November 10, 2020 (Edward J. Barr) – In PART I we posited that Cardinal McCarrick may have been an unwitting agent of influence for the Chinese communist regime.  If he was, the goal of the Chinese would be to manipulate McCarrick to use his Vatican connections to promote Holy See policies beneficial to the communist … More Chinese Spying on the Vatican: A McCarrick Connection? – PART II – Secondary effects

November 10, 2020 (Edward J. Barr) – The controversial Vatican-Chinese agreement signed in 2018 and just renewed was no doubt aided by the sophisticated and capable Chinese intelligence service. Lost in the recent discussion about the rationale for the Vatican continuing to abide by the as yet undisclosed agreement is the role disgraced former Cardinal … More Chinese Spying on the Vatican: A McCarrick Connection? – PART I – Primary effects

October 28, 2020 (Edward J. Barr) – The latest broadside leveled against Church teaching by Pope Francis must above all be seen for what it is, a private opinion expressed in a casual setting. Numerous commentators have rightly called the Pope to task for his ill-advised opining against truths of the faith throughout his pontificate.  … More Pope Francis’ Loose Lips Won’t Sink the Ship: The Barque of Peter sails under the power of Christ

September 9, 2020 (Edward J. Barr) – We live in an age where self-definition supersedes reality.  Hence, a man can say he is a woman, and the government defends his right to maintain his personal delusion, and also forces others to accede to the insanity. The question of self-definition emerged as a result of a … More Can you be Catholic but not Christian?

August 12, 2020 (Edward J. Barr) – The feast of the Assumption is a time to ponder Mary’s unique role in salvation history.  The significance of her fiat is a theological joy that has intrigued and excited Catholics for millennia.  All that Mary does, teaches, and exemplifies is based upon the salvific mission of her … More Mary’s “part” in the Ascension points to her Assumption

July 29, 2020 (Edward J. Barr) – As we get closer to the Presidential election a number of self-proclaimed Catholic news outlets have attacked the legitimacy of the “five non-negotiables,” those policies that Catholics should always reject. These are abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and “homosexual marriage.” Based on Church teachings, especially … More Are the 5 Non-negotiables really Non-negotiable?

August 5, 2019 (Edward J. Barr – Contributor) – Like many Americans the summer is time for vacations. For my wife and I, the annual trip to New England in the summer time is always a highlight. Growing up in Rhode Island, it was always a matter of pride to live in the “most Catholic” … More Will Divine Providence Spoil the Party in the Ocean State?

June 21, 2019 (Edward J. Barr – Contributor) – The recently released 2019 Commonwealth Fund’s Study on State Health Performance highlighted the negative impact drug overdose, suicide, and alcohol abuse have had on the nation’s health. The term “deaths of despair” appropriately describes the hopelessness of many who have succumbed to these three soldiers of … More The Rise in Death & Despair makes NONEsense

May 22, 2019 (Edward J. Barr – Contributor) – Among the novelties brought into the Christian faith by the Protestant revolution, perhaps the deadliest is the belief in private interpretation of Scripture. That the church of the late 15th and early 16th century was deeply flawed and in need of renewal there is of no … More The Dagger of Private Interpretation and the Coming Martyrdom

  March 19, 2019 – (Edward J. Barr – Contributor) -The Nicene Creed is a succinct explanation of our faith that is said at Mass throughout most of the liturgical year. By reciting the Creed with our fellow Catholics, we state that we affirm and believe all elements of the Creed. Yet what exactly are … More The Four Marks of the Church – Realities in the Midst of the Tempest