America Magazine - In All Things

Social Conservatives take Manhattan! Bronx, S.I., rest of America up for grabs

Author: Kevin Clarke;

A 4,700 word gauntlet has been thrown down before what I guess is perceived as America's liberal-secular triumphalism (apparently made real to social conservative imagination by the Obama ascendancy) via the "Manhattan Declaration," which "issues a clarion call to Christians to adhere to their convictions and informs civil authorities that the signers will not - under any circumstance - abandon their Christian consciences."

The declaration unites Christians across many a sectarian divide in their resistance to abortion and gay marriage and in

Vatican scholar finds text on Shroud of Turin

Author: James Martin, S.J.;

Here's the story from the London Times online.

A Vatican scholar claims to have deciphered the "death certificate" imprinted on the Shroud of Turin, or Holy Shroud, a linen cloth revered by Christians and held by many to bear the image of the crucified Jesus.

Dr Barbara Frale, a researcher in the Vatican secret archives, said "I think I have managed to read the burial certificate of Jesus the Nazarene, or Jesus of Nazareth." She said that she had reconstructed it from fragments of Greek, Hebrew and

Who Else Should be a Saint?

Author: James Martin, S.J.;

Frank Clooney's post below got me thinking about who else should be a saint. Given that I'm not the pope, I don't have much say in the matter, but here's my Top Five list. (I'm leaving out those who are already on the fast track like Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, John Henry Newman, etc.) Of course it all depends on whether these men and women get going and intercede for some miracles. But here are some whose causes seem obvious choices.

1.) John XXIII. Come on. He's about th

Flannery Takes First Place

Author: Kerry Weber;

I was first introduced to the work of Flannery O'Connor in a literature class during my freshman year of college. Since that time, I have spent hours reading her stories, as well as a good deal about O'Connor herself--and I have not been shy about voicing my enthusiasm. (My car bears a bright, blue "I'd rather be reading Flannery O'Connor" bumper sticker.) Therefore, I was encouraged this morning to read that I am far from alone in my affinity for her work. O'Connor's collection, "The Complete Stories," came o

Funny? Scary? Hoax

Author: James Martin, S.J.;

I'm happy to report that Masswepray (see post below) the strange video game, is a hoax, or at least their website today leads you to a weird place. On the other hand, the Talking Rosary is not.

James Martin, SJ