[What follows could be considered a typical example of an inconclusive dialog; yet it may be of interest to some readers]

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From: ***. To: cburke@strathmore.ac.ke

Subject: Exclusion of indissolubility of marriage

Dear Msgr. Burke,

I am writing to request your comments regarding the exclusion of indissolubility of marriage.

I am an atheist (baptized in the Roman Catholic Church) involved in a somewhat complicated relationship with a devout Roman Catholic woman. We have known each other for 15 years and would like to be together, however she insists on a Catholic marriage. Of course I could simply find a priest who will not ask me any uncomfortable questions or pretend that I have not stopped believing; however, I have decided to take the matter seriously and investigate whether I am actually able to contract a valid Catholic marriage.

Self-esteem: Why?; Why not? (Homiletic & Pastoral Review, Feb 2008)

There is a proper mode of self-esteem which is beneficial to each individual, and there is a mode or model being propagated worldwide today which can be very harmful. First let us take a summary look at this latter mode which has in a short time come to dominate the psychological and educational thinking under which most modern young people are formed. Then we will note 1) the growing secular criticism being directed towards it, 2) analyze its fundamental anthropological defectiveness and, 3) see how a realistic self-esteem, in which positive and negative elements combine, is necessary to each person if he or she is to have psychic and spiritual health - and that this distinctive form of self-esteem is in fact inherent in a Christian spirit properly assimilated. Finally we will consider, with some concrete examples, how harmful self-esteem philosophy can make its way into Catholic religious education manuals.