James Butler

2 weeks ago | lrb.co.uk | James Butler

Francis​ assumed the papacy in 2013 in the teeth of a crisis. His predecessor, Benedict XVI, the first pope in centuries to resign, was strongly associated with theological and ritual conservatism. His resignation was widely interpreted as an admission of defeat by proliferating sexual abuse scandals, which had shattered the moral authority of the priesthood, even among many of the faithful. Catholicism in the eyes of the world was defined by abuse, paedophilia and cover-up.

2 weeks ago | internazionale.it | James Butler

Nel 2013 Francesco ha cominciato il pontificato nel pieno di una crisi. Il suo predecessore, Benedetto XVI, il primo papa a dimettersi da secoli, era legato al conservatorismo teologico e rituale. Le sue dimissioni sono state interpretate come l’ammissione di una sconfitta di fronte al proliferare degli scandali, che avevano mandato in frantumi l’autorità morale del clero cattolico, anche tra molti credenti.

2 weeks ago | lrb.co.uk | James Butler

Francis​ assumed the papacy in 2013 in the teeth of a crisis. His predecessor, Benedict XVI, the first pope in centuries to resign, was strongly associated with theological and ritual conservatism. His resignation was widely interpreted as an admission of defeat by proliferating sexual abuse scandals, which had shattered the moral authority of the priesthood, even among many of the faithful. Catholicism in the eyes of the world was defined by abuse, paedophilia and cover-up.

1 month ago | thenorthernecho.co.uk | James Butler

For a lot of my twenties, I saw a night in as a personal failure. But as the work/life balance tips ever further out of my favour, the lure of creature comforts over tequila and cheesy chips has proven too much to resist. Which is why now the idea of a weekend away with friends, holed up somewhere cozy with a cocktail (or ten) for a few nights, carries so much appeal. Domestically there is no shortage of nice places to go.

1 month ago | lrb.co.uk | James Butler

Last Thursday evening, more than twenty Metropolitan police officers – some armed with tasers – broke down the doors of the Quaker meeting house in Westminster to arrest six young women. The women were attending a welcome meeting of Youth Demand, a small, non-violent activist group currently dedicated to action against climate change and the genocide in Gaza.