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The Pillar Substack provides news and analysis on the Catholic Church, covering topics like ecclesiastical reforms, Vatican security concerns, church doctrine, significant religious events, and responses to global issues. It delves into the synodal process, Church teachings, and personal reflections on faith and morality.

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The hottest Substack posts of The Pillar

And their main takeaways

Pope Francis' FernĂĄndez miscalculation?

196 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Pope Francis
  1. Cardinal VĂ­ctor Manuel FernĂĄndez had a challenging start as prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF)
  2. His appointment was controversial, with critics questioning his suitability for the role
  3. Pope Francis may have originally preferred Cardinal Joseph Tobin for the position at the DDF

Starting Seven: February 8, 2024

117 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. The newsletter is called Starting Seven by The Pillar.
  2. Luke Coppen is the one guiding readers to the most interesting Catholic news and comment.
  3. Access to the post and comments is exclusive to paying subscribers.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

‘Weaponization’ — House Speaker on FBI and ‘traditionalist’ Catholics

137 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Religious freedom Law enforcement Conservatism Government oversight Public Policy
  1. A group of Catholics celebrated a Mass at the U.S. Capitol, following a controversial FBI memo on Catholicism.
  2. The FBI memo raised concerns of targeting traditionalist Catholics for their beliefs, linking them with extremist views like white nationalism.
  3. Lawmakers are still investigating the origins and impact of the FBI memo on Catholic Americans, with ongoing concerns about religious liberty.

Starting Seven: January 23, 2024

137 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
  1. Starting Seven is a daily newsletter by Luke Coppen focusing on Catholic news.
  2. Access to the full content is for paying subscribers only.
  3. Options to subscribe or log in are provided for accessing the content.

Concerns about CL culture persist after abuse allegations made public

157 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Abuse Culture Leadership Reforms
  1. The Communion and Liberation movement acknowledged abuse allegations against its former U.S. leader, but concerns remain about the culture that allowed abuse to happen.
  2. Some members of the movement had positive experiences, while others highlighted problems centered around the former leader, Chris Bacich.
  3. While the movement has implemented safe environment policies, there are reports of violations and concerns that the culture needs to be examined for further reform.

Starting Seven: January 30, 2024

117 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
  1. The newsletter is called Starting Seven by The Pillar
  2. Luke Coppen guides readers to engaging Catholic news and comment every weekday morning
  3. Access to the newsletter requires a paid subscription

What exactly is sacred music?

98 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
  1. The meaning of 'sacred music' may be unclear to many Catholics, but it is emphasized for its importance in liturgies.
  2. There are differing viewpoints on what constitutes sacred music, but elements like Gregorian chant and polyphony are often prioritized.
  3. Implementing sacred music in liturgies involves ongoing education, blending different cultural traditions, and understanding its significance in encountering the transcendent.

Why a papal trip to Vietnam is now possible

137 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
  1. A papal visit to Vietnam, once seen as unlikely, is now becoming a real possibility.
  2. Progress is being made towards a papal visit due to recent breakthroughs in diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.
  3. The positive prospects for a papal visit to Vietnam are fueled by strengthening ties and parallels with other countries like Myanmar.

Starting Seven: January 29, 2024

117 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
  1. The newsletter is called Starting Seven
  2. Luke Coppen guides readers to interesting Catholic news and comment
  3. Access to the full post is for paying subscribers only

Starting Seven: February 6, 2024

98 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
  1. The newsletter is called Starting Seven by The Pillar
  2. The author, Luke Coppen, guides readers to interesting Catholic news and commentary
  3. Subscription is required to access the full content

Starting Seven: January 25, 2024

117 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. Starting Seven is a daily newsletter for Catholic news and comment
  2. This particular post is for paying subscribers only
  3. You can subscribe or log in if you already have an account

Starting Seven: January 31, 2024

98 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
  1. The newsletter is daily and focuses on Catholic news and opinions.
  2. Access to the full post requires a subscription.
  3. There are options to subscribe or log in if you are already a member.

Starting Seven: January 16, 2024

117 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
  1. Luke Coppen guides readers to interesting Catholic news and commentary each weekday morning.
  2. Access to the daily newsletter is for paying subscribers only.
  3. Options provided for subscribing or logging in for already existing accounts.

Starting Seven: January 26, 2024

98 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
  1. The newsletter 'Starting Seven' by The Pillar is daily and focused on Catholic news and comment.
  2. Access to some posts is exclusive to paying subscribers.
  3. Engagement through comments is evident on the platform.

‘A mountaintop moment’: How the Eucharistic Congress wants to unify the Church

78 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. In six months, 80,000 Catholics plan to gather at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana for the National Eucharistic Revival.
  2. The revival involves parish leaders fostering Eucharistic devotion and will culminate in a national pilgrimage and Congress.
  3. Efforts are made to attract a wide demographic, unify the Church amidst division, and make the Congress accessible through partnerships and digital platforms.

Warming shelter at Wisconsin parish builds bonds of trust, community

117 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. The Bible study group at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh, Wisconsin includes homeless individuals.
  2. Establishing trust and relationships is crucial when working with the homeless community.
  3. Approach working with homeless individuals with empathy and genuine care, rather than an agenda.

Starting Seven: February 7, 2024

78 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. The newsletter is called Starting Seven by The Pillar.
  2. Luke Coppen guides readers each weekday morning with interesting Catholic news and commentary.
  3. Access to the full post requires a subscription.

Capitol Latin Mass: ‘Traditional Catholics are not terrorists’

98 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
  1. Catholics gathered for the Traditional Latin Mass at the U.S. Capitol for the first time.
  2. The Mass was a response to a controversial FBI memo labeling traditional Catholics as a security threat.
  3. Organizers faced challenges due to restrictions on the Latin Mass, showing ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church.

Belgian Church fights order to erase baptismal entry

98 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
  1. The Catholic Church in Belgium is appealing a decision to erase a baptismal entry due to a rise in 'debaptism' requests.
  2. Baptismal records cannot be deleted according to Catholic teaching, but notes can be added indicating a request for 'debaptism.'
  3. There has been a significant increase in requests for 'debaptism' in Belgium, attributed partly to current events and media coverage of issues within the Church.

Who will be the Syro-Malabar Church’s next leader?

117 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
  1. The bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church gathered to elect a new leader after the resignation of Cardinal George Alencherry.
  2. The process of electing a new major archbishop involves prayer, meditation, and closed-door voting by the Synod of Bishops.
  3. Possible candidates for the role include Bishop Thomas Tharayil, Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt, Archbishop Joseph Pamplany, Bishop Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, and other respected leaders.

Nienstedt case points to transparency tug of war

98 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
  1. A former archbishop will not be charged with canonical crimes after a Vatican-ordered investigation, but will face restrictions on his ministry as a priest.
  2. The announcement about Archbishop Nienstedt's case brought more questions than answers, leaving many uncertainties.
  3. Despite the resolution of Archbishop Nienstedt's case, there is still a lack of transparency and clarity surrounding the actions taken and the justice served.

Starting Seven: February 2, 2024

78 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. The newsletter is called Starting Seven
  2. It provides daily Catholic news and commentaries
  3. Access to the post is for paying subscribers only

The Vatican’s Ukraine peace mission is not over

98 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. The Vatican made efforts to help end the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomatic visits and peace initiatives.
  2. Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of negotiations and international law in resolving the conflict.
  3. There have been recent developments in freeing prisoners of war with the involvement of the Vatican and Pope Francis.

The original ‘49ers’ chaplain

58 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. Catholics prayed for the miners during the gold rush in California in 1849.
  2. Bishop Joseph Alemany initially refused his appointment as a bishop in California.
  3. Despite challenges like disease and violence, Alemany established schools and churches in California.

India’s bishops: ‘Attacks on Christians now common’

58 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India expressed concern about increasing attacks on the Christian minority in the country, including destruction of properties and false accusations of conversion.
  2. India's Christian population accounts for around 2.3% of the total population, with more than a third of Indian Christians being Catholic and belonging to different church branches.
  3. The CBCI highlighted alarming socio-political trends in India, such as religious polarization and weakening of democratic institutions, urging for protection of constitutional rights and social harmony.

‘Barbie Jesus’ - Why Seville’s Holy Week poster is an international debate

58 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
  1. Annual Holy Week celebrations in Seville are significant culturally and attract tourists worldwide.
  2. The controversial Holy Week poster in Seville, featuring an untraditional depiction of Christ, has sparked debate about artistic freedom and religious sentiment.
  3. The painting has ignited diverse opinions, with critiques ranging from theological concerns to questions about tradition and artistic expression.

Starting Seven: February 5, 2024

58 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
  1. Luke Coppen offers daily guidance on Catholic news and comment
  2. Access to the newsletter requires a paid subscription
  3. Opportunity to engage through comments on the content

The Vatican’s ‘two Chinas’ problem

78 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
  1. Bishop Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou has been routinely harassed and arrested for dissenting from the state-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
  2. China is making unilateral decisions regarding bishops and dioceses, challenging the Vatican's authority.
  3. The Vatican-China deal is at risk as the reality of church structures in China diverge from the agreement, leading to a potential divide between Rome and Beijing.

Catholic families left homeless as Nigerian explosion kills 2, leaves 77 injured

58 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
  1. A massive explosion in Ibadan, Nigeria left 2 dead, 70 injured, and many families homeless.
  2. The explosion was caused by a suspected illegal mining site, flattening buildings within a large radius.
  3. Parishioners and residents were affected, with some accusing a mining company of storing explosives in homes.

Seminarians helped fight Nigerian seminary blaze

58 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
  1. An electrical fault likely caused the fire at Christ the King Major Seminary in Nigeria, destroying student and staff belongings.
  2. The inadequate road infrastructure in the region hindered the arrival of the fire department to help fight the blaze.
  3. Despite the fire destroying part of the seminary, no lives were lost, and there are plans to rebuild with estimated costs around $110,000 USD.

Catholics join battle for Poland's pro-life laws

39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
  1. Catholic medical association in Poland urges new prime minister to abandon plans for abortion up to 12 weeks.
  2. Poland's new governing coalition faces internal divisions over the abortion law, making it challenging to pass legislation.
  3. The debate on abortion in Poland reflects wider issues of secularization and the influence of the Catholic Church in society.