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Fr Zuhlsdorf, Michael Davies and Leo XIII—a reply on doubtful sacraments
'Father Z', aka Fr John Zuhlsdorf, recently responded to an article we published. Here's our reply.
 • 
S.D. Wright
The Pope is absolutely above Councils, can't submit to their coercive judgment
Bellarmine shows the Pope is absolutely above both the rest of the Church and general councils, and that no authority can judge or coerce him. This is…
2
Why was Christ baptised by St John the Baptist?
The whole of Christ's public life is founded on the mystery of his baptism by St John the Baptist.
Published on Father Coleridge Reader • 
Divine Obedience: Lessons from Nazareth after the Temple
Why did Christ spend nearly 91% of his time on earth doing 'nothing,' quietly subject to Our Lady and St Joseph in an obscure town, before beginning his…
Published on Father Coleridge Reader • 
'Ipso facto': Bellarmine's 'five opinions' on the heretic pope question
One of the most infamous—and contemporary—topics in St Robert Bellarmine's 'Controversies' is that of the five opinions on the 'heretic pope.'
3

Recent posts

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What's superior, Pope or Council? Bellarmine sets out the objections
Some claim Bellarmine taught that a council is necessary to effect the loss of office (or 'non-papacy') of a manifestly heretical 'pope.' But this comes…
2
Epiphany as the manifestation of Christ’s Kingship
Fascinating links with the Roman Empire reveal Epiphany as a great feast of Christ as King, and as the eternal Bridegroom of the Church.
 • 
S.D. Wright
Why Christ was given the Holy Name 'Jesus'
The first imposition of the Holy Name of Jesus on the infant God-Man was no less a fulfilment of the Old Covenant than the Circumcision. Fr Coleridge…
Published on Father Coleridge Reader • 
What we've been up to in 2024—and plans for 2025
The WM Review's biggest, best year yet—but only a shadow of what's to come in 2025. Take a read of what we've been up to, our plans, and what our…
 • 
S.D. Wright
 and 
M. J. McCusker
2
Why Christ was circumcised—and who performed the rite
The first shedding of Christ’s precious blood in his circumcision marked the beginning of the fulfilment of the old covenant.
Published on Father Coleridge Reader • 
St Thomas Becket died for the liberty of the Church—not for religious liberty
It is impossible to defend the liberty of the Church and the Kingship of Christ whilst simultaneously holding to the modern conception of religious…
2
The WM Review
The WM Review
Essays on the Catholic Church, theology, history and more. Without the right questions, we won't make sense of the right answers.
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S.D. Wright
Fr Zuhlsdorf, Michael Davies and Leo XIII—a reply on doubtful sacraments
M. J. McCusker
What we've been up to in 2024—and plans for 2025
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Members

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St Thomas Becket died for the liberty of the Church—not for religious liberty
It is impossible to defend the liberty of the Church and the Kingship of Christ whilst simultaneously holding to the modern conception of religious…
2
How Advent can immunize us against the fear of tyranny
Tyrants extend their power over us by exploiting our natural hopes. Advent divests us of such hopes, by pointing us towards the final triumph of Christ.
 • 
S.D. Wright
1
'Remember your oaths'—Dustin Thursdeau's conversion, Chap. III (Satire)
The Power of Prayer: Following his escape from a terrible confrontation in Freesculptors' Lodge, President Dustin Thursdeau is taken to task by…
Lefebvre’s 1974 Declaration: Tension and Resolution
On the 50th anniversary of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's famous 1974 Declaration, what is the status of the text today? How are the tensions around this…
'Paul VI's rite of episcopal consecration is invalid'—Abbé Henri Mouraux
Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre's friend and collaborator Abbé Mouraux examines the famous phrase 'governing spirit' and considers its impact on the validity…
3

Original Essays

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Fr Zuhlsdorf, Michael Davies and Leo XIII—a reply on doubtful sacraments
'Father Z', aka Fr John Zuhlsdorf, recently responded to an article we published. Here's our reply.
 • 
S.D. Wright
Epiphany as the manifestation of Christ’s Kingship
Fascinating links with the Roman Empire reveal Epiphany as a great feast of Christ as King, and as the eternal Bridegroom of the Church.
 • 
S.D. Wright
St Thomas Becket died for the liberty of the Church—not for religious liberty
It is impossible to defend the liberty of the Church and the Kingship of Christ whilst simultaneously holding to the modern conception of religious…
2
Christmas as God's triumph over darkness and evil
The Roman Liturgy presents the feast of Christmas not so much about Christ's historical birth in Bethlehem, but his duel with darkness, and triumph over…
 • 
S.D. Wright
How Advent can immunize us against the fear of tyranny
Tyrants extend their power over us by exploiting our natural hopes. Advent divests us of such hopes, by pointing us towards the final triumph of Christ.
 • 
S.D. Wright
1
The Advent Ember Days are the antidote to a fake, secular Christmas
The world relentlessly anticipates its fake Christmas throughout December, insisting that we join in—and the Advent Ember Days offer an antidote.
 • 
S.D. Wright
Classic study calls conditional ordination a 'measure of prudence'
In his defence of the new rites of episcopal consecration, Fr Pierre-Marie OP nonetheless refers to conditional ordination as 'the usage that seems to…
 • 
S.D. Wright
6
Former Jesuit and pro-life stalwart conditionally ordained to the priesthood
Fr James Marshall, pro-lifer and former member of the Society of Jesus, has been conditionally ordained by Bishop Germán Fliess of Bishop Donald…
 • 
S.D. Wright

Classic Texts

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The Pope is absolutely above Councils, can't submit to their coercive judgment
Bellarmine shows the Pope is absolutely above both the rest of the Church and general councils, and that no authority can judge or coerce him. This is…
2
'Ipso facto': Bellarmine's 'five opinions' on the heretic pope question
One of the most infamous—and contemporary—topics in St Robert Bellarmine's 'Controversies' is that of the five opinions on the 'heretic pope.'
3
What's superior, Pope or Council? Bellarmine sets out the objections
Some claim Bellarmine taught that a council is necessary to effect the loss of office (or 'non-papacy') of a manifestly heretical 'pope.' But this comes…
2
St Thomas Becket died for the liberty of the Church—not for religious liberty
It is impossible to defend the liberty of the Church and the Kingship of Christ whilst simultaneously holding to the modern conception of religious…
2
Bellarmine does not teach councils are necessary for ipso facto loss of office
It is alleged that Bellarmine taught that a council is necessary to effect the loss of office (or 'non-papacy') of a manifestly heretical 'pope.' Is…
Defective ministerial intention CAN invalidate ordinations
Is it true or false that sacraments—including the rites of holy orders—can hardly ever be rendered invalid due to defect of intention? Cardinal Gasparri…
 • 
S.D. Wright
5
Top posts
Francis: 'All religions are a path to reach God'
3
SUSANVACANTISM: The Spiritual Dangers
 • S.D. Wright
11
Obituary: +Tissier de Mallerais' theological legacy
 • S.D. Wright
1
St Thomas Becket died for the liberty of the Church—not for religious liberty
2
On the immorality of labelling other Catholics as “radical traditionalists”
 • S.D. Wright
15
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Newman

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Everything you've heard about Newman’s 'toast to conscience' is probably wrong
No other explanation of Cardinal John Henry Newman's comments about toasting 'conscience first, and the Pope afterwards' makes sense except this:
 • 
S.D. Wright
4
Toasting the Pope—Cardinal Newman and a forgotten controversy
Does an article from The Rambler provide the solution to one of the fiercest Cardinal Newman controversies?
2
Cardinal Newman on Anglican orders—applied to Novus Ordo orders
Cardinal John Henry Newman analyses the problems with Anglican orders in ways relevant to Novus Ordo ordination rites reformed by Paul VI. We provide…
 • 
S.D. Wright
Why it's fitting that the month of May is dedicated to Our Lady – Editors' Updates
The glories of creation reflect from glories of God and Our Lady.
 • 
M. J. McCusker

Coleridge

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Answering Christ's call: St Matthew, and vocations
Fr Henry James Coleridge explains how St Matthew's calling contains much that we need to know about our calling as Christians, and how we should respond…
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Fr Henry James Coleridge SJ
1
Mary’s Childhood: From Nazareth to the Presentation in the Temple
The Blessed Virgin Mary took great strides in holiness and grace, even in her earliest years – preparing her for her role as the Mother of God and Our…
 • 
Fr Henry James Coleridge SJ
1
What Our Lady experienced at her Nativity
Given that she was preserved from original sin, and that she was fully conscious whilst still in the womb, what was Our Lady's birth like – both for…
 • 
Fr Henry James Coleridge SJ
1
The life of Our Lady in St Anne's womb, and the silence of scripture
Does Scripture's silence on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, mean there's nothing to know? Explore the hidden truths and theological insights…
 • 
Fr Henry James Coleridge SJ

Prayer

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St Thérèse of Lisieux's 'Little Way'—nature, advantages and necessity
The 'Little Way' of St Thérèse of Lisieux is one of the most popular ideas in modern spirituality—but what should it drive us towards in practice?
+Viganò: 'In this sign, conquer' (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
Return to the cross today: Archbishop Viganò explains the Holy Cross’s history and significance, tracing its roots from Adam and the Temple to…
St Thérèse of Lisieux and what 'intellectuals' need to learn from her
St Thérèse's 'Little Way' is not sentimental or childish, but profound and challenging – particularly importance for 'intellectuals,' according to…
St Thérèse of Lisieux’s ‘Little Way’ – Dom Eugene Boylan explains
Sometimes presented as childish and sentimental, 'The Little Way' of St Thérèse of Lisieux ('The Little Flower') is profound, hard – and it is for all…
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