worth noting . . .

INFALLIBLE: YES OR NO? . . . In his letter on the ordination of women, the Pope said that the Church does not have the authority to ordain women. He also said that this "judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful." Because some doubts were raised about whether or not the declaration was infallible, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1995 responded that it is indeed infallible and must be held by all. In this issue Fr. Jack Healy, O. Carm., presents the case and shows that there are no good reasons to doubt the infallibility of the doctrine (p. 9).

CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY: AN OXYMORON? . . . There are those who claim that Christians, because of their prior commitment of faith in Jesus Christ as God, cannot "do" philosophy. Thus they claim that there is no such thing as Christian Philosophy. Is that correct? This month a distinguished Catholic philosopher from the Philippines, Fr. Joseph M. de Torre, who has published many books and articles, argues that the commitment of faith is not an obstacle to doing real philosophy. In fact, he shows that the marvelous advances of science and technology flow from Christian philosophy (p. 16).

SEVERAL POPES CONDEMNED SLAVERY . . . Critics of the Church have charged that the Magisterium failed to condemn slavery until 1890, or even 1965. In this issue Fr. Joel S. Panzer shows that the Popes over a period of more than 400 years again and again condemned slavery, but their teaching was not accepted by bishops, priests and lay persons. He argues that dissent was a key reason why slavery was not directly opposed by the Church in the United States in the 19th century (p. 22).

LAUGHTER OF THE SAINTS . . . I have heard it said that we do not see much laughter and joy in the world any more. It is true of our materialistic world and, all too often, true of the Church as well. This month I am pleased to offer you an article on the light side about "Catholic Laughter" by our most frequent contributor over the years, Fr. Rawley Myers of Colorado Springs, Colo. He makes the important point that the ability to be truly joyful and to laugh at incongruities is based upon faith. He offers many examples of saints who have been able to laugh heartily, usually at themselves (p. 30).

MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE YOURS . . . during the holy season of Advent/Christmas and all through the New Year. Next month I begin my 27th year as editor of HPR. I thank God for the many good years, and I