From The Deacon's Bench comes news that the Archdiocese of Washington has a plan for implementing Amoris Laetitia on a parish level.
What's the plan and can it be trusted is the question that comes to mind. Deacon Kandra has links and, what is more important, he asked his friend Deacon Bill Ditewig analyze the plan. Ditewig is a deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington and a theologian with over a quarter century of pastoral and ministerial experience. His commentary upon the pastoral plan was thorough and impressive. It certainly captured my attention by providing much needed context. He gives the plan thumbs up but do go read the whole thing. Here's a bit ...
The document’s first significant contribution is context. In the Preface, Cardinal Wuerl makes clear that the Plan incorporates not only the teaching of Amoris Laetitia itself, but also the two Synods which preceded and inspired it. For me this is a most important reminder. Far too frequently, observers have attempted to read and comprehend the pope’s Exhortation without this context, and that, in my opinion, is not only inadequate but dangerous. “Text” always requires “context”, and the Cardinal makes this clear: to understand and to implement Amoris Laetitia, one must situate it within that broader global synodal process. Amoris Laetitia, precisely as a post-synodal apostolic exhortation, reflects not merely the personal teaching of the Holy Father himself; it is that, certainly, but so much more. The work of the preceding synods involved representatives of the world’s episcopal conferences, extensive consultation and research over several years, and intense discussions during the synods themselves. All of this reflected both the importance of the challenges facing contemporary families and the diversity of pastoral responses needed to help them.
What the "average German" really thought during WWII
We often read in history books statements about what people knew and thought during historical events. What's particularly interesting reading an extensive diary account such as this is seeing precisely what a German man with his eyes open (ordinary in all senses other than being anti-Nazi) saw and thought as events unfolded.DarwinCatholic reviews My Opposition which was the secret diary of an ordinary German citizen during WWII. Darwin shares extensive excerpts. The review and excerpts were fascinating so I can only imagine how the book must grab you, provided you enjoy reading a diary.
Best Films of 2017
Steven Greydanus has a round up of best film lists from a lot of Christian film reviewers.
