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Fulton Sheen on Comparing Religions Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen outlined the problems with the arguments that Christianity was derived from pre-Christian paganism, made in the early twentieth-century by men such as H. G. Wells, H. L. Mencken, and Sir James G. Frazer (author of The Golden Bough, an influential study in comparative folklore, magic, and religion). In Philosophy of Religion: The Impact of Modern Knowledge on Religion, written nearly sixty years ago and aimed at more scholarly works, Sheen lists false assumptions underlying comparative religion that provide a helpful apologetic yardstick for gauging works that claim "all religions are the...

Via Cosmos-Liturgy-SexArchbishop Fulton Sheen’s Cause for Canonization has been moving forward quite well lately. I hear that it appears that the miracle needed for his beatification will be found among those which have been pouring in recently (one of them, which I believe may already have been verified, was from a woman from my parish). A concern is that since he was such a prolific writer, the review of his voluminous writings may not be completed for some time and could, therefore, delay the process.For the review process, each document must be reviewed by two qualified persons. Qualified means: a...

Muslimism is the only great post-Christian religion of the world. Because it had its origin in the 7th century under Mohammed, it was possible to unite within it some elements of Christianity and of Judaism, along with particular customs of Arabia . Muslimism takes the doctrine of the unity of God, his majesty and his creative power, and uses it, in part, as a basis for the repudiation of Christ, the Son of God. Misunderstanding the notion of the Trinity, Mohammed made Christ a prophet announcing himself (Mohammed) just as to Christians, Isaiah and John the Baptist are prophets announcing...

Mary and the Moslems 11/1/01 Moslemism is the only great post-Christian religion of the world. Because it had its origin in the seventh century under Mohammed, it was possible to unite, within it, some elements of Christianity and of Judaism, along with particular customs of Arabia. Moslemism takes the doctrine of the unity of God, His Majesty and His creative power, and uses it, in part, as a basis for the repudiation of Christ, the Son of God. (The following was written in 1952 and reprinted in the October 2001 Mindszenty Report.) The Power of Islam by Archbishop Fulton ...

The question is asked, "Why does Pope John Paul II, and the Popes before him, strongly urge the use of Frequent Confession when Church Law does not mention this practice?"[1] It is true that the second precept of 'The Six Precepts of the Church,' [2] as well as Canon Law,[3] teach that Catholics shall confess their sins at least once a year. However, John Paul II and the Popes before him specifically teach the importance of frequent reception of the Sacrament of Confession for mortal as well as venial sins. [4] The reason is clear. There is clearly a crisis...

YONKERS, NY, USA, March 11 (CNA) - While pro-life supporters nationwide fight for the life of brain-damaged Terri Schiavo, whose feeding tube is scheduled to be removed March 18th, New York's Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are staging a different kind of campaign. The Yonkers chapter of the New York City-based order has started a prayer campaign asking for the intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. With Archbishop Sheen's help, the Friars are hoping for a miracle. Father Andrew Apostoli C.F.R., one of the friars, said that "the late Archbishop's TV show was called Life is Worth Living, and believed...

In the face of spreading agnosticism and relativism, the term 'reparation' is most unusual. Moreover, not only is the term unusual but also is its theology. We witness today the loss of the meaning of penance, prayer, fasting, confession, and reparation. The modernists call it change when its real name is decay. In a culture where sin is no longer considered sin, why should anyone make reparation? How many today remove the body of Christ from the Crucifix and look only at the empty cross. If we Christians have a Crucifix before us, instead of an empty cross, we...

By Barbara Kralis ©Barbara Kralis 2004 Catholic OnlineThe medical and scientific communities have recently proclaimed what Catholics have known for centuries – reciting the Rosary is good for you.[1]However, the medical experts missed the raison d’être for the origin of the Rosary when they hypothesized it was developed by man to give those praying a sense of well-being as a result of their slowed cardiovascular rhythms. Not quite, O men of modern science; but, nice try. In truth, Heaven was the originator of the Rosary.  The Blessed Virgin, in the 13th century, gave the Rosary to St. Dominic.  Because belief of...

Pressing Sainthood for a Beloved Archbishop By MAREK FUCHS Published: December 12, 2004 A long line of priests, nuns, deacons, relatives and fans wound its way into the crypt beneath the altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Their mission: the canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, one of the first priests to use TV to educate, inspire and even convert. Twenty-five years after the archbishop was buried in the crypt, a Mass was celebrated in his honor. The people who gathered at St. Patrick's on Thursday wanted to persuade the Vatican to declare the archbishop a saint. "It's like a kickoff,...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Sex and holy purity (Part One) Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis October 19, 2004 What is the single greatest gift a young man and woman can give each other in marriage? It is their holy purity or chastity. Without holy purity, human love — popularly known as 'sex' — becomes corrupt. There is no true human love without holy purity. What is the single greatest virtue a young man and woman find most difficult to practice in this 21st century? It is the virtue of holy purity or chastity. The sixth and ninth Commandment of God teaches...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Rectitude of intention Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis October 12, 2004 © Catholic Online 2004 Why do we hear so little mention of this virtuous idiom, Rectitude of Intention? Is it because the very meaning, per se, is a pox upon the relativism of our culture? What does this term, 'Rectitude of Intention' mean? It means having the correct intention in all that we do — in our daily work, our recreation, our civic obligations, and our religious duties — however, not for our glory but all for the glory of God. We live in an age...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Choices we make (Part Two) Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis October 8, 2004 © Catholic Online 2004 A long time ago, Sister Christine Joseph taught us to make the heroic minute on waking each morning. She taught our first grade class to pray: "Good morning, dear Jesus, this day is for you! I ask you to bless me in everything I think, say and do!" Sister said that our first waking thoughts and words should be of and toward Jesus. Why, in l950, did this wise holy nun teach such a 'state of readiness' to little children?...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Choices we make (Part One) Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis September 28, 2004 Heaven or hell, it is our choice. Which will it be? Will we choose the place and state of perfect and eternal happiness where we will see, face to face, the sight of God? Or, will we choose the place and state of eternal punishment, which consists of the deprivation of the sight of God (pain of loss) and the eternal fires (pain of sense)? Many years ago, comedian Flip Wilson used to lament, "The devil (deb-il) made me do it!" It was a...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Sacrificing for others Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis August 27, 2004 © Catholic Online 2004 Sac•ri•fice, n. the surrender or destruction of something valued for the sake of something else. Suicide or killing oneself is the evil of despair and the loss of hope. In contrast, self-sacrifice for someone else is a sign of hope, and an act of generosity and love. The two opposing actions, killing versus self-sacrificing, produce opposing results — despair versus hope, fear versus trust, indifference versus love. Nothing can compare with the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. In fact, the following splendid reality...

Augustine's account of his early life of wrongdoing would not shock very many in America today. His sins in the fourth century are the same grave transgressions suffered by far too many of us in the 21st century. Sic faciunt omnes — concupiscence of the flesh, renunciation of the Catholic Faith and the embracing of modernism (heresy). [1] What would shock many in America today would be the transformation he made from sinfulness to Sainthood, and not without a tributary of tearful petitions from his holy mother, Monica, to God, the Father of Mercy. As a beloved Son who imitated...