Home to the dissidents

Under the atheist jackboots of the Communists, the tiny East German Catholic Church disengaged from the State, in contrast with the Protestant Church, which opened its doors to all and became the catalyst for the change that led to the tearing down of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago...

Ready for Rome

Last weekend, Anglicans who favour closer links with the Vatican met in London to express their delight at Pope Benedict’s announcement of an Apostolic Constitution. It is what they have been working towards for more than 20 years...

Waiting for the small print

US reaction to the Pope’s overtures to Anglicans has been mixed as for nearly 30 years dissenting Anglican communities have had a special ‘pastoral provision’ to ease their theological concerns...

Membership is not automatic

Despite last week’s announcement of new fast-track measures for Anglicans wanting to convert, special preparations are still necessary befor they can be received into the Catholic Church, as an experienced catechist explains...

Could Mary be the woman in black?

The campaign to save Sawston Hall, a sixteenth-century Catholic ‘safe house’, from the developers hangs on the provenance of a painting that might, or might not, be by Holbein...

For all the saints

Before the Second Vatican Council, the prayer for this day asked we be fortified by the constant prayer of the saints, and rejoice in venerating them. Today, writes Daniel McCarthy, we instead adore God in them, and rather than relying upon their intercession, we implore God directly...

Communities of the holy

Faith deepens as people worship with their fellow believers. This companionship – literally ‘sharing bread together’ – is the heart of community. The feast of All Saints is an occasion to recognise the holiness of fellow parishioners...

Funny old world

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