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Michie · 2025-12-02T10:41:36-0600

An excerpt from ‘Family Faith Under Fire’ by Dr. Ray Guarendi

This selection appears courtesy of EWTN Publishing. The full book is available here.

Dear Dr. Ray,

I’m a mother of five children and happily pregnant with my sixth. I’m amazed at how free people feel to disparage my family size. I’m reluctant to tell anyone I’m expecting again.

—Getting Quieter

Tolerance is the pervasive, preeminent new moral virtue. Whatever others want to do is their choice — indeed, their right — and is to be accepted, even celebrated. Yet our society is quite narrow in its tolerance. For all its vaunted openness, the tolerance movement is riddled with ironies.

Irony #1: Tolerance for all, except some

Not everyone deserves to think his or her own way. Tolerance is reserved for those who think the right way, as defined by reigning secular rules. In the largest group of “non-acceptables” are traditional values, especially those of the Christian faith and especially the Catholic Faith.

Irony #2: Tolerance redefines itself, moving with cultural winds

Continued below.

Society’s New ‘Sins’: Smoking and Having Too Many Kids

An excerpt from ‘Family Faith Under Fire’ by Dr. Ray Guarendi

www.ncregister.com

Michie · 2025-12-02T10:34:58-0600

Amid fire, famine and the chaos of the Gold Rush, Archbishop Joseph Alemany worked tirelessly to revive the faith across a fledgling California.

This year, the Western Dominican Province of the United States is celebrating the 175th anniversary of its founding in Monterey, California, by Dominican Father Joseph Alemany, who arrived as a newly appointed bishop to restore and to build up the Church during the California Gold Rush.

He was born in 1814 in Vich, Spain. After his ordination to the priesthood at age 26, he was assigned as a missionary to the United States to serve in Ohio, where he became a United States citizen, and then later in Kentucky and Tennessee, where he was appointed Prior Provincial of all American Dominicans. Thanks to an account written by a native San Franciscan during the Gold Rush, we have a wonderful insight into the dedication of Alemany, who took up residence in San Francisco following his appointment as the first archbishop in California.

The account opens, explaining that firemen often collapsed after fighting conflagrations for hours in the burgeoning, fire-prone city comprised of hastily built structures. One day, the writer witnessed the following:

Continued below.

Archbishop Alemany: The Dominican Who Built Catholic California

Amid fire, famine and the chaos of the Gold Rush, Archbishop Joseph Alemany worked tirelessly to revive the faith across a fledgling California.

www.ncregister.com

BCP1928 · 2025-12-02T10:32:25-0600

ThatRobGuy said:
Did you take a gander at BYU's "Code of Honor" that I linked earlier?

Yes, and rejected it as a comparison of superficialities.

Michie · 2025-12-02T10:31:19-0600

Five Years After COVID’s and War’s Ravages, Site of the Nativity Plans Hopeful Celebration

JERUSALEM — Following two years of subdued Christmas celebrations due to the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, this year the holiday will be celebrated in the Holy Land in all its splendor, especially in Bethlehem.

“The tree is already up and employees are working 24 hours a day to prepare for Christmas,” Bethlehem Deputy Mayor Lucy Talgieh told the Register. “After five years of COVID closures and then the war, we want to celebrate.”

The festivities will include a tree-lighting ceremony at Manger Square, and the streets leading to the square and the Church of the Nativity will be full of decorative lights. A full-blown holiday gift fair and a Christmas Eve choir will both be back this year. The annual Christmas Eve Jerusalem-to-Bethlehem procession led by the Latin patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, which was so somber the past two years, is expected to be much more joyous.

The decision to restore the traditional public Christmas celebrations reflects the hope that the war in Gaza may be nearing an end, which in turn offers encouragement to Holy Land Christians, especially in Bethlehem, who have been facing a dire economic situation. Bethlehem’s fragile economy, and especially the local Christian community, are extremely dependent on pilgrimages. For the past century, the shops surrounding Manger Square, which sell beautiful hand-crafted mother-of pearl crosses and hand-carved Nativity scenes created by local Christian artisans, have supported entire extended families.

Continued below.

‘A Light in the Darkness’: Bethlehem Plans Joyous Christmas to Offer Hope in the Holy Land

Five Years After COVID’s and War’s Ravages, Site of the Nativity Plans Hopeful Celebration

www.ncregister.com

Michie · 2025-12-02T10:26:15-0600

Sister Theres Hong Phuoc Tran utilizes spiritual tools to improve people’s well-being, especially youth.

When Sister Theres Hong Phuoc Tran teaches mental health workshops at Catholic parishes, schools and religious congregations, she uses this Scripture quote — “You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30)” — to illustrate that wellness consists of four components: heart (connection with others, being loved and loving others), soul (intimacy with God, finding purpose in one’s life), mind (feeding the intellect with good thoughts, seeking counsel when uncertain), and strength (living a physically healthy lifestyle).

While a few people have serious emotional and psychological problems that require professional help, most can make use of the “good tools” outlined in her workshops to enjoy wellness and a happy, fulfilled life.

“Human life has a rhythm, but chaos can enter our lives and bring us problems out of our control,” Sister Theres said. “To know how to live well, we have to know how God intended us to live. To maintain wellness, we must learn how to trust in God and accept the rhythm of our lives with gratitude.”

Sister Theres was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and immigrated to the United States at age 11. In 2003, she joined the Lovers of the Holy Cross, a predominantly Vietnamese community whose motherhouse is in Los Angeles. As their charism includes social services, she became a licensed marriage and family therapist and began seeing patients pro bono. Today, she resides in Santa Ana, California, and offers mental health workshops in Southern California.

Continued below.

America’s Mental Health Crisis and the Religious Sister Who’s Confronting It in California

Sister Theres Hong Phuoc Tran utilizes spiritual tools to improve people’s well-being, especially youth.

www.ncregister.com

rambot · 2025-12-02T10:21:00-0600

Deport a student after changing the rules and making her ineligible to be here? Keeping America safe from rapists and gangbangers.

Release Honduran President found guilty of importing millions of dollars of drugs into the country: It doesn't matter. Trump did it so he's keeping us safe.

eleos1954 · 2025-12-02T10:16:09-0600

CTB777 said:
Can anyone help me with getting the bible on SD card or on something that I can listen to the Bible with head phones, MP3 player perhaps?

I'm useless when it comes to computers and gadgets so keep that in mind when dealing with me

Download The Bible App Now - 100% Free

Michie · 2025-12-02T10:15:34-0600

Father-daughter dances usually don’t make the news. But a recent event in Louisiana went viral because of its setting: America’s largest maximum-security prison. On Nov. 22, the nonprofit organization God Behind Bars helped 29 inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, reconnect with their daughters in a memorable way.

Incarcerated men who had been selected for their good behavior wore tuxedos, presented flowers to their dressed-up girls, and danced the night away with them. Organizers transformed a space in Angola’s Bible college into a prom-like setting, with pink petals, balloons, and drapes.

Tears flowed as some fathers met and hugged their daughters for the first time; others reconnected after years apart. The men surprised their guests by performing a line dance they’d been rehearsing. Dads also gave each of their girls a handwritten letter and a Bible with highlighted passages.

God Behind Bars Sponsors Father-Daughter Dance at Angola

Continued below.

29 Inmates at America’s Largest Maximum-Security Prison Attend Father-Daughter Dance Thanks to God Behind Bars

On Nov. 22, God Behind Bars helped 29 inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary reconnect with their daughters in a memorable way.

churchleaders.com

The Barbarian · 2025-12-02T10:15:06-0600

I'm thinking that Trump was supposing that the democrats would never stoop so low as to Gerrymander states they controlled.

It's a truism that grifters are themselves quite gullible.

Michie · 2025-12-02T10:12:15-0600

Chris Pratt, Jonathan Roumie, and Gwen Stefani are helping to guide participants through Hallow’s Advent prayer challenge leading up to Christmas. Hallow is a prayer and meditation app, and, this year, its prayer challenge features John Mark Comer’s book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.”

“It’s the most wonderful time of year: Christmas. The joy, the family time, the presents,” said actor Chris Pratt in a Dec. 1 Instagram video encouraging people to download Hallow and join the challenge. Pratt is an actor known for starring in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Jurassic World,” and “Parks and Recreation.”

The cookies,” he continued, holding up a plate of cookies before tossing them over his shoulder. “Of course, I don’t eat those any more.”

Continued below.

Chris Pratt, Jonathan Roumie, and Gwen Stefani Invite People to Hallow’s Advent Prayer Challenge

Chris Pratt, Jonathan Roumie, and Gwen Stefani are helping to guide participants through Hallow’s 2025 Advent prayer challenge.

churchleaders.com

eleos1954 · 2025-12-02T10:11:15-0600

9Rock9 said:
So, I heard a theory that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday, rather than Friday (as is commonly believed.) Therefore, he rose from the dead on Saturday (the Sabbath.)

Idk enough about this view to really either affirm or deny it, but is it a gospel issue?

Can a genuine Christian believe Jesus died on Wednesday, as long as he still agrees that he rose again three days later?

Regardless of the timeline, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are seen as the central act of salvation and the assurance of our own resurrection.

It does however affirms fulfilled prophesy and biblical truth which always helps us with our faith

NewLifeInChristJesus · 2025-12-02T10:09:56-0600

WordSword said:
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His ‘seed’ remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1Jn 3:9).

“His seed” is not the Lord Jesus, who would never be styled as such, but rather in His title. Nor is it the Holy Spirit, who also is always named such. It is something that is “created.” It is the “new man,” the holy nature born from the “divine nature” of Christ—created by Christ—which can never decrease! This is what is termed “created in righteousness and true holiness,” and “who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10).

In which assigns believers as “partakers of the divine nature” (2Pe 1:4). Not making one divine, but only “partakers” or recipients, in which the believer, along with the sin nature has been given a holy nature, which “cannot sin.” Thus Christians alone possess a dichotomy of contrasting natures, with the old man always coming short in the outcome; natural man with the single sin nature; and the Lord Jesus with a single nature—the Divine Nature! The crux is that of not wanting to sin intentionally, as Paul said, “The evil I do not want to do . . . Now if I do what I do not want to do” (Ro 19, 20). Paul even goes as far as to say, “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (Ro 7:17, 20). Of course, he is not disclaiming ownership of the sin, because the old man yet abides within. He is just revealing a fact.

Hence the dichotomy of the Christian is thus reveled by Paul saying he is sinning with the old nature or old man, like any believer; but he in his new man or new nature “serves God” (Ro 7:25). The reason why he can say “it is no longer I who do it,” is due to the position that he is “not in the flesh” (Ro 8:9), i.e. not “willfully” pursuing evil nor desiring it (Heb 10:26; Num 15:30).

John Gill: “the new man”; “for this is a creation work, and so not man's, but God's; and is made not after the image of the first man, no not as innocent, and much less as fallen; but after the image of Christ, to which the elect of God are predestinated to be conformed, and which is stamped in regeneration; and more and more appears by every transforming view of Christ, and will be perfected in heaven, when they “shall see Him as He is” (1Jo 3:2), and be perfectly like Him, who is not only the pattern, but the Creator of it, even the Author and Finisher of faith.”

This is the beginning of wisdom. With these great truths as the foundation, we go on to learn that there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Rom 8:1), that we are joined to the Lord and are one spirit with Him (1 Cor 6:17), that living in the Spirit compels us to walk in the Spirit (Ga 5:25), and that walking in the Spirit is the only way to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Ga 5:16-17). We can rejoice in the fact that the law's requirements for righteousness are satisfied in us because new life in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2-4). In short, we are able to stop pursuing righteousness because we already have it in Christ, and we are able to turn our attention to living out what He has already given us. New life in Christ Jesus is truly everything we need for life and godliness.

Michie · 2025-12-02T10:06:48-0600

Melissa Joan Hart, who is most known for her role in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and who is an advocate for World Vision, is celebrating that her 16-year-old son, Brady, chose to be baptized.

“[My kids] witness a lot of that faith,” Hart told Us Weekly, referring to her family’s faith practices. “And I think through that faith, they’ve just felt stronger.”

Melissa Joan Hart Was a ‘Mess’ as Her Son Was Baptized

Faith has always been a huge part of Hart’s family. Hart, who shares three boys—Mason, Brady, and Tucker—with husband, Mark Wilkerson, mentioned how they all pray before meals, before traveling, and for loved ones who are going through difficult times. The boys see Wilkerson “reading the Bible every morning at 5:30,” said Hart.

Continued below.

'A Shining Light for the Glory of God!'—Melissa Joan Hart 'Bawling' as Son Gets Baptized

Melissa Joan Hart, most known for her role in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," is celebrating as her 16-year-old son, Brady, chose to be baptized.

churchleaders.com

Desk trauma · 2025-12-02T10:00:05-0600

wing2000 said:
It wasn't enough to pardon the former narco President....now he wants to undermine Honduran elections.

Gotta line something up for after the three day cake walk in Venezuela.

NxNW · 2025-12-02T09:58:45-0600

FAITH-IN-HIM said:
Do you believe that none of these events will occur the next time Democrats win an election?

They haven't happened yet.

Michie · 2025-12-02T09:58:39-0600

Pope’s December prayer intention: ‘For Christians in areas of conflict’

Pope Leo XIV releases his prayer intention for the month of December, and invites the faithful to pray that Christians living in the midst of war may be seeds of peace.

As he prepares to depart on his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV released The Pope Video on Wednesday to accompany his prayer intention for December, which is for “Christians living in areas of conflict.”

“Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope,” he said in the video.

The Pope then offered a prayer to the God of Peace that Christians surrounded by pain may feel the “gentle kindness of your presence and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith.”

He prayed that God may help them strengthen fraternal bonds and become seeds of reconciliation that build hope and bridges of justice and mercy.

Pope Leo invited all Christians to pray that we may never grow indifferent to the suffering of other Christians, but rather that we may be builders of unity.

‘Unshakable faith even amid rubble’

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which produces the monthly Pope Video with Vatican Media, released a communique linking the prayer intention with his visit to Türkiye and Lebanon.

Even as the Middle East faces instability, Christian communities continue to safeguard the faith, serve the poor, and work together with people of other Churches and faiths to build bridges of coexistence.

“According to Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom Report 2025,” noted the statement, “the number of conflicts in the Middle East and the socio-economic conditions there expose religious minorities, and Christians in particular, to a condition of extreme vulnerability.”

In their “unshakable faith even in the midst of rubble,” Christian communities are coming back to life after recent wars and offering charitable aid and spiritual assistance to others.

“All of these are signs of the presence of that Holy Spirit who, as the prayer reads, the Pope says, is ‘the source of hope in the darkest times’.”

Text of Pope Leo’s prayer intention

God of peace,
who through the blood of Your Son
has reconciled the world to Yourself,
today we pray for Christians
living amidst wars and violence.

Even surrounded by pain, may they
never cease to feel the gentle kindness of your presence
and the prayers of their brothers and sisters in faith.

For only through You, and strengthened by fraternal bonds,
can they become the seeds of reconciliation,
builders of hope in ways both small and great,
capable of forgiving and moving forward,
of bridging divides,
and of seeking justice with mercy.

Lord Jesus, who called blessed
those who work for peace,
make us Your instruments of peace
even where harmony seems impossible.

Holy Spirit,
source of hope in the darkest times,
sustain the faith of those who suffer and strengthen their hope.
Do not let us fall into indifference,
and make us builders of unity, like Jesus.

Amen.

Michie · 2025-12-02T09:54:01-0600

Catholic bishops in the United States have expressed unified disapproval of the “indiscriminate mass deportation of people” as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported over 527,000 deportations and another 1.6 million self-deportations since Jan. 20.

Several Catholics in the Trump administration, such as Vice President JD Vance and Border czar Tom Homan, have invoked their faith to defend the heavy crackdown on migrants who do not have legal status in the country after the bishops’ message of dismay.

Caring for immigrants is a clear command in Scripture. Catholic teaching on the matter of mass deportations is somewhat nuanced, with obligations on wealthy countries to welcome immigrants and responsibilities for immigrants to follow the laws of the nations receiving them. The Catholic approach to immigration in recent decades has underscored mercy and respect for the migrants’ human dignity and prudence on the part of public officials to safeguard the common good, with an emphasis on a response to migrants that “welcomes, protects, promotes, and integrates.”

While Catholic teaching affirms human dignity and the right to migrate when necessary, debate has centered on the means of immigration policy.

Continued below.

CNA explains: When is a deportation policy ‘intrinsically evil’?

Caring for immigrants is a clear command in Scripture. Catholic teaching on the matter of mass deportations is somewhat nuanced.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

JustaPewFiller · 2025-12-02T09:51:31-0600

joymercy said:
Some of the homeless people we have been evangelizing are starting to come to church.

Its challenging to get them to stay for the entire service.

Many are very anxious and can be overwhelmed just being there.

But they are getting themselves over to the building and inside the door.

Often, there is getting up and down as well as pacing around, sometimes even talking a bit to them selves....

Yet, they are there. They are seeking. There is a light of hope in their eyes.

They respond to being welcomed inside with genuine warmth, and sometimes sitting with them for support.

With a welcome word of support and fellowship, said with sincere warmth, people do respond to that!

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how that went.

As with others here I'm also part of ministry that feeds and helps the local homeless. I do not know about the homeless in your area, but to be honest, there is a fairly large segment of homeless in our area that suffer from addiction, mental issues, or a combination of the two.

In the area where we feed, we had the homeless do all of the following on occasion - sudden outbursts of profanity or just yelling, arguing, fighting sometimes. Drug use, or dealing. "Tweaking out" - ie bizarre behavior while high and/or having a mental issue. Using the bathroom outdoors and in view of others. Stripping down. Sitting up camp / sleeping on the property. Destruction or vandalism of property. Theft. Passing out. Leaving trash scattered about.

Granted - not all of these happen all the time. Like, leaving trash scattered about happens all the time. An actual fight is rare. An argument or outburst of profanity isn't uncommon.

The churches in our area are aware of all of this behavior and most of them have had issues with the homeless sleeping on their property, breaking in, theft, property destruction, using the bathroom on church grounds, etc.. While some of the churches do have a heart for the homeless they are simply afraid to invite them in.

I will freely admit that far from all of the homeless are like I described above. It is more a case of "a few bad apples spoiling the barrel."

Did (or do) you face any of the above and how did you overcome it in getting the homeless into church and the church allowing it?

Michie · 2025-12-02T09:50:53-0600

The pope has approved the new General and Personnel Regulations of the Roman Curia, which come into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and which adapt the internal functioning of the Vatican bodies to the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium, promulgated by Pope Francis in 2022.

The document, approved “ad experimentum” (for temporary or provisional use) for five years, seeks to consolidate “an ecclesial service marked by a pastoral and missionary character.”

Documents in Latin... or in other languages

Among the most significant innovations is a historic change in linguistic matters. For the first time, the regulations stipulate that “the curial institutions will, as a general rule, draft their documents in Latin or in another language.”

Continued below.

Official Vatican documents can now be drafted in languages other than Latin

For the first time, the regulations stipulate that “the curial institutions will, as a general rule, draft their documents in Latin or in another language.”

www.catholicnewsagency.com

Hawkins · 2025-12-02T09:47:59-0600

I think that you can always start wtih attending the Sunday Services of a good church. A good church is a much less controversial type of church, such as a Baptist church. You can always asks around whether a church can be deemed good or not.

Michie · 2025-12-02T09:47:38-0600

Austrian nuns who escaped nursing home reject compromise, Vatican to decide

Three Austrian nuns have rejected a compromise to remain at Goldenstein Monastery, escalating a yearslong dispute that now goes to Rome.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

Michie · 2025-12-02T09:46:19-0600

An attempt at an amicable solution in the conflict over Goldenstein Monastery in Austria has failed: The three elderly Augustinian nuns have rejected a compromise offer from their religious superior, Father Markus Grasl, provost of Reichersberg Abbey. Now Rome is expected to decide.

“We are surprised and disappointed by the sisters’ decision. What Grasl already said is coming true: Now the next authority, namely Rome, will be involved,” Grasl’s spokesperson told the Austrian news agency Kathpress.

The religious superior had presented an agreement last Thursday that would have allowed the sisters, who are between 81 and 88 years old, to remain in Goldenstein. This accommodated their expressed wish, although he continued to prefer placement in a nursing home for medical reasons.

The agreement stipulated that the three sisters could continue living in the monastery — but under certain conditions. These included the restoration of the cloister, meaning the monastic rules for retreat and prayer that include areas off limits to nonmembers of the order. In addition, spiritual accompaniment by a priest from Reichersberg Abbey, 24-hour care, and reliable medical care were to be ensured. Registration on the waiting list of a nursing home in Elsbethen “within sight of the monastery” was also part of the offer.

Just one day later, the sisters rejected the agreement. According to APA (Austrian Press Agency), the proposal was turned down because of the conditions attached to it. Grasl had demanded the immediate “cessation of all social media activities” as well as “all active media contacts.”

Continued below.

Austrian nuns who escaped nursing home reject compromise, Vatican to decide

Three Austrian nuns have rejected a compromise to remain at Goldenstein Monastery, escalating a yearslong dispute that now goes to Rome.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

SabbathBlessings · 2025-12-02T09:44:40-0600

This is what I got from ChatGPT

1) Daniel’s timeline structure (Bible)

Daniel 2: four kingdoms, then divided phase, then God’s kingdom

Head of gold = Babylon (named) (Daniel 2:37–38)
Then “another kingdom… and another… and the fourth” (Daniel 2:39–40)
The feet/toes are divided: “part of iron and part of clay” (Daniel 2:41–43)
Then God’s kingdom replaces them all (Daniel 2:44–45)

So the Bible itself gives: one sequence → then a mixed/divided end phase.

Daniel 7: fourth beast → ten horns → little horn

Four beasts = four kingdoms (Daniel 7:17)
Fourth beast is unique/strong (Daniel 7:7, 19)
Ten horns arise, then a “little horn” rises and uproots three (Daniel 7:8, 24)
That horn speaks against God, persecutes saints, and “thinks to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25)

So the Bible adds detail: the late-stage power is not just political strength; it claims religious/dominating authority.

2) Where history is legitimately used (mapping unnamed kingdoms)

Daniel names Babylon (Dan 2) and names Medo-Persia and Greece (Dan 8:20–21). It doesn’t name the “fourth” kingdom in Dan 2/7. So historically people map:

Babylon → Medo-Persia → Greece → Rome

That mapping is not stated as “Rome” in the text, but it’s a reasonable historical fit many use.

3) The iron + clay step

What Daniel 2 explicitly says:

A divided kingdom, partly strong (iron) and partly brittle (clay) (Daniel 2:41–43)
There’s mixture, but it won’t truly “cleave” (hold together) (Daniel 2:43)

iron = government/state power
clay = religious power
the mixture = church + state

4) what the Bible can conclude

Bible can conclude (criteria):

A late-stage power:

arises in the 4th-kingdom phase (Daniel 7:7–8, 24)
persecutes saints (Daniel 7:21, 25)
claims authority in sacred matters (“times and laws”) (Daniel 7:25)

5) A Bible-first, history-second statement

Daniel describes a sequence of kingdoms ending in a divided/mixed phase (Daniel 2:41–43).
Daniel 7 enlarges the fourth kingdom and shows that from its later stage arises a horn that exalts itself in God’s sphere and persecutes the saints, even attempting to control sacred order (“times and laws”) (Daniel 7:8, 21, 24–25).
Since Daniel does not name the fourth kingdom, history is used to map it; many identify it as Rome, and therefore see the horn as rising out of the Roman phase and developing into a religio-political power.

Michie · 2025-12-02T09:42:44-0600

A new Nativity scene featuring faceless cloth figures installed on Brussels’ historic Grand Place — and the theft of the infant Jesus — have ignited fierce debate across Europe, with critics calling it an erasure of Christian tradition and supporters defending it as inclusive art.

The traditional wooden figurines have been replaced with forms made from recycled textiles, with faces consisting only of patchwork fabric in beige and brown tones. Artist Victoria-Maria Geyer crafted the Nativity figures out of cloth with no identifying facial features.

The installation, titled “Fabrics of the Nativity,” was selected through a call for proposals after city officials said the previous wooden Nativity had become too deteriorated to use. The dean of Sts. Michael and Gudula Cathedral was involved in the search for a new project and approved it, according to both municipal and church sources.

The installation drew immediate criticism on social media. Belgian national team soccer player Thomas Meunier triggered widespread reaction on X with his comment: “We’ve hit rock bottom... and we keep digging,” a post that was shared thousands of times.

Continued below.

Faceless Nativity in Brussels sparks fierce debate across Europe

Faceless cloth Nativity figures on Brussels’ Grand Place have sparked international debate over Christian tradition versus inclusive art.

www.catholicnewsagency.com

joymercy · 2025-12-02T09:42:08-0600

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New Posts

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God Behind Bars Sponsors Father-Daughter Dance at Angola​

Melissa Joan Hart Was a ‘Mess’ as Her Son Was Baptized​

Pope’s December prayer intention: ‘For Christians in areas of conflict’​

‘Unshakable faith even amid rubble’​

Text of Pope Leo’s prayer intention​

Documents in Latin... or in other languages​

1) Daniel’s timeline structure (Bible)​

Daniel 2: four kingdoms, then divided phase, then God’s kingdom​

Daniel 7: fourth beast → ten horns → little horn​

2) Where history is legitimately used (mapping unnamed kingdoms)​

3) The iron + clay step​

4) what the Bible can conclude​

Bible can conclude (criteria):​

​

5) A Bible-first, history-second statement​

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God Behind Bars Sponsors Father-Daughter Dance at Angola

Melissa Joan Hart Was a ‘Mess’ as Her Son Was Baptized

Pope’s December prayer intention: ‘For Christians in areas of conflict’

‘Unshakable faith even amid rubble’

Text of Pope Leo’s prayer intention

Documents in Latin... or in other languages

1) Daniel’s timeline structure (Bible)

Daniel 2: four kingdoms, then divided phase, then God’s kingdom

Daniel 7: fourth beast → ten horns → little horn

2) Where history is legitimately used (mapping unnamed kingdoms)

3) The iron + clay step

4) what the Bible can conclude

Bible can conclude (criteria):

5) A Bible-first, history-second statement