The Ends of Contemporary Gnostic Thinking

Extensive tattoos and multiple skin piercings amaze most people over sixty. Yet there seems hardly a word of critique of these body deformations in journals. Thinking about Gnosticism, I suspect that this ancient philosophical aberration … [Read more...]

Questions Answered

Donating one's body for research? And, Sacrament of Reconciliation for those already baptized who are received into the Church at Easter Vigil?

Question:  Can Catholics donate their bodies for scientific research, and, if they do, what care must be taken of the body for Christian burial? Answer: A number of dioceses have published guidelines to be used in just such cases, as … [Read more...]

Cremation: Recalling Some Basic Catholic Truths

The Church rescinded its prohibition on cremation, but does not consider burial and cremation equally valid methods. The Newark Star-Ledger reports that acceptance of cremation is growing: 40% of deaths in America (and 40% in New Jersey) … [Read more...]