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Those who strike at the Church's teachers and teaching strike a blow against Christ who is Head of the Church, His Body. Any Catholic who attacks the Church is like a person who cuts his own body.

Those who strike at the Church's teachers and teaching strike a blow against Christ who is Head of the Church, His Body. Any Catholic who attacks the Church is like a person who cuts his own body.

Untrue or malicious statements about aspects of the Catholic Faith endanger the hearers like dangerous missiles; they threaten spiritual lives.

It is through trust in God and obedience to His Church that someone can be brought as if to the top of a building which reaches as far as Heaven, even though some people below may think the climb is pointless.

There are times when we must 'go to extremes', in believing and teaching all that Christ teaches us through His Church, even when this makes us unpopular. In our willingness to speak the truth we follow Christ's example, and walk in His footsteps.

We need to maintain an inner peace at every provocation. If we are attacked, let us remember that Christ was followed and pestered by people who were determined to annoy Him, or to trap Him into some unwise or inflammatory answer.

The teaching of the Catholic Church cannot be likened to the proposals put forward in a party-political manifesto, which can simply be discarded if the voters don't like them.

The teaching of the Catholic Church cannot be likened to the proposals put forward in a party-political manifesto, which can simply be discarded if the voters don't like them.

It can happen that innocent people suffer from unexpected abuse by someone whom they have never harmed; indeed, they are trying to help. But a person in a panic, who faces calamity, might unfortunately speak harshly even to those closest to him, whom he ordinarily respects.

If we speak about the teachings of the Church, about faith and morality, we may meet with anger or indifference. It is not comfortable speaking out with a prophetic voice.

There are all sort of trials that must be faced by Christians who are trying to be faithful. This should not surprise us. Christ was not surprised by the jeering crowds who lined the streets of Jerusalem as He staggered along the road the Calvary.

It is possible to bear constant heartache 'side-by-side' with spiritual joy, as Jesus Himself experienced in earthly life. His heart ached whenever people showed misunderstanding or malice towards Him, yet He remained in blissful union with the Father.

Many Catholics today who do not believe in all of the teachings of the Church paint a false picture of the era before the last Council. They say the laity did nothing but 'pray, pay and obey'. They overlook their heroic faith, love and obedience.

Christ is deeply touched, and very pleased, when we take part in traditional devotions such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with Benediction, or the 'Forty Hours', and various devotions which honour His holy Mother Mary. He does not want anyone to criticise such practices, nor to ban them.

Just as a chef is kind to his trainee when he reminds him that he has forgotten to put eggs in his sponge mixture, so we speak from charity, not from hard-heartedness, when we give people precise instructions about the Faith, and tell them what behaviour is sinful in the sight of God.

Christ wants us to respect priests who are 'other Christs' amongst us. But when a priest publicly speaks against the teaching of the Church on faith or morals we are not wrong to warn others about the danger of listening to his advice - though we must not speak with scorn or malice. And we should pray for him.

We live in a country which is apparently peaceful and civilised; but there are dreadful things happening which few individuals or groups are wiling to protest about. Some people laugh at the Church, as they laughed at Noah. Yet the Catholic Church in this country is like an ark, in which all human life can find defenders. She opposes embryo destruction, abortion, starvation of the sick and elderly, 'euthanasia' and many more anti-life practices.

We live in a country which is apparently peaceful and civilised; but there are dreadful things happening which few individuals or groups are wiling to protest about. Some people laugh at the Church, as they laughed at Noah. Yet the Catholic Church in this country is like an ark, in which all human life can find defenders. She opposes embryo destruction, abortion, starvation of the sick and elderly, 'euthanasia' and many more anti-life practices.

Pope Pius X fought bravely against heresy, Christ said. It would be wonderful, the Lord said, if everyone could do what this Saintly Pope has done, and decide to fulfil the Father's Will, for His glory, and to save souls, rather than seeking personal satisfaction. It is sad that many Catholics criticise that Pope's life and works, and want to overturn the Church's teachings, even on moral issues.

We know that sin is like a chain round the ankle that prevents us from serving God. But a little weakness such as fear of public opinion - or our own family - can be like a 'thread' holding us back from valiant work for God, unless with His help we break it.