Mike McCormick, author, Substacker, witness

I think Austin Ruse raises some profoundly important questions about Fr James Martin SJ in his latest Crisis Magazine article & I find myself agreeing with his criticism. For a start, I have been attending Mass for over five decades and cannot remember ever hearing a sermon devoted to condemning homosexuality or even mentioning it. Not one. Yet Martin repeatedly presents anecdotes suggesting that gay Catholics are being driven from the Church by relentless denunciations from the pulpit. I find these stories impossible to believe, particularly as representative of ordinary Catholic parish life. But there is a much more fundamental problem here. The Catholic Church does not teach that people experiencing same-sex attraction are somehow less worthy of love, dignity or belonging, quite the opposite. She teaches that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God, called to holiness, and capable of living a life of profound love and fulfilment. What she does not teach is that sexual expression is essential to human happiness and this distinction is absolutely essential. Our sexuality is not simply an appetite demanding satisfaction. It is an integral part of the human person, ordered towards a particular understanding of love, marriage and the gift of self. Chastity is not a punishment for those who cannot marry. It is a virtue to which every Christian is called, according to their state in life. I believe people experiencing same-sex attraction deserve sensitive, intelligent and compassionate pastoral care. But what sort of care would it be to suggest, even implicitly, that the Church's moral teaching is an obstacle to their flourishing? What is the point of bringing people into the Church if we are unwilling to introduce them to the fullness of what she believes? Ruse also raises the notorious Fiducia Supplicans photograph. The supposedly spontaneous blessing of two men, conveniently captured by a New York Times photographer, was an extraordinary piece of publicity. Whatever the precise arrangements, it was clearly a public media event, not merely a private pastoral encounter. What makes this still more concerning is that one of those men, Jason Steidl Jack, subsequently contributed a testimony included in the Synod's Study Group 9 report, presenting his same-sex marriage as an expression of God's grace. The study group's own commentary then appeared to move beyond simply listening to his experience towards a theological interpretation that sits uneasily with the Catechism. Surely we are entitled to ask where all this is going? Ruse describes Martin's influence as poisonous. That is strong language, certainly, but I understand his concern. Persistent ambiguity about moral doctrine, especially when amplified by a priest with Martin's extraordinary public profile, can have profoundly damaging consequences for souls. What troubles me most, however, is the institutional question. Fr Martin remains a prominent Catholic priest in good standing, while his ministry repeatedly raises serious questions about the relationship between pastoral accompaniment and fidelity to the Church's teaching. Where is the clear episcopal response? The Church desperately needs an intelligent, compassionate and theologically coherent ministry to Catholics experiencing same-sex attraction. We need to explain why the Christian understanding of sexuality is good news, why chastity is possible, and why a person's dignity and capacity for love cannot be reduced to sexual activity. I simply cannot see how Fr Martin's direction of travel accomplishes that. Authentic pastoral care must lead people towards Christ, not quietly suggest that the demands of discipleship are negotiable. crisismagazine.com/opinion/t…

Good morning. I said this on Friday's show and I want to say it again: I really appreciate everyone that shows up. We are the little engine that could here. It's your views, your comments and the clips you pass along to a friend that keep it climbing the hill. Live at 1pm ET.

THE CEASEFIRE HAS COMMENCED The ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect at 4:00am Moscow time on October 27, 2026.    Timing was accelerated two days ahead of schedule to protect the safety of civilians and to facilitate the delivery of critical humanitarian aid. The ceasefire’s geographic area has expanded beyond Oleshky, within the Kherson Region, to provide safe passage for the humanitarian convoys.       General Valery Gerasimov, Joint Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces has confirmed.

The Covenanters were Scottish Protestants who believed that Christ alone is the true head of the Church, not kings, nor bishops imposed by the state. In 1638, they swore a solemn covenant before Almighty God to defend the true Protestant faith, uphold pure worship and resist interference in the Church. For their convictions, many were hunted, imprisoned, tortured and killed, yet they refused to surrender their faith or bow to earthly authority in matters belonging to Christ. Their loyalty to Christ came before kings, governments and even their own lives. I'm proud to count several of these steadfast Scottish Protestants among my own ancestors. 🇬🇧🟠🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Today, 26th October, is the Feast of Saint Cedd, Missionary Saint of Essex. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 St Cedd (c. 620–664) was a Northumbrian bishop trained at Lindisfarne under St Aidan. Sent to the East Saxons in 653, he preached the Gospel, baptised converts and established churches across Essex. At Bradwell-on-Sea, he built St Peter-on-the-Wall from reused Roman stone and brick, one of England’s oldest surviving churches. He also founded Lastingham monastery in Yorkshire, where he died of plague in 664. Almighty God, who didst send Thy servant Cedd to preach the Gospel to our forefathers, turn England back to Thee. Raise up faithful preachers, strengthen our marriages and homes, and help us bring up our children in the fear of the Lord. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. St Cedd, pray for England. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Today I walked into the White House. 🇺🇸 My mission to end child transition worldwide has the backing of the most powerful government on earth. 6 years ago this was a solo fight. Hour upon hour spent on the streets of Canada, next to no support, not knowing a soul in this fight, but never discouraged! I have always known the victories that await. I have always had faith that others would join the cause and in time we would stop this madness, everywhere. Well, we are! 👉🏼 billboardchris.com/world-pro… Much work to be done, but today I'm meeting with leaders at the highest levels of the U.S. government. I've also spoken up for kids at the EU Parliament (twice), the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and the UN in New York, and been featured (by critics) on the main stage at the World Economic Forum. I've met with members of Congress, testified before the Florida State legislature, helped ban this in Oklahoma, and sat down with lawmakers in the Canadian Parliament and in legislatures from B.C. to Washington, California, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Scotland, England, Israel, and Australia. In Brussels I met elected representatives from a dozen more European countries. I've also been to jail 3 times, been arrested 5 times in 4 countries, had more than 300 visits from police, but never been charged with anything. All arrests were either after I was assaulted, or because I simply refused to yield to an angry mob and police who insisted I leave. The answer to "Will you relinquish your rights to satisfy this violent mob?" will always be NO. I've been assaulted dozens of times, had my arm broken, been mobbed by hundreds, painted on, spat on, car keyed, tires destroyed, and even had a catalytic converter stolen in Oakland. Note to self: don't stay in a cheap hotel in Oakland. Hundreds of houses in my neighborhood have received mail from Antifa, trying to destroy my reputation, but all that did was bring in more support. Normal people don't like when kids are being harmed. I even sued the Australian government when they tried to censor me on X, and won! Mostly, I've spoken with thousands upon thousands of people on the street, in 14 countries, helping parents protect their kids, and reached millions more online. We are winning because we tell the truth: that children are beautiful just as they are, no drugs or scalpels needed! And we are going to stop child transition everywhere, no matter how long it takes. If you wish to support me in this fight, I greatly appreciate your help. Thank you! billboardchris.com/donate

Finally some good news from Minnesota. The activist Judge Sarah West who overruled a jury verdict of guilty in a Somali Medicare fraud case. West has now been overruled by the Minnesota Appeals Court. The guilty verdict will stand.