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Michie · 2025-12-17T09:11:07-0600

What are the advantages, perils and unwanted consequences of Pope Leo XIV’s Tuesday evening ‘doorstep’ exchanges with the press at Castel Gandolfo?

It has become a new papal convention.

Every Tuesday evening, as Pope Leo XIV departs for the Vatican after his now routine day of rest at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo just outside Rome, he will stop and chat with the press.

Reporters ask the Holy Father questions relating to whatever is in the news, usually to do with world politics or the Catholic Church, and the Pope spontaneously responds with unrehearsed answers. The format resembles a “doorstep scrum” or “press gaggle,” which is common for politicians or celebrities when engaging with the media.

For a pope, however, this is a first. No supreme pontiff, not even Pope Francis, who liked to be interviewed as pope, has stopped to speak to the press in such an ad hoc way. In-flight papal press conferences, begun by Pope St. John Paul II, are similar but they are infrequent and more controlled.

Pope Leo’s own motives for taking this media approach remain unclear. He first started the practice in June when journalist Ignazio Ingrao from Italy’s state broadcaster RAI collared the Holy Father as he left Vatican Radio territory near Rome.

The Holy Father seemed comfortable answering Ingrao’s questions, especially as they were on topics that interest him: sustainability, the environment and threats to world peace. But the exchange was striking in that, for the first time outside of a papal trip, it removed a certain recognized distance the pope naturally enjoys as the Vicar of Christ.

Continued below.

When the Vicar of Christ Joins the Media Scrum

COMMENTARY: What are the advantages, perils and unwanted consequences of Pope Leo XIV’s Tuesday evening ‘doorstep’ exchanges with the press at Castel Gandolfo?

www.ncregister.com

BBAS 64 · 2025-12-17T09:07:10-0600

Good day

I story is often told about how CHS was challenged by someone with regard to his smoking of cigars (being sinful). The story goes on to say that based upon this challenge CHS quit smoking his cigars. I heard this so many times and no one could give me a primary source for this story, come to find out it is just that a story with no basis in historical facts.

Phil Johnson's 2021 presentation on the question first (13 mins)

Login to view embedded media
And the web site with the source information that he points to:

Spurgeon's Love of Fine Cigars

In Him

Bill

bling · 2025-12-17T09:06:16-0600

There are good reasons why these books are not in the canon. The Holy Spirit protected and preserved through willing humans what He wanted in and out of His Bible. The Holy Spirit inspired individuals to write what they did write, preserve it and protect it. He also did not want me to have what I might think He inspired to be included in the Bible.

BobRyan · 2025-12-17T09:05:17-0600

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God sets up a standard against him.

With some focus you will be able to pray to God in a dream and see how He rescues even then

rjs330 · 2025-12-17T09:05:09-0600

BCP1928 said:
The reality is that we were talking about a religious schooi in Alabama, not violent criminals acts.

I think we moved beyond just that.

Michie · 2025-12-17T09:02:24-0600

This abandonment of theological sanity and pastoral responsibility coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, in which German bishops played significant roles.

When it was first published in 1993, Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical on the reform of Catholic moral theology, Veritatis Splendor(The Splendor of Truth), dealt a severe blow to the pride of many German theologians, who had long thought themselves the cutting edge of Catholic intellectual life.

Indeed, within a year of the encyclical’s publication, a book composed entirely of essays critical of John Paul’s deeply humanistic explication of Catholic teaching on the path to happiness and beatitude was published in Germany — because, its editor explained, Germany had a special obligation to police the Church’s theological precincts. Who had appointed German theologians to this supervisory role was left unstated. So was the idea that seemed to undergird much of the German Catholic intellectual resistance to John Paul II: German theologians must be smarter than a Pole.

German resistance to the papal magisterium antedated John Paul II, of course; it would be hard to find a prominent German theologian (or bishop, for that matter) who defended Pope Paul VI after he issued the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae on the morally appropriate means of regulating fertility. But much has changed since then, and the locus of progressive Catholic revisionism in moral theology has shifted from contraception to homosexuality.

And now the German resistance to the truths taught by Humanae Vitae and Veritatis Splendor has metastasized into what seems to be an embrace of the claims of gender ideology and the “trans” movement by most of the country’s bishops.

Continued below.

German Bishops’ Conference, Over the Cliff

COMMENTARY: This abandonment of theological sanity and pastoral responsibility coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, in which German bishops played significant roles.

www.ncregister.com

samaus123456789 · 2025-12-17T09:01:06-0600

Paleouss said:
Greetings again Samaus, thank you for your time and patience with me. It is my hope that God is present in our conversations and His truth is forwarded.

I know of no instance in which God said a number. But that is an irrelevant objection to our problem. God gave us events. The two points one needs is (1) The events that the prophets starting saying that God is now cutting you off...and... the event God says His prophets will return. We won't have exact day or minutes, but we don't need that detail to find the truth of this topic.

Within the biblical text, the ancient Hebrews had a problem with being susceptible to the surrounding people groups and their teachings about magic, gods, spirits and the teachings about demons. This is well documented in the Bible. As early as the book of Exodus, magic was prohibited among the Jewish people; evidenced by the Scripture, "You shall not permit a sorceress to live” (Exo 22:18). In Deuteronomy it says practicing in such empty beliefs is an “abomination” (Deu 18:12) and no one should make their children practice “witchcraft” or be “a soothsayer”, or one who “interprets omens”, or “a sorcerer”, or a conjurer of “spirits” (Deu 18:10-12).

The Jewish people, within their culture, had a BIG problem with bringing in the beliefs of outside concepts about spirits and demons and God punished them for it. Punished by having other nations conquer the Jewish people.

So it is written that the Jewish people “shall have night without vision” (Mic 3:6) and there will be “a famine on the land” (Amos 8:11) but this famine is not one of food but a famine of “hearing the words of the LORD” (Amos 8:11). According to Micah “The sun shall go down on the prophets, And the day shall be dark for them” (Mic 3:6) for there will be “no answer from God.” (Mic 3:7).

Above is only some verses where the decree by God cut off the Jewish people from prophets and visions.

I could go on endlessly on the biblical examples of the Jewish people being punished for their incorporating the false beliefs about spirits and demons, like the Holy Scripture telling us that the Jewish culture had “followed idols” like the “nations who were all around them” (2King 17:15). And during King Jeroboam’s reign in Judah, “he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made” (2Chr 11:15 NKJV).

Could you please give me your verse, source, or reasoning behind this claim?

So my question still remains from my post #2, is God made out to be a lier? If you have done half as much of the research you appear to have done...then you know perfectly well the verses that claim an end to prophets and visions until Elijah, and that the Jews of the day held the same belief.

Great conversation samaus. Peace to you brother.

◄ Luke 16:16 ►

“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.
God never said prophecy stopped 400 BC which you claimed. Jesus was saying old covenant prophecy continued all the way up until John the Baptist. What verse do you think God said prophecy stopped 400 BC? Are you calling Jesus a liar?

JosephZ · 2025-12-17T08:59:46-0600

stevevw said:
Some of these Islamist leaders have been celebrating the massacre of Jewish people at Bondi beach and the crowd is cheering. They are calling this a victory, a celebration and a call to rise up against the Jews

This reminds me of Oct 7th all over again. A Jewish massacre and people celebrating.

There haven't been any legitimate reports of Islamist leaders or crowds celebrating the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

Christmas fireworks mischaracterised as 'Islamists' celebrating Bondi Beach shooting

Fact Check: Muslim cleric celebrates Bondi Beach attack in Sydney? This video is 2 years old

samaus123456789 · 2025-12-17T08:58:17-0600

Carl Emerson said:
Clarifying then - is Rev 12:11 referring to all believers or only those martyred?

Revelation 2 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

That was written to one of the pre 70 AD churches but I still think it applies to today that Christians will get a good reward the crown whatever it is if they keep the faith to death.

Rev 12 11 is a prophecy but written past tense of what I assume was only that first century AD generation of Christians, and no one today but it is still saying someone overcomes the devil by keeping the faith of Jesus even unto death like those first century people did.

d taylor · 2025-12-17T08:57:33-0600

-

My Truck can not take 4 more years of Trump, gas just went up another 15 cent from 3.19 to 3.34

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:56:09-0600

We often mistake intelligence for wisdom, but only goodness helps us see reality as it truly is.

I had to tell a Catholic woman I know, a kind and thoughtful woman, that someone she had known had been a sex abuser. “But how could he have been?” she said, mentioning how nice he had been, and then added, “He was so smart.”

That wasn’t so odd a response as it may seem. We Americans, I think, tend to connect intelligence with insight and wisdom, as if having the first meant having the second, and to connect insight and wisdom with goodness. It’s more instinct and attitude than conviction. We think of Doctor Who more than of Dr. Frankenstein, Gandalf and Galadriel more than Sauron and Saruman. I’ve heard and read a lot of people say what the Catholic woman said.

The most famous, indeed notorious, example is the collective “best and brightest” who led America into the Vietnam War. The only aspect of their characters that made them the “best,” as they were called at the time, was being part of America’s intellectual elite. They were “best” because “brightest,” but it turned out that in trying to shape the world to America’s demands, they weren’t that bright, because they weren’t wise or good enough to see that they couldn’t control the world the way they thought they could.

The Limits of Intelligence

Continued below.

Some People Are Too Smart for Their Own Goodness

COMMENTARY: We often mistake intelligence for wisdom, but only goodness helps us see reality as it truly is.

www.ncregister.com

DaisyDay · 2025-12-17T08:54:13-0600

essentialsaltes said:
Abbott on Monday sought to distance Turning Point from any particular political party, comparing it to organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes currently present in many public schools.

Yeah right - does this have plausible deniability?

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:52:57-0600

The Conviction of Jimmy Lai, a Hero for Fundamental Freedoms

COMMENTARY: Today’s false conviction demonstrates the Catholic media magnate’s personal heroism, and the demise of Hong Kong’s independence from Communist China’s oppressive regime.

www.ncregister.com

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:50:23-0600

Uganda’s defense authorities have confirmed that a priest serving the Catholic Diocese of Masaka, whose disappearance earlier this month sparked concern and prayers from the bishop, is in the custody of security forces over alleged criminal activities.

In a Dec. 12 statement, the acting director of defense public information, Col. Chris Magezi, said Father Deusdedit Ssekabira was arrested in connection with what the military says is “involvement in violent subversive activities against the state.”

Magezi added that Ssekabira is being held as investigations continue. “Reverend Father Deusdedit Ssekabira is currently in lawful custody to assist with further investigations into the matter,” the Ugandan defense official further said.

According to Magezi, the case will proceed through formal judicial channels. “He will be produced in the courts of law and charged accordingly,” he said in his one-page statement but did not provide further details on the alleged activities or the duration of the investigation.

Continued below.

Uganda army confirms arrest of priest over alleged state security threats

According to a statement, Father Deusdedit Ssekabira was arrested in connection with what the military says is “involvement in violent subversive activities against the state.”

www.catholicnewsagency.com

Tuur · 2025-12-17T08:46:14-0600

Rescued One said:
"There is no peace on Earth, " I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men…

Then pealed the bells
More loud and deep,
“God is not dead
Nor does He sleep.”

The wrong shall fail,
The right prevail
With peace on earth,
Good will toward men.

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:37:01-0600

Apologist Frank Turek recently offered his perspective on whether Christians should attend the wedding of a family member who cheated on his previous spouse.

Turek is an author and podcaster. He is the founder and president of the Christian apologetics ministry CrossExamined, and he is the author or co-author of several books, including “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be an Atheist.”

Turek spoke to the issue of divorce and remarriage in the context of a reply to an audience member’s question at a speaking event.

The questioner explained, “My brother committed adultery against his wife, and they got a divorce. And then my brother then wanted, sometime later, to marry the person that he committed adultery with. And he wanted me to come to his wedding, and I told him that I would not come to his wedding.”

Continued below.

‘Love Does Not Mean Approval’—Frank Turek on Whether Christians Should Attend Wedding of Couple Whose Relationship Began as an Affair

Apologist Frank Turek recently offered his perspective on whether Christians should attend the wedding of a family member who cheated on his previous spouse.

churchleaders.com

NxNW · 2025-12-17T08:36:28-0600

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:32:02-0600

Christian leaders and influencers have been quick to blast President Donald Trump’s comments that followed the murder of beloved filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner (78) and his wife, film producer Michele Singer Reiner (68).

According to reports, Rob and Michele were allegedly murdered by their 32-year-old son, Nick, on the afternoon of Sunday (Dec. 14). One of Reiner’s daughters alerted authorities after discovering Rob and Michele in their home with both of their throats slit. Nick was later arrested and is being held without bond. Rob was previously married to actor Penny Marshall from 1971-1981. He married Michele in 1989.

Reiner is known for directing the films “A Few Good Men,” “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “Stand by Me,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “The American President.”

Continued below.

Christian Leaders Denounce President Trump’s Rob Reiner Comments as 'Vile' and 'Shameful'

Christian leaders have been quick to blast President Donald Trump’s comments that followed the murder of beloved filmmaker Rob Reiner.

churchleaders.com

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:28:42-0600

Albert Mohler Calls Kirk Cameron’s Annihilationist View on Hell a ‘Fatal Error’

Revising the doctrine of hell equates to “tampering with the gospel,” warned Dr. Albert Mohler, and trying to make the gospel conform to human expectations is “a fatal error.”

Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, responded to controversy sparked by a recent discussion on “The Kirk Cameron Show.” Evangelist Kirk Cameron and his young-adult son James shared their opinions about hell on a Dec. 3 podcast episode. The pair said they lean toward the teachings of annihilationism or conditionalism, which hold that unbelievers and the wicked will cease to exist rather than suffer eternal torment.

Continued below.

Albert Mohler Calls Kirk Cameron’s Annihilationist View on Hell a ‘Fatal Error’

Dr. Albert Mohler warned in a response to Kirk Cameron that revising the doctrine of hell equates to “tampering with the gospel."

churchleaders.com

LoricaLady · 2025-12-17T08:25:46-0600

Maybe seek medical help too. Praying for her…

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:22:01-0600

Nicki Minaj has continued to raise awareness on social media about the plight of persecuted Nigerian Christians who've been enduring attacks for years, which some Christian groups have decried as a genocide the world has ignored for far too long.

Minaj posted a series of comments on Xlast Friday expressing support for Christians in Nigeria who are facing ongoing persecution. In her first post, Minaj declared: “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other grounds is sinking sand. All other ground … is sinking sand.”

“FREE THE CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA!” she exclaimed, accompanied by several emojis of the Nigerian flag. “STOP THIS NOW!”

Continued below.

Nicki Minaj advocates for Nigerian Christians, quotes Bible: 'Shed not their blood'

Nicki Minaj has continued to raise awareness on social media about the plight of persecuted Nigerian Christians who ve been enduring attacks for years, which some Christian groups have decried as a

www.christianpost.com

Anonymous9090 · 2025-12-17T08:21:14-0600

Pray Christians Emphasize Private & Corporate Devotion & Worship over the Serious Mistake of finding False counsel/peace in AI:

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/12/16/the-race-for-an-ai-jesus-is-on

The Barbarian · 2025-12-17T08:20:27-0600

RileyG said:
Has he officially been diagnosed?

He's recently had several MRIs, and he's had several tests given to people to detect dementia. But no official news of the results.

President Donald Trump boasted that he has undergone more cognitive decline tests than any other president in history during a wild late-night rant.

In a Truth Social post in which he bragged about how hard he works and called for The New York Times to cease publication, Trump also made reference to the fact that he has “aced” three Montreal Cognitive Assessments, a test designed to screen for early dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

“In addition to the Medical [assessments], I have done something that no other President has done,” he wrote in the 488-word rant, ”on three separate occasions, the last one being recently, by taking what is known as a Cognitive Examination, something which few people would be able to do very well, including those working at The New York Times, and I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know.”
“I have been told that few people have been able to “ace” this Examination and, in fact, most do very poorly, which is why many other Presidents have decided not to take it at all.”

Trump, 79, Boasts About Taking Three Separate Dementia Tests

The president bragged about his results in a late-night social media rant.

www.thedailybeast.com

He's frequently sundowning in public now:
During a White House press conference alongside French president Emmanuel Macron on Monday (February 24), Trump was asked about trade between the US and neighbouring countries Mexico and Canada.
,,,
"I look at some of these agreements and I say who would ever sign a thing like this. The tariffs will go forward, yes. We’ll make up a lot of territory. Our country will be liquid and rich again."

It was Trump who signed “those things”.

MSN

Michie · 2025-12-17T08:16:39-0600

An Anglican Church in North America bishop has been found not guilty by an ecclesiastical court of mishandling abuse cases in his diocese.

According an ACNA press release from Monday evening, Bishop Stewart Ruch III of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest, which is based in Wheaton, Illinois, was found not guilty on the charges of "Habitual neglect of episcopal duties," "Conduct giving scandal, including abuse of ecclesiastical power," "Violation of ordination vows" and "Disobedience to canons."

“The Court unanimously found Bishop Ruch not guilty on all four charges, citing the prosecution’s failure to meet the canonical burden of proving the charges by clear and convincing evidence," stated ACNA.

Continued below.

Anglican Church bishop found not guilty of mishandling sex abuse cases

An Anglican Church in North America bishop has been found not guilty by an ecclesiastical court of mishandling abuse cases in his diocese

www.christianpost.com

probinson · 2025-12-17T08:15:34-0600

MarkSB said:
You have way too much time on your hands bud. A ranting post that long is proof.

Not worth my time.

First you ask me to explain my position. So I do, using facts and evidence. Then you dismiss it as a "ranting post" and don't address any of the facts or evidence presented.

And then you want me to believe you care about evidence? Not likely.

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The Limits of Intelligence