Catechism of the Catholic Church Archives

Catechism of the Catholic Church

How prayer helps us ‘gain a new horizon’ and better understanding of Easter mystery

April 01, 2024

As we see the Lord Jesus in prayer, there are certain practical pointers we can learn from him, even while there is a mystery at play. In his prayer, the Lord’s divine and human nature are expressed and we can learn from him in both these ways. As we seek to pray, we have no

Like us, Jesus had to learn how to pray too

March 18, 2024

The call to prayer requires teaching and encouragement. While we were made by God and for God, and have a natural desire for union with God, we need help in understanding and realising how to pursue and live this union with our heavenly Father. As we have to learn how to pray, the same is

Following the difficult path of prayer in a fallen world

March 12, 2024

Prayer is a difficult path to follow in a fallen world and in the midst of an increasingly secular and technological society. The odds are always against prayer. It requires a desirous heart to begin to pray, and a firm, well-formed heart to persevere in the life of prayer. As a help to this challenge,

Euthanasia deaths in Belgium reach record high

March 06, 2024

Deaths by euthanasia in Belgium have hit a record high, new government figures have revealed. The number of people dying by a lethal injection at the hands of their doctors has also nearly doubled in the space of just 10 years, according to the Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia. Statistics show that in

Psalms speak to our frustrations this Lent in the battle against temptations

March 04, 2024

As Christians, we are called to a life of prayer. As we seek to respond to this call and live a life of prayer, we need the set prayers of our Catholic tradition, just as we also need the spontaneous prayer that comes directly from our own hearts. Both are needed if our life of

Divinity and practicality: Encountering God and all the affairs of human life in the psalms

February 26, 2024

While the psalms are the inspired Word of God, they are also a forum for the human heart to cry out to God. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: “The Psalter is the book in which the Word of God becomes man’s prayer.” In addition, the psalms cover the plethora of human life. No

Avarice and apathy: Post Office scandal reveals a loveless culture in need of Catholic virtue

January 18, 2024

The New Year in the UK began with a scandal that has been described as the “worst’ or “most widespread” miscarriage of justice in British history dominating the headlines and debates in Parliament. The Post Office, the United Kingdom’s (semi-privatised) premier governmental department responsible for initiating the distribution of mail and deliveries, knowingly allowed its

Time to ‘seriously discuss’ ending priestly celibacy in Catholic Church, declares Maltese archbishop

January 09, 2024

An archbishop viewed as a major ally of Pope Francis has called for the end to the discipline of priestly celibacy in the Catholic Church. Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna said the time was ripe “to discuss the issue seriously” – and to give priests the choice to marry. “This is probably the first time I’m