Pastoral Concern for Migrant Communities

The latest from Thinking Faith...


A ministry of welcome
Why does our faith demand of us a pastoral concern for migrant communities? Bishop Pat Lynch introduces the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in which the Church’s mission to migrants is grounded. As we mark the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on 17 January, we are encouraged to welcome and accompany migrants as our brothers and sisters.
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St Therese and Evangelism

The latest from Thinking Faith...


iWitness: St Thérèse: a mission of evangelisation
The tour of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux has been an invigorating event for the life of the Catholic Church in this country, but has been met by curiosity and even scepticism in some quarters. Sr Janet Fearns explains the value of the visit as an opportunity for evangelisation, as she recalls her encounters with journalists and pilgrims. How has St Thérèse enabled the many thousands of people who have queued to venerate her relics to become missionaries? Read >>

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Modernism and Catholicism

The latest from Thinking Faith...


Modernism: The Philosophical Foundations
George Tyrrell SJ was among the modernists whose ideas were condemned by the Catholic Church in the early twentieth century, but what was it about their thought that was so problematic? Continuing Thinking Faith’s series to mark the 100^th anniversary of Tyrrell’s death, Anthony Carroll SJ explores the philosophical background to modernism and asks if there is anything we can learn from the Church’s encounter with the movement – how might the modernists help us to think about our faith today? Read >>

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Caritas in Veritate

The latest from Thinking Faith...


Caritas in Veritate
Pope Benedict XVI’s third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, was released earlier today, 7^th July 2009. Brendan MacPartlin SJ considers the vision delivered in this long awaited document, which picks up on the themes of Populorum Progressio to look at issues of development and social action: ‘Charity in truth drives the authentic development of all persons.’ Read >>

George Tyrrell and Catholic Modernism

The latest from Thinking Faith...


George Tyrrell and Catholic Modernism
This month sees the 100^th anniversary of the death of the controversial Jesuit, George Tyrrell. Oliver Rafferty SJ begins Thinking Faith’s series on Tyrrell’s life and work by introducing us to the Catholic modernist whose views eventually resulted in his expulsion from the Society of Jesus and his excommunication. Who was George Tyrrell? Read >>

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St Paul and his bones

My good friend, the Reverend Dr Lim Kar Yong, our local St. Paul expert went to Rome a few days ago and then the Paul announced that St.Pauls remains are found. Coincidence?

From Times Online

June 29, 2009

Basilica bones are St Paul's, Pope declares after carbon dating tests

(Patrick Hertzog)

The tomb of St Paul in Rome

Richard Owen in Rome

Pope Benedict XVI said last night that bone fragments found inside the tomb of St Paul in Rome had been carbon dated for the first time, "confirming the unanimous and uncontested tradition that they are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul".

He said that archaeologists had inserted a probe into the white marble sarcophagus under the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls which has been revered for centuries as the tomb of St Paul.

The pontiff said: "Small fragments of bone were carbon dated by experts who knew nothing about their provenance and results showed they were from someone who lived between the 1st and 2nd century. This seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that these are the mortal remains of Paul the Apostle."

The Pope, who said the discovery "fills our souls with great emotion", made the unexpected announcement during Vespers at St Paul's Basilica last night, marking the end of the Pauline year held in honour of the apostle. He said that as well as bone fragments, archaeologists had found grains of red incense, a piece of purple linen with gold sequins and a blue fabric with linen filaments in the tomb.

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