The Fredösphere

Lynn found the Independent Catholic News asking the obvious, but too often ignored, questions about extra-terrestrials:  whatever would one wear to its first communion?  No, really, I don't understand why the theology of alien life isn't discussed more -- except that those otherwise with the means, motive and opportunity assume aliens don't exist.

I may be repeating myself now, but I've always admired the sci-fi novel The Mote in God's Eye because it boldly posits a galactic empire with a state religion consisting of what looks like Orthodox Christianity.  In this universe, they have bishops, but no pope; heretical sects are tolerated, but marginalized, and come off looking like pathetic cranks.  That is, this universe closely conforms to my biases -- cool! -- which is an experience I don't get often from sci-fi.  But Moslems probably won't like the book, since their guys mainly just make coffee and betray the good guys.

In Mote, aliens are discovered for the first time.  The party selected for first contact includes the bishop from the nearest planet.  His job is to ask the kinds of questions asked in the ICN article:

Do the aliens have souls, as we understand the term?
If so, are they infected by original sin?
If so, has God provided the means of redeeming them?
If so, is Christ's blood efficacious in their case?
Beyond that, do they possess revelation relevant for us?
the appearance of the aliens will be accompanied by an eat-the-pig moment.

One possibility is that the appearance of the aliens will be accompanied by an eat-the-pig moment.

Meanwhile, in an alternate universe known as Great Britain, the last cathedral of the church of England is finally finished.  They used traditional building methods to build the tower, which means lime mortar instead of concrete, and no steel anywhere.  Gorgeous.  Sadly, one of the pictures of the Cathedral is marred by the presence of a dowdy, middle-aged couple standing in the foreground.  Also, see this discussion of Christianity by a very alienated Michael Blowhard.