1700 Years of Unity – “On Sunday, just ahead of his trip to Türkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV wrote about the 1700th Anniversary of [...]
Saints and Divorce
Essay
Divorced saints? How can that be? Catholics are more likely to hear edifying stories about pious wives like St. Catherine of Genoa or Elizabeth Canori-Mora, who stayed with wicked husbands until they prayed their erring [...]
In new book, Cardinal Sarah delves deeply into worship, liturgy, and sacred music
Books
There is much debate in the Church about what is and is not appropriate in the context of the Sacred Liturgy. The so-called “liturgy wars” rage on with many battlefronts, covering many different aspects of [...]
Essay
Why Catholic doctrine on sexual morality cannot change
Can the Catholic Church change her mind and teachings about sexual morality? Is it finally time to listen to progressives and abolish the ascetic elements of Christian morality, bringing Catholicism in line with the rest [...]
Essay
Newman and Ecumenism
In the weeks before and after St John Henry Newman was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church, there was much talk of Newman’s presumed ecumenism. “The proclamation is of ecumenical significance,” Archbishop Bernard Longley said, [...]
Chapp's Schtick
Some reflections and questions about Notre Dame’s “refreshed” staff values
I’ll begin these reflections with an upfront affirmation of my love for the University of Notre Dame. My wife was an undergraduate there (class of 1988), our nephew (and my godson) recently graduated from Notre [...]
Analysis
On the USCCB’s revised “Ethical and Religious Directives” for Catholic hospitals
The Plenary Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) meeting in Baltimore, November 10-13, is probably most widely known for its “Special Message” on immigration. But another important document came out of [...]
Features
What the bishops got wrong on immigration
The Apostles’ Creed teaches that the Church, as the Body of Christ, is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The Church herself—understood as the Mystical Body and safeguarded by the Holy Spirit—cannot be the object of [...]
Features
What the bishops got right on immigration
Through recent comments from Pope Leo XIV and a statement by the United States Bishops at the end of the annual meeting of the USCCB, immigration is again in the headlines of both secular and [...]
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I’ll begin these reflections with an upfront affirmation of my love for the University of Notre Dame. My wife was an undergraduate there (class of 1988), our nephew (and my godson) recently graduated from Notre [...] -
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The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released today a “Doctrinal Note on Some Marian Titles regarding Mary’s Cooperation in the Work of Salvation” (Mater Populi Fidelis), and it has raised a few eyebrows along with [...] -
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Agnieszka:
Highlighting the obvious! What about the latest apostolic letter that downplays the Filioque? That is more newsworthy.
knowall:
Always pass on as you're walking out of the confessional.... (if you can arrange that)
DiogenesRedux:
Bishops should be as vocal about the dignity of Catholics who want to worship God in the Usus Antiquior
