In his foreword, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino (who chaired the committee that produced the text) notes that Pope John Paul II commissioned the work in order to support and orient the action of Christians, whose entire lives should be acts of evangelization, as they go about their lives and engage with others.  The introduction proclaims … Continue reading Compendium – Foreword and introduction

In recent years, we have been reading and hearing ever more frequently about ‘social justice’.  Less frequently is the term defined, or its underlying assumptions identified.  Occasionally, however, discussions about ‘social justice’ do reveal some of the ideological commitments of its proponents – and these commitments are often profoundly opposed to Church teaching.  In our … Continue reading The Social Doctrine of the Church

St Peter Favre was one of the first Jesuits. He spent part of his career in Germany helping to reconvert Protestants to the Catholic faith. An excerpt from one of his letters (ca. 1565) to the second Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Diego Lainez, is a helpful reminder to the faithful: "Whosoever desires … Continue reading A helpful reminder from St Peter Favre

Please help us support the seminarians who are training to serve the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston by writing letters of encouragement. The following seminarians may be reached at: Mount St. Mary’s Seminary16300 Old Emmitsburg RoadEmmitsburg, MD 21727 Dominic Re, 1st Pre-TheologyBryan Tedeschi, 1st Pre-TheologyTyler Boyd, 2nd Pre-TheologyJohn Soplinski, 2nd Theology Joe Derico (1st year college) may … Continue reading Supporting our seminarians

For an article on the Bransfield statement which includes comments by the international head of our lay apostolate see here. For a couple of responses by priests in our Diocese, see here and here (beginning at 11:30).

A few days ago Michael Bransfield issued a statement about the scandal that he has caused in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and Bishop Brennan released a letter providing some clarifications.  These developments provide an opportunity to reflect on the state of our Diocese and what work remains to be done to ensure that it continues … Continue reading Bransfield’s false apology and the state of our Diocese

The Lay Witness newsletter is a quarterly publication of Catholics United for the Faith intended to assist in the formation of the laity; to examine, in the light of the official teachings of the Church, important issues of concern to Catholics; and to help direct and coordinate the efforts of members in carrying on their … Continue reading Recent issues of Lay Witness

The Apostolic Penitentiary has recently issued a decree granting a Plenary Indulgence "to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy … Continue reading Special Indulgences during pandemic

We invite you to join the St John Henry Newman Chapter of Catholics United for the Faith.  CUF is an international lay apostolate founded in 1968 to support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church (for more information, see https://cuf.org/). Lay Catholics from across our Diocese recently formed the St John Henry Newman … Continue reading Invitation to join our chapter