MOMENTS IN CHURCH HISTORY

With Fr. John Comiskey, H.E.D.

Watch Church Historian John P. Comiskey bring to life some of the greatest moments in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in these short mini-documentaries broadcasted throughout our programme day.

On Moments........

		Leonardo da Vinci - A Man of the Renaissance Leonardo da Vinci remains one of the most mysterious characters of the Renaissance. Did you know that he undertook a variety of projects for Pope Leo X? Or that he was the first known man to conceive various inventions such as the submarine and the helicopter? Even his painting of the Last Supper has become an object of much speculation and admiration, especially in the fictional novel The Da Vinci Code. Fr. John P. Comiskey speaks about the genius of this man and his contribution to our Church in this episode of Moments in Church History.
		The Gregorian Calendar If you were asked in a trivia quiz, "What happened on October 10th, 1582", how would you answer? Well, if you lived in a Catholic country, you would say, "Nothing happened", because the day did not exist. When and how did it come about that the Catholic world went to bed on October 4th, 1582, and woke up on October 15th? Fr. Comiskey explains the disappearance of these days in this episode of Moments in Church History.
		The Cadaver Trial On a typical crisp and sunny January morning in A.D.897, Rome, a not-so-typical event was taking place: a monk was seen fishing a body out of the Tiber River. This was, however, not just any body, but that of Pope Formosus. How was it that his body was in the Tiber, and how did it come about that the corpse was put on trial? Fr. Comiskey reveals the answers in this episode of Moments in Church History.
		The Avignon Papacy It is the year 1377. Catherine of Siena is sitting in her room, writing one of the many letters for which she is famous. Who will be receiving this letter? And how was she able to move the papal curia from Avignon to Rome? Fr. Comiskey uncovers these mysteries in this episode of Moments in Church History.
		The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea In the summer of 325 at Nicaea, a new institution was born in the Church, namely, the general or “ecumenical” council. Over the centuries, we have had twenty-one such councils, the last one held at Vatican City between 1962 and 1965. What was the argument brought over 300 bishops and theologians together that summer? Fr John P.. Comiskey reveals all in this episode of Moments in Church History.

The Vikings Bring Christianity to America

It is the year 1005. A small band of relatives and friends gather around the grave of Thorvald Eirkisson. According to his wishes, crosses were planted there, the first recorded planting of the cross in the Americas. And this is 500 years before Christopher Columbus! Fr. Comiskey talks about the people who brought Christianity to America during this episode of Moments in Church History.

COMING SOON to Moments in Church History...

Marie de l’Incarnation –
First Woman Missionary in the New World

In the fall of A.D. 1639, a school was opened in the French settlement of Québec by a young nun named Marie de l’Incarnation, who would later be known as the first woman missionary of the New World. Who was this unique woman, and what of her life’s journey drew her to a life among the settlers of New France and their aboriginal companions? A blessed life is explored in this episode of Moments in Church History with Fr. John P. Comiskey.

Martin Luther and his Ninety-Five Theses

On 31 October, 1517, the Augustinian priest Martin Luther could be seen posting his Ninety-Five Theses on the chapel door of the castle in Wittenburg. What motivated his actions, and how did this one man propel the Roman Catholic community into a debate which eventually led to the Protestant Reformation? Join Fr. John P. Comiskey as he explores this moment of great change in Church history.

Antony of Egypt - A Desert Life which Inspired Monasticism

He just wanted to be left alone so he could spend his time in solitude and prayer. That’s all Antony wanted. Yet as more and more people heard about his way of life, they were inspired to follow his example, and monasticism was born. The life of Antony is opened up for us in this episode of Moments in Church History, with Fr. John P. Comiskey.

Pope Pius VII and the Emperor Napoleon

Pope Pius VII looked around his residence and saw the treachery of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, which included the expropriation of Church land and the theft of precious art from the vaults of the Vatican. How does the Pontiff’s rage eventually transform into acts of charity? Fr. John P. Comiskey explains in this episode of Moments in Church History.

"God's will" and the Christian Crusades

“God wills it!” With these words spoken at the Council of Clermont on 27 November, 1095, Pope Urban II called for princes, knights and their followers to free the Holy Land from the grip of Muslims, so that Christians could once again make pilgrimages to the Holy City where Jesus Christ walked upon the earth. How successful were these medieval military expeditions? Find out in this episode of Moments in Church History with Fr. John P. Comiskey.

The Western Schism

Urban VI sat brooding in the Lateran Palace. He should have been a happy man, having just been elected pope. Yet things soured quickly, resulting in “multiple” popes and a schism in the Church! What happened is explained in this episode of Moments in Church History with Fr. John P. Comiskey.

The Roman Inquisition

As any priest or theologian sat in the waiting room at the Apostolic Palace, thoughts and fears were no doubt coursing through his mind. He had an appointment with the Inquisitors – the very words sent shivers down his spine. Though the Roman Inquisition was closed at the end of the eighteenth century, it remains a blot on the reputation of the Roman Catholic Church. A difficult topic presented by Fr. John P. Comiskey, in this episode of Moments in Church History.

More on Fr. Comiskey:
		Father John Comiskey is a native of Chatham, Ontario. After his early education in Chatham, he entered St. Peter’s Seminary in London in 1974, graduating from King’s College and the University of Western Ontario with a BA in 1977 and a Master of Divinity in 1980 (read more)... [Top]