Caesar Augustus

I've been researching Augustus (for an essay on his appearances in the Aeneid), and I was struck by the contrast created by Augustus and his supporters working away to refashion the world into the Roman Empire, ruled (at least in most people's perceptions) by one man, completely oblivious to the real world-changing events happening in a small corner of his empire.  I wonder if report ever reached Rome (before St. Peter arrived) of a small disturbance in Palestine, and the execution of a Man said to be a dangerous rebel?  Or of reports that He had risen again?

picture: Augustus of Prima Porta
source: Wikimedia Commons

Something to share.

I thought I'd share this with you (hat-tip to Pertinacious Papist). It's American, but it made me wonder, would the response over here be significantly different? Answers on the back of an envelope.

American Insurance Controversy / NHS

   I have been following the current controversy in America since it was first brought to my attention (soon after it started).  For those who don't know, the American Federal Government is now requiring all employers who provide medical cover to their employees (many of them) to ensure that that covers abortion and contraception.  There are, of course, a number of Catholic organisations out there, who cannot in good conscience pay for such evils, but they are not being given an exemption (the usual conscience exemption that they should be given), unless they mostly employ and mostly serve Catholics.  This leaves places such as Catholic hospitals (of which there are many in the US) a year to decide between firing all non-Catholics and only serving Catholics, or refusing to provide health cover for their employees.  Not much of a choice.
   Despite the fact that a number of English commentators have picked up this story, there's one element I have not encountered anywhere: we are in the same position, and have been for many years.  After all, we pay taxes (alright, in fairness, I only pay taxes occasionally, in the months I earn enough for the Government to decide to take some) which, in part, fund the NHS, which pays not only for abortion and contraception, but IVF those little 'sexual health' leaflets they give to teenagers to encourage them to be promiscuous and not worry about the consequences.  In America, the bishops are up in arms, so I want to ask you (if there's anyone reading this), do you know when the NHS started doing this sort of thing with our money?  Did the bishops of England and Wales (and Scotland and Northern Ireland) protest?

New Blog

After the last year or two of reading various Catholic blogs on the internet, and being inspired by them to greater fidelity and orthodoxy, I thought I'd have a go at writing my own blog, in the hope that someone, somewhere might be inspired by it.  I don't have any particular knowledge or insight, but I will do my best.