I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: Woman's World Day of Prayer

This talk was given for Woman's World Day of Prayer at St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Deal, Kent, UK, on March 1st, 2013.

Click here to find out more about Woman's World Day of Prayer.

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Powerful Chastity is Electric - It has Both a Positive and Negative Charge, a Yes and a No

In this talk, we discuss the chapter of Love and Responsibility entitled, "The Problem with Continence" in which we discover that true chastity, in order to be truly powerful and transforming, has both a positive and negative charge.  On one hand we know that it involves continence, or the containing of sensible gratification and sentimental expressions, while sublimating the value of the person to everything else experienced.

Theology of the Body at Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy

This talk was given on Thursday, January 25, 2013 to a group of students at the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy.  It is the second of a two part series, the first of which was given by Robert Colquhoun, the head of 40 Days for Life in the UK, a prayerful and peaceful way of witnessing the dignity of life.

We discuss the psychological and emotional underpinnings of the theology of the body's fundamental and explosive statement, that man and woman live in the image of God together as a covenant of communion, like the Blessed Trinity.  In particular, we look at the necessary affirmation of masculine and feminine love of the human person that can only come about by a one-man, one-woman, permanent, exclusive, mutual, covenant of communion we call holy matrimony.

Theology of the Body at Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy by Fr Samuel Medley SOLT

Boundaries in Relationships Anyone? Love and Responsibility Session 7: Shame

In this talk, we look at Blessed Pope John Paul II's book, Love and Responsibility's chapter on "The Metaphysics of Shame," which is really about boundaries in relationships.  What is the function of shame?  - to protect and reveal love between man and woman

Is Chastity Evil? Does it take away happiness, freedom and deep joy, or does it set freedom free?

This is the 6th session of our discussion group on Pope John Paul II's book, Love and Responsibility.

Is chastity evil?  It has been demonized by pop culture as something that doesn't give happiness, freedom, joy, and deep stability.  It is seen as an enemy.  Pope John Paul II attempts to rehabilitate the name of chastity.

The Modern Family: the Big, Stinky Elephant in the Room that Nobody Wants to Talk About

The Battle Continues in the UK on the Government's "Shambolic" Method of Pushing a Notion No One Wants: Same-Sex "Marriages"

Archbishop Peter Smith, pictured left, is my Archbishop here in Southwark.  I gladly repost his response to the UK Government's underhanded method to push an agenda of wicked proportions.

Archbishops' statement on the government response
to the same sex marriage consultation

Statement by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Peter Smith on the government response to the same sex marriage consultation. Archbishop Nichols is President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Archbishop Smith is Vice-President.

The meaning of marriage matters. It derives that meaning from its function as the foundation of the family. The union of one man and one woman for love and mutual support and open to procreation has over the centuries formed a stable unit we call the family. Marriage is the enduring public recognition of this commitment and has been rightly recognised as unique and worthy of legal protection.

The government has chosen to ignore the views of over 600,000 people who signed a petition calling for the current definition of marriage to stay, and we are told legislation to change the definition of marriage will now come to Parliament.

We strongly oppose such a Bill. Furthermore, the process by which this has happened can only be described as shambolic. There was no electoral mandate in any manifesto; no mention in the Queen’s speech; no serious or thorough consultation through a Green or White paper, and a constant shifting of policy before even the government response to the consultation was published today.

We urge everyone who cares about upholding the meaning of marriage in civil law to make their views known to their MPs clearly, calmly and forcefully, and without impugning the motives of others. We urge all parties to ensure their Members have a free vote. It is not too late to stop this Bill.

Issued 11-12-12

Archbishop Peter has also written an article in The Daily Telegraph of 12th December 2012. It is reproduced in full on the CCEW web site.

He was interviewed by Eddie Mair on Radio 4's PM Programme on 11th December. This is available on BBC's iPlayer until 18th December.
Please click here to listen to the interview - from 8.18 until 14.06. 

Love and Responsibility Session V: Ethical Analysis of Love

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In this session we talk about the fact that the only way love is really true love is if it is ethically good.  A person's experience or feelings, no matter how pure or valid they may be, can never integrate love and elevate it to the nobility of being true love.  Ethical dimension is when love must blossom forth into a vocation, into marriage and family.  If it does not, it cannot be said to be true love, but even an evil love.

Theology of the Body in Cardiff: Love, Sex, Friendship, Chastity, Marriage, and More

This is the fourth of four talks given to the people of the Archdioces of Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday, November 24, 2012 on Love, Sex, Friendship, Chastity, Marriage, and More.  Video to Follow soon..;

Love, Friendship, Sex, Chastity, Marriage, And More

Theology of the Body in Cardiff: Graced Friendships in the Trinitarian Communion

This is the third talk of four given for the people of the Archdiocese of Cardiff, Wales, on healing our relationships through Graced Friendships with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and with all those with whom the good Lord brings us into communion.


Theology of the Body in Cardiff - Trinitarian Communion in Graced Friendships