This turbulent priest
Episodes
168 episodes
The spectre of WW3 and the faith of England
With much doom and gloom in the media about prepping for a new war with Russia I thought I would reflect on what national disaster, of any description, might mean for Christianity in England.
Why the Anglican "Save the parish" movement resonates with Catholics too.
In this week's episode I ponder how the insights of Rev Marcus Walker's "Save the parish" movement in the Church of England resonate on this side of the Tiber as well...
Are Catholic schools Catholic anymore?
In this week's episode I ask the uncomfortable but important questions about Catholic education. Is there an impossible tension in the current culture when we try to run Catholic schools within a secular curriculum? What does it mean for a scho...
Is judgement to be avoided or embraced?
In this week's episode I ponder why modern culture abhors the notion of "judging others", acting as if personal choices have no moral value, even as it itself judges others harshly and shows no mercy whatsoever within a cancel culture.
Jason Arday; symptom not cause of Cambridge's crisis
In this episode I show how Jason Arday is the most boring aspect of the tumult surrounding his appointment at Cambridge University. The real villain is an intransigent modernist ideology that demands blind obedience and therefore de...
Adopted faith; an interview with seminarian Iwan Williams
In this week's episode I speak with Iwan Williams, the Seminarian on placement in Pembury from Allen Hall in London, who speaks openly about being adopted as a child and how re-connecting with his birth mother encouraged a return to his Heavenl...
Is Andy Burnham a Catholic or not?
In this episode I explore what is meant when people state that Andy Burnham is a Catholic. What do we make of the fact he publicly supports euthanasia and abortion even as people label him a member of Christ's Church? Is his baptism enough to g...
What can the death of Ann Widdecombe teach us?
In this week's episode I pay homage to the murdered politician Ann Widdecombe. I contemplate her life and the witness of her Christian faith and I ask what legacy she leaves us. May she rest in peace.
Unity versus Truth: reflecting on the SSPX schism
In this week's episode I reflect on the schism that occurred when the SSPX took themselves out of communion with the Catholic Church when they consecrated new bishops without a papal mandate. Are they victims or aggressors? Do they merit our sy...
Against the machine: C R Ashbee and the fight for beauty!
In this week's episode I reflect on the beautiful reredos located in the sacred heard chapel at St Anselm's in Pembury which was created by C R Ashbee a prominent member of the Arts and Crafts movement. This reflection leads me to ponder the ro...
Should Christians believe in progress?
In this week's episode I try and distinguish between technological advance in society and genuine progress. I challenge the common assumption that humanity is evolving as time goes on...
Do religions really cause war?
In this week's episode I ponder the accusation, so often hurled at Christians, that religion causes war. Is it true? Does this claim stand up to scrutiny? What does the church have to say about this?
Is modern parenting too safe?
In this week's episode I pick up on the education secretary's claim that modern children are too risk averse and cosseted and ask if we need to re-asses parenting especially in light of our faith as Catholics.
A Catholic reflects on the murder of Henry Nowak
In this week's episode I try and give a Catholic response to the senseless murder of University student Henry Nowak. I suggest that a loss of Christian anthropology is leading to struggles in our society to deal with matters of justice and trut...
Magnifica Humanitas: first impressions of Pope Leo's first encyclical
In this week's episode I give my first impressions on the first encyclical of Pope Leo which centres on anthropological questioning- what does it mean to be human in a fast evolving world with Ai?
The death of the local community
In this week's episode I ponder the breakdown of the parish system and of local community in recent years and its impact on the faith and life of England.
Catholicism didn't abandon the left, the left has abandoned Catholicism
In this week's episode I ponder why Christianity has been largely abandoned by all political parties but especially the left, which once had a strong alliance with Catholicism in working class areas of Britain. I ask how Christians should engag...
Does the world need a new 'just war' theory?
In this week's episode I share my concerns that global conflict is in the air and ask if the complexities of modern warfare make a traditional understanding of just war theory somewhat obsolete and difficult to discern. Is it time for the churc...
A blessing too far: when ecumenism forgets truth
In this week's episode I ponder the scandal that was caused when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullaly, gave an apparent blessing in the basilica of St Peter in Rome and, more alarmingly, when a Catholic prelate appeared to accept it...
When Popes and Presidents clash!
In this week's episode I ponder the recent spat between Pope Leo and President Trump and try to ponder not only what caused it but also what the solution to such conflict might be...
Vatican backs the Ordinariate
In this week's episode I ponder a wonderful document, produced by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith, which explores the patrimony of the Ordinariate and examines how it is working on the ground. It is essentially a huge boost to those of ...
Passiontide reflection
In this episode I ponder how we can fully enter into passion tide as we prepare for a good Holy Week
The crisis of masculinity in the world and the church
In this week's episode I highlight how a serious crisis of masculinity in both the world and the church is deeply damaging both.