God and King

For the first time since 1953, there is a new monarch in town in the United Kingdom (or is it England or Britain… Canada too?). While the power of Britannia has ebbed much since then—the famous empire on which the sun never set—and the power of the monarch has ebbed much since it began, the ceremony (and existence) of a royal monarch in the liberal West makes for a striking moment.

While other European nations have monarchs—Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, to name a few—the King or Queen of England maintains the highest profile in the former lands of Christendom, buoyed by the fascination of the kingless Americans and their own tabloid tales.

In the mode of Prime Matters’ insight into the transition from Christendom to a secular age in need of apostolic fervor, this was a moment that with all its pageantry and symbolism (and incessant questioning from American media about how long Britain will keep her crown) forced the world to “go to church,” to be immersed into a religious service, the font whence the secular power derives its authority but also its grave duty and accountability: the King of Kings.

On the topic of Britannia, how do we evaluate colonialism and empire? One author gives actual criteria to begin to evaluate the morality of empire.

A former scientist for Google warns about the risk of artificial intelligence.

Preparations are in place for the Jubilee Year in 2025.

The Coptic Patriarch (also known as a pope) and Pope Francis participated in the usual Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square with pilgrims and offered a joint blessing.

The Canadians modified their crown heraldry, replacing the fleur-de-lis and the cross with maple leaves and snowflakes.