A couple of sites...

A couple of sites worth a visit:

One is the new CTS Blog where you can read the CTS's latest news, details of publications and so on.

The other is the 40 Days for Life site where you can find out about the nest 40 Days for Life campaign, from 9 March - 17 April.

Creation and Science

Creation and Science, by Dr William Carroll  CTS Explanations Series

This is not a book for the faint-hearted.  You may know what 'stochastic' means, but I had to look it up.  (OK, it means 'random', more or less).  Moreover, it is not the book for you if you want a simple evolution-bashing book.  That is not its purpose at all.  I had to keep reminding myself of that, as it seemed at times to accept the claims of evolutionary theory without question.  But as I said, challenging that is not its purpose.

Dr Carroll takes a more profound look at the whole question, and fundamentally at why it is that the Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, maths...) simply do not, and indeed cannot, address the question of creation.  Drawing in particular on the wisdom of Sts Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, he reminds us that God as Creator is not merely the initiator of change, he is he origin of all: he sustains us, and all else, in being.

Likewise God is not a cause amongst other causes, the 'god of the gaps' implied by some proponents of Intelligent Design to account for the really tricky bits that evolutionary biology struggles to explain; rather he is a cause at a different metaphysical level, the cause that enables other causes (laws of nature, even random mutation) to be causes themselves.  He does not compete with such causes: he wills them to be what they are.

In this way, Dr Carroll reminds us that we do not have to see God and Darwin in competition with each other.  God is truly God, regardless of any developments in the Natural Sciences.  Dr Carroll sees it as a failing on both sides when these world views seem to collide.

On the one hand, Christians operating from too superficial and simplistic a view of what it means to acknowledge God as Creator, feel challenged by a science that claims to explain more and more about the origins of life and the universe, when such explanations simply do not challenge the Christian idea of a Creator God properly formulated; and on the other hand, some zealous secular scientists overstep the boundaries of their professional expertise when they make metaphysical claims based on scientific truths or theories.

But Dr Carroll in this book is addressing Christians, so it is their lack of understanding he is most keen to address.  But he also gives us the tools to identify and challenge where secular scientists overstep the mark.  For as he concludes: The natural sciences, philosophy and theology discover complementary, not competing truths about nature, human nature and God.  Not only is there no contradiction between creation and the natural sciences, without creation there would be no science at all.

As I remarked at the beginning, this is not the easiest of the CTS booklets to read and understand, but I should make it clear by way of conclusion that it is well worth the effort.

Wicca and Witchcraft

Wicca and Witchcraft CTS Explanations Series - by Elizabeth Dodd

Whilst not as laugh-out-loud as Finding Life's Purpose, this book did raise a smile with 'modern Wiccans do not, unfortunately, use their brooms for transport.'


But I am succumbing to my old habit of jumping ahead of myself.

This is actually a very well structured and well researched book.  After an initial introduction, setting the context, the author takes us through a brief history of Wicca showing its direct descent from 19th century occultism (and not as modern mythology likes to have it from pre-Christian practices).

She then outlines what witches believe, only slightly hampered by the fact that there is no common creed, no common authority, and no common text: so it's a bit like Anglicanism, only more so: basically you can believe what you choose within some rather broad guidelines.  Nonetheless, she is able to trace the major themes that most Wiccans would hold to, and this is very informative.

The next chapter looks at Wiccan Practice.  Again, I found this informative: I had scraps of this knowledge gleaned here and there, but there was a lot I hadn't known;  this chapter also contains the wonderful quotation I cited at the start of this review.

The next chapter is on Wicca and the Church, and explains precisely why any Wiccan belief or practice is quite incompatible with Catholic Faith.  Even so-called 'White Magic' is perilous for both soul and body, and is forbidden both by Sacred Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church: all this is both referenced and clearly explained.

So far the book has been pretty robust, not taking any hostages with regard to refuting Wiccan claims for the ancient roots of their religion or the benignity of their magic.  However, the author now goes on to consider the appeal of Wicca to young people, and 'How to Evangelise a Witch.'

These chapters demonstrate a high level of sympathy, respect and understanding for those who, possibly genuinely seeking the good, have found their way into this unholy religion.  She explains the appeal of Wicca, particularly to girls and young women, and the questions to which it appears to provide answers; and also how the Church provides true answers to those questions.

Finally, there is a useful Bibliography, should you need to deepen your knowledge and understanding.

In short, this is well worth reading: more and more young people are seduced into this false religion, and it is important for us to understand it, its appeal, and our response.

Gaudí - Inspired Architect for God - Pope Benedict XVl Published by CTS

I was wrong-footed by the title of this booklet: I had thought it was going to be about Gaudí.  In fact, it is a collection of the Holy Father's addresses on his visit to Spain.  He visited Compostela, and Barcelona, to consecrate Gaudí's Cathedral (Sagrada Familia).

So half of the book is about the pilgrimage to Saint James, and half about Barcelona.  Naturally in the parts about Barcelona, Gaudí's faith and works are mentioned, but nonetheless, I feel the title of the booklet to be misleading.

Having said all of which, it is still worth reading - as is everything written by the current Holy Father which I have read so far.

The opening sermons and speeches focus on the theme of pilgrimage and witness, and the need for the re-conversion of Europe; major themes of his pontificate so far.  'Europe must open itself to God, must come to meet him without fear, and work with grace for that human dignity which was discerned by her best traditions: not only the biblical, at the basis of that order, but also the classical, the medieval, and the modern, the matrix from which the great philosophical, literary, cultural and social masterpieces of Europe were born.'


The second half consists of the sermons and addresses at Barcelona.  Here we do hear a little about Gaudí and his work, and in particular his inspiration: the book of nature the book of sacred Scripture and the book of the liturgy... he made stones, trees and human life part of the church so that all creation might come together in praise of God.'


Pope Benedict relates Gaudí's great creative achievement (or sub-creative, as Tolkien would remind us) directly to its source: the secret of authentic originality consists, as he himself said, in returning to one's origin which is God.'


We also learn of Gaudí that he 'financed from his own savings the creation of a school for the children of the workers and of the poorest families in the neighbourhood.'  But that is about all.

So if you are looking for a book about Gaudí, this will disappoint: you learn a little, but only enough to make you want to learn a lot more.

But if you are looking for a book that proclaims aspects of the Gospel in the context of the Holy Father's visit to Spain, with reference to St James of Compostela and Antoni Gaudí, this is a rich booklet.

Finding Life's Purpose

Finding Life's Purpose - Inspiration for young people with Benedict XVl Published by CTS

It is not often that I laugh aloud when reading a CTS booklet - in fact I can't remember ever having done so before.  But on reading 'Joseph [St Joseph of Cupertino] was investigated (and exonerated) by the Inquisition because of his antigravitational activities,' I was hooting, and by the time I got to 'He is the patron saint of ... air travellers' the tears were practically rolling down my cheeks.

But I am getting ahead of myself (and maybe I was simply in jocund mood, having been reading of St Thomas More's capacity to make jokes on the scaffold, and St Josephine Bakhita's infectious smile and joy - but I am getting ahead of myself again).

This is actually a great book: a wonderful idea, very well-executed.  It builds on the Holy Father's recent visit, and aims to continue his message to young people to seek and find the true purpose of their life, in the love of God.  Approaching 50 myself, this still spoke to me (and of course one only has to remember Our Lord's command: unless you become like little children..., to remember that we are none of us too old to learn.)

The first three chapters are taken from three of the Holy Father's addresses whilst in England.  The first Happiness comes from friendship with God, is from his address to school children at Twickenham.  Reading it now, I can hear his voice again as he calls the young people to be saints.

The second chapter, Discover the purpose of your lives, comes from his address to the youth gathered outside Westminster Cathedral (our second daughter, Clare, was there, and was deeply affected by his words and his person).  'I ask you to look into your hearts each day, to find the source of all true love.  Jesus is always there, quietly waiting for us to be still with him and to hear his voice. [snip] and in discovering our true self, we discover the particular vocation which God has given us for the building up of his Church and the redemption of our world.'  This is the vision our Holy Father has for our young people: to become saints, to restore the Church and to to redeem the world, under the leadership of Christ.

The third chapter, Radiate Christ's love to all, was his address that same day to the crowds in Hyde Park.  (Clare was there too).  Reflecting on the forthcoming beatification of Cardinal Newman the following day, the Holy Father issues a stirring call to action: ' Faith is meant to bear fruit in the transformation of our world through the power of the Holy Spirit at wok in the lives and activities of believers.  No one who looks realistically at our world today could think that Christians can afford to go on with business as usual, ignoring the profound crisis of fait which has overtaken our society...'  He continues, specifically addressing the younger people present: 'Only Jesus knows what 'definite service' he has in mind for you.  Be open to his voice resounding in the depths of your heart: even now his heart is speaking to your heart.'


The next chapter, Making the best of school and study is an attempt by the anonymous author(s) of this book (though from the style, I have my suspicions...) to bring the Pope's high ideals into the concrete reality of the young people who have now returned to their schools.  It addresses the specifics of school life, placing it in a context of Catholic growth, and has a helpful set of tips for studying.

The final section, Turn to the Saints, suggests a number of saints whose intercession may be particularly appropriate for the different difficulties school children may encounter.  It then offers a brief biography (typically a page) of each and some suggested prayers to each.  This is very well done, and I judge it will appeal to my children (I'll try it out on them later).  And perhaps it is only a mark of my frivolity that I collapsed in laughter right at the finish...