Catholic Research Articles

Time as a Category in Survivors' Reports About Child Sexual Abuse: An Explorative Approach to Lifetime Abuse.

Since the 1990s, cases of serious violence and abuse, particularly sexual abuse in educational and social institutions of the Catholic Church, have been reported in numerous countries, including Ireland, the United States, and Australia. In many countries, commissions have been set up to investigate the widespread cases of abuse that could not be prosecuted under criminal law. The testimonies of survivors and other witnesses are used by the commissions of inquiry in their work. Since 2016 the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in Germany has collected more than 2,500 reports from survivors of child sexual abuse. Forty-four testimonies were analyzed in a study seeking to understand more about lifetime abuse. In an explorative analysis, aspects of time as a key category in the reports were identified using the structured content analysis method. The results highlight the importance of time in the reports and during all phases of the survivors' lives. Overall, four themes are relevant: (a) the identification of turning points, (b) time to make sense of what happened, (c) the practice of waiting, and (d) time-bound experiences of testifying.

The Offence of Abduction in Canon Law and Kidnapping in Polish Penal Law—Selected Issues

The article examines the issue of abduction and kidnapping in the modern world. This issue is analyzed in two legal systems: the canon law of the Latin Rite Catholic Church and Polish penal law. The choice of these two systems aims to highlight the consistency in understanding and penalizing the offence of abduction (kidnapping). A mixed-method approach, incorporating both analysis and synthesis, is employed in this study. The analysis is comprehensive and multifaceted, while the synthesis aids in organizing and integrating the findings on this topic.

„W tej sytuacji sprawę znów odłożono”. Kwestia prawosławia w województwie krakowskim na marginesie sprawozdania Wydziału do spraw Wyznań z 1969 r.

After World War II, the displacement of the population irreversibly changed the ethnic and religious structure of south-eastern Poland. The Lemko people who lived in the districts of Nowy Sącz and Nowy Targ were displaced from the area of the Kraków voivodeship. Most of the people belonging to this ethnic group were of the Greek Catholic faith. In the interwar period, however, some of them converted to Orthodoxy. There were nine churches of this religion in the Nowy Sącz district. All of them were closed due to the displacement of the faithful. The liberalization of the system allowed expatriates to return. For many reasons only few of them returned. None of the Orthodox parishes in the Krakow Province resumed their activities. However, efforts were made to set up pastoral centers. This was met with the reluctance of the local authorities. In 1969, the national religious administration conducted a survey on the functioning of the Orthodox Church in the country. In response, a report was prepared on the situation of this religion in the Krakow Province.

A Stylistic Study of "The Windhover" by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) is the greatest religious poet and Jesuit priest of the Victorian age who was born in London in the rapidly changing time, fundamentals, visions and sights. He wrote many poems such as “The Windhover”, “The Wreck of the Deutschland”, “God’s Grandeur”, “Spelt from Sibyl’s Leaves”, “I Wake and feel the fell of dark, not day”, “Carrion Comfort”, “Pied Beauty”, “Felix Randal”, “Binsey Poplars” and “Thou art indeed just, Lord” but none of them was published in his life. when he decided to become a Jesuit, he burned all his literary works as he felt that they were against the principles of his Catholic religion. His friend, Robert Bridge kept a copy of his poems and published them in 1918. As a Jesuit priest, Hopkins infused his personal religious devotion into his poetry. The Windhover reflects his intense spiritual connection. For him The Windhover is “the best thing I ever wrote”. The Windhover is not the love poem which is addressed to any person, (even though “To Christ our Lord”), but to the life itself. The Windhover is the masterpiece of Hopkins style, imagery, in which he fuses the beauty of nature with the divine and religious believes. In order to reach his goal, Hopkins used figures of speech, sprung rhythm and different forms of sound patterning. This study is a stylistic analysis of The Windhover from the graphological, phonological, lexical, structural and semantic points of view. The Windhover stands out for its innovative style, vivid imagery, and seamless integration of nature and faith, a combination that distinguishes it from other religious poems. Keywords: Gerard Manley Hopkins, Victorian poet, The Windhover, Stylistic Study.

“A Colony to Themselves”: Scottish Highland Settler Colonialism in British North America, 1770–1804

Abstract This article explores the links between anti-Catholicism in the United Kingdom and the acceleration of settler colonialism in British North America, and it does so by considering two group migrations from Catholic districts in the North West Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Occurring over 30 years apart, the Glenaladale settlement (1772) in Prince Edward Island and the Glengarry settlement (1803) in Upper Canada offer instructive insight into how anti-Catholicism activated Highland Catholic colonial agency. Not only did significant numbers of Highland Catholics choose to quit Scotland forever, but their settlement in places like Prince Edward Island and Upper Canada accelerated the process of settler colonialism and the establishment of the Catholic Church. The colonies at Glengarry and Glenaladale were peopled by settlers who were doubly motivated to settle in the empire. They stood to prosper economically—certainly—and they also stood to gain the freedom to practice their faith free of obvious interference. To the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands they settled, the consequences were not softened by this pretext for settler colonization, and too often the history of anti-Catholic discrimination in the four nations elide the fact that Catholics were enthusiastic colonizers elsewhere, and that the two processes were often related.

The Paradox of Prestige: Unravelling Personal Snobbery in Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited (1945)

Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited (1945) is undoubtedly his best and most famous fictional text. Ever since its publication, the novel has been studied and addressed copiously and from different perspectives. It has, for instance, been frequently studied on religious grounds with clear reference to Evelyn Waugh’s Catholicism. In this regard, some studies have investigated the influence of St. Augustine on the novel while some others have explicitly addressed the Catholic faith in the text. Besides, some studies have critically read Waugh’s novel with connection to John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Other studies have analyzed the topics of class and gender in the novel as its chief characters demonstrate a class gap apparently belonging to lower and upper classes. Further studies have touched upon the concept of moral and religious decadence as reflected in the novel, whereas more studies treated the topic of manliness and masculinity as depicted in the novel. Yet, no study—to the researcher’s best knowledge—has critically examined the issues of the paradox of prestige and personal snobbery in the novel in a single effort. In view of that, the current research study aims to address and analyze the paradox of prestige and unravel the personal snobbery in Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited. The paper at hand also aims to address and study the various aspects of the social and religious life and their backgrounds such as class, etiquette and mannerism, gender and sex and others to find out how they affect and influence characters in their overall attitude, thinking and way of life. Keywords: Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh, Paradox of Prestige, Unravel, Personal Snobbery

The role of catholic faith on health - post-pandemic: theological reflection

Health is one of the main elements in human life. Everyone always gives ample space for their health. However, sometimes people forget this when their life goals are not well understood or are limited to certain achievements. This scientific work examines the reinterpretation of the Catholic faith as a search for human nature and how the Catholic faith and health are actually an inseparable unity because humans are complete creatures. Apart from that, this scientific work also reflects the ideal human attitude in facing crises, especially health crises in the new post-pandemic era, namely "Being human also means being a healthy human being" because humans who are able to find faith can understand it. the importance of health in their lives. For those who understand the integral relationship between the Catholic faith and health, this provides confirmation of the true dignity of human beings, including their relationship to "the Divine."

Role of the Catholic Church in addressing environmental crisis in Chuka Igambang’ombe Sub-county, Kenya

Role of the Catholic Church in addressing environmental crisis in Chuka Igambang’ombe Sub-county, Kenya

Teaching Catholic Religion in Croatian Public Schools: Legal Frame and Challenges

This paper explores the Croatian framework of collaboration between the state and the Catholic Church in the educational field, specifically the teaching of Catholic religion in public schools. First, the statute of the subject of religion was analyzed, following what is established in the Agreement with the Holy See and its Development Agreement with the Croatian Conference of Bishops. Some challenges to this peculiar model of cooperation were revised, mainly the ones regarding the enrollment and the co-responsibility of both ecclesiastical and state authorities in the approval and control of programs and contents. Second, the status of religion teachers was also evaluated. The same ecclesiastical and state authorities also have competence over the teaching staff, from their training to the control of their work, and must confront inconvenient situations related to the suitability of these professionals. In the study of each section and its corresponding rules and practices, it was possible to outline singular aspects, in some cases recognized—or rejected—judicially as discriminatory. This approximation to the right to religious education intends to examine the practice observed by the respective authorities in applying such provisions. The obtained findings and proposals about the singular Croatian model provide a useful contribution for comparative purposes.

‘They lived happily ever after’? Practices of sustaining the durability of Roman Catholic marriage in the context of transformations in intimacy in late modernity

Although in late-modern societies the idea of a ‘forever’ relationship has lost its dominant status, it is consistently upheld by the Roman Catholic Church. The aim of the article is to analyse the practices of sustaining the durability of Catholic marriage, which we treat as ways of adapting to the tensions between late-modern models of intimacy and the rule of indissolubility of marriage. We refer to data collected in qualitative research among educated Roman Catholic women in Poland. Using the lived religion approach, we demonstrate how these women sacralise actions within marriage that have been secularised in the late-modern world, while also using late modernity as a reservoir of meanings, leading to hybridisation of religious practices. We argue that sustaining conservative religious rules is often based on actions in which religious aspects are negotiated and transformed. Religion operates ‘non-autonomously’ in these processes, entering a relationship with elements that are originally not religious.

Genders, sexualities, and Catholic schools: towards a theological anthropology of adolescent flourishing

ABSTRACT Good religious education needs to be rooted in a robust theological anthropology. The Roman Catholic Church’s gender complementarity approach is inadequate for accompanying adolescents in Catholic schools as they engage in questions of gender and sexuality; instead, educators need a theological anthropology oriented towards adolescent flourishing. To construct a more capacious theological anthropological approach, one that is still authentically Catholic and rooted in the Church’s official documents, this essay turns to Pope Francis’ Christus Vivit and Fratelli Tutti. From Francis’ concern for mercy and accompaniment, a theological approach to the goodness of adolescence is described, which can ground theological reflection on gender and sexuality in love and human dignity, rather than shame and exclusion.

Slavery and the Catholic Church in the United States: Historical Studies ed. by David J. Endres (review)

Slavery and the Catholic Church in the United States: Historical Studies ed. by David J. Endres (review)

The Existence of Muhammadiyah in Education to Fulfill The Promise of Independence in East Nusa Tenggara

This article describes and explains Muhammadiyah's contribution to East Nusa Tenggara. The figure of KH. Ahmad Dahlan, with the Muhammadiyah organization, has answered every need of society, from Islamic renewal to working in the social, preaching, and education sectors. Muhammadiyah has eradicated backwardness, poverty, and ignorance and carried out total resistance against formalism and religious conservatism by breaking down "TBC" (Tahayul, Bid'ah, and Churafat). Because Muhammadiyah truly believes that Islam is a religion that contains progressive values. East Nusa Tenggara is known as an archipelago province because it consists of many islands. The number is more than 500 large and small islands, both named and unnamed. The large islands include Flores Island, Lembata, Sumba, and Alor. The islands that are relatively small and have names include Semau Island, Rinca, Komodo, Permaan, Kojadoi, and many more. The people of East Nusa Tenggara (well known as NTT) are mostly Catholic Christians, more than 55%, Protestant Christians, around 35%, and Muslims, only around 10%. Muhammadiyah locally has an organizational agenda as a response to the conditions of the people in remote areas of the country. While nationally, there is a special agenda related to the needs of the organization. This article uses qualitative methods to analyze the data related to the topics. As a finding, since the beginning of its existence, Muhammadiyah has indeed been intended as a da'wah institution that focuses on strengthening the capacity of the people. Muhammadiyah, in carrying out its mission to educate the nation's generations both before and after independence, can provide an image to the NTT community that Muhammadiyah has actually contributed to fulfilling the promises of independence. This can also be felt by the NTT community, especially in the fields of education, health, and social. This is proven by Muhammadiyah establishing schools, orphanages, and health clinics. Muhammadiyah has contributed a lot to upholding this country on its path. The strength and spirit that have been rooted since 1912 have been able to survive and continue to exist in this beloved country.

Power and its exercise in the Vatican City State

AbstractThe problem of relations between Church and state has existed from the very beginnings of Christianity and has evolved over centuries. The dominant model today is one of separation between the state and religious communities. In the context of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican City State remains the only exception to this principle. This article examines the tensions inherent in the way in which the Roman Pontiff, as head of the Vatican City State, exercises both religious and secular power, and how rule of law principles operate to constrain the operation of power as between the various organs of this state.

Colloquium of Anglican and Roman Catholic Canon Lawyers

Colloquium of Anglican and Roman Catholic Canon Lawyers

Circulation of books, manuscripts, and ideas between Hungary and Italy. Cultural transfers in the environment of György Klimo, Bishop of Pécs (1751-1777)

The period between 1750 and 1800 witnessed a significant transformation in the modernization of Hungarian culture and literature. The members of the ecclesiastical elite, who had completed their studies at the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum in Rome, played a pivotal role in this process; they emerged as key figures in the Catholic renewal upon their return to Hungary following their studies in Rome. Their contributions extended beyond the revitalization of the Hungarian Catholic Church and religious life, encompassing the reconstruction of bishoprics, the establishment of educational institutions and libraries, and the publication and dissemination of both religious and secular literary works. This dissemination of knowledge was also closely intertwined with the influential court in Vienna. On the one hand, the rich heritage of ancient Rome played a crucial role in reshaping the baroque tradition. High-ranking clerics began to take a keen interest in the historical context of their immediate surroundings, initiating local excavations and conducting research in the Vatican Archives. On the other hand, they were greatly influenced by the vibrant culture of contemporary Rome, including Catholic reform efforts, the patronage of the Roman aristocracy, and the volumes of recent Italian literature. This paper explores the cultural influence of Bishop György Klimo of Pécs through an analysis of his correspondence with members of the ecclesiastical aristocracy in Rome and Vienna. Notably, Klimo made significant contributions to the spreading of Ludovico Antonio Muratori’s ideas in Hungary. He also played a pioneering role in disseminating knowledge by being the first among his contemporaries to open his personal library to the public. Furthermore, he commissioned research at the Vatican to compile a comprehensive history of his diocese. By examining Klimo’s endeavors, we gain valuable insights into the transformative influence of Roman culture on the Baroque tradition in Hungary. Moreover, the analysis sheds light on the distinct and organic development of the Italian line within Hungarian culture.

Reformation and Modernity: Catholic Printing in Kerala in the Nineteenth Century

In examining the religious implications of printing, there is a scholarly consensus that Protestant Christianity, rather than Catholicism, played a central role in popularising print technology by disseminating religious materials in vernacular languages. This article builds upon this widely accepted hypothesis and seeks to explore the religious aspects of print modernity in Kerala, a southern state in India. The focus of this study is on the Catholic Church’s engagement with printing and the development of Catholic print capitalism in Kerala, with a special emphasis on the nineteenth century until the 1870s. This paper investigates how the Catholic Church interacted with and mediated with the printing press as an agent of modernity, particularly in response to the flourishing Protestant missionary engagements in the region.

An Overview of the Reformation brought by Christianity: A Historical and Bibliometric Perspective

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive historical and bibliometric analysis of the Reformation in Christianity, emphasizing its profound influence on religious, social, and political landscapes. The Reformation, initiated by key figures such as Martin Luther, marked a pivotal shift from the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the establishment of various Protestant denominations and significant reforms within the Catholic Church. This study integrates historical narratives with bibliometric methodologies to identify prevailing trends, influential works, and key contributors in Reformation studies. Analysing scholarly publications from 1964 to 2024, the paper highlights the evolution of research focus, emerging areas of interest, and the broader implications of Reformation principles on contemporary issues, including human rights, environmental activism, and socio-political reforms. The findings underscore the enduring legacy of the Reformation and its relevance to modern-day religious and socio-political contexts.

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF A DUAL RELIGIOUS IDENTITY : CONFUCIAN CHRISTIAN IN JULIA CHINGS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

This essay explores the spiritual journey of Julia Ching (1934-2001), a prominent sinologist who sought to reconcile her Catholic faith with Confucian philosophy. Raised in a Catholic tradition, Ching faced crises of faith that led her to abandon her nun identidy and engage deeply with Eastern spiritual practices. This essay examines the fundamental theological and philosophical differences between Confucianism and Christianity, highlighting the inherent contradictions in attempting to maintain a dual religious identity. While Confucianism emphasizes moral philosophy and social harmony without a central divine figure, Christianity is rooted in the worship of one God and adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ. This essay argues that the exclusive doctrines of Christianity and the ritual practices of Confucianism are ultimately incompatible, making it impossible to fully integrate these two traditions into a single religious identity. Julia Chings experience thus illustrates the complexities and challenges of navigating multiple spiritual allegiances.

Stressors and coping mechanism among university students

Background: Stress is a global public health challenge that affects all ages especially students, it is responsible for major psychological breakdown and considered to be a silent killer. This study aimed at investigating the factors influencing stress among students with emphasis on socio-demographic profile, stressors, the effects and coping mechanism. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was utilized, with 230 subjects from different colleges at the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF), Pangasinan, Philippines; Data was retrieved using semi structured questionnaire and analyzed using the frequency distribution table, percentage, average mean, the weighted mean and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Result: The result showed that most respondents were 17-19 years old (38.3%), males (63.0%), Roman Catholic (64.3%), in the Allied Health Sciences (53.0%), 2nd year level (39.6%) whose parents were married (88.3%), mostly working in the private section (mothers: 33.0%) and (fathers; 51.3%), earning more than Php10,000.00 (48.7%) per month. Students are moderately stressed by various stressors as evident by the symptoms though developed various coping strategies however, these stressors could be physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral in nature. A relationship exists between age, sex, program of study, parent’s occupation and stressors, while the effects of stress is positively related to age, sex, religion, year level, marital status and parents occupation. Nevertheless there was a positive relationship with various coping mechanism. Conclusion: In conclusions, stress is an inevitable aspect of life with various effects on students, it is important to develop policies to evaluate the impact among students to avoid its consequences.