Boston Stronger: Hope and healing two years after the marathon tragedy
Acts of violence have been much in the news and on our minds lately. In Ferguson, New York City and Paris, deadly shootings have disrupted lives and communities. For Christians, the response to such brokenness ought to reflect and cultivate the theological virtue of hope, a hope that directs us towa
The Taxman Cometh : Why taxes loom large in the American imagination
The day is almost upon us—April 15. For Americans, this is tax day. Yes, we pay taxes throughout the year, every day: property taxes on our homes, sales taxes in most states, excise taxes, gasoline taxes and of course income taxes. A nation’s expenditures of public funds, which are inevi
Metaphysics and Money: What is the true goal of Christian charity?
‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?” asked the rich man. Jesus replied: “Go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Though the rich man was taken aback by what was demanded, modern readers are often puzzled by the reward.
Of Many Things
Of Many Things
When it comes to Francis’ reforms, “What’s the bottom line?” is the wrong question.
Letters
Reply All
Prisoners’ RightsRe “Peace and Toilet Paper” (Editorial, 3/23): When we incarcerate people, we deprive them not only of their freedom, but of rights that you and I take for granted. Many well-meaning citizens have told me that when someone commits a crime, they give up all their ri
Editorials
Martyrdom Revisited
The editors on dying—and living—for the faith
Faith in Focus
Adoption and the Christian life
For our family, adoption has come to mean much more than what we thought it did on that Sunday afternoon.
Books
A Scholar’s Portrait
‘Jesus: Word Made Flesh,’ by Gerard Sloyan
A Fiction That Does Justice
‘Wayfaring Stranger,’ by James Lee Burke
Television
A Man in Full: ‘Wolf Hall’ and the emergence of Thomas Cromwell
‘Wolf Hall’ and the emergence of Thomas Cromwell
The Word
Our Witnesses
To what do the apostles and the other disciples witness when they are called to be witnesses to Jesus Christ On the one hand they bear witness to his death ldquo but you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you and you killed the Author of life…
The Shepherd’s Love
In 4 Ezra 5 18 a Jewish apocalyptic text of the first century A D Ezra is asked by ldquo Phaltiel a chief of the people rdquo whether he knows ldquo that Israel has been entrusted to you in the land of their exile Rise therefore and eat some bread and do not forsake us…
Current Comment
Current Comment
Honoring Jean Vanier, recipient of the $1.7 million 2015 Templeton Prize
Faith
Adoption and the Christian life
For our family, adoption has come to mean much more than what we thought it did on that Sunday afternoon.
Of Other Things
Not-So-Special Spirituality
The way of life that St. Francis envisioned was just to live the Gospel.
Signs Of the Times
Fleeing Boko Haram
A delegation representing Catholic organizations in Nigeria offered words of comfort and pledged help for Nigerian refugees who fled to neighboring Cameroon because of a violent insurgency. Led by Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Umuahia, chairman of Caritas Nigeria, the delegation visited Minawao Ca
Pollution’s Shadow Over the Future
Discussing the day’s air quality is now the default subject for Beijing small talk.
Catholics in Yemen
Despite rising tensions in Yemen and continued fighting between government and rebel forces, Catholic officials said the six Salesian priests and the 20 members of the Missionaries of Charity assigned to the country have remained. “Our priests are safe,” and the sisters continue to work
Haiti: Education Is Key to Recovery
Bishop Launay Saturne of Jacmel has a vision that he believes could change the future of Haiti. He wants to build partnerships between Catholic parishes in other countries and Catholic schools in his diocese—modeled on the medical missions that many parishes in developed nations already have e
Catholic Marriage: On the Rocks Or on the Rebound?
The number of new Catholic marriages in the United States is at its lowest point since 1965. Statistics from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate show that while there were over 420,000 Catholic weddings in 1970, that number has dwindled to just over 154,000 in
Conscience and Equality
After years of disagreement about the rights of states, communities and the federal government to define marriage, two state legislatures have proposed different means to reconcile the conflicting interests of gay rights groups and proponents of religious liberty. In Oklahoma, H.B. 1125, which was r
News Briefs
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees reported that 866,000 asylum applications were registered in industrialized countries last year, the highest number of claims in 22 years and a 45 percent increase over 2013. • Pope Francis prayed for the repose of the souls of the 150 passengers and
The Church Visible
Why Go to Mass?
To evoke lively conversations, ask why so many Catholics no longer go to Mass. Some people will cite doctrinal issues like birth control, divorce and remarriage, and sexual mores. Others will speak of their experiences of the church as irrelevant to their lives. Others will cite church scandals; and
Vatican Dispatch
The Quality of Mercy
On March 13, Pope Francis surprised the world by proclaiming a year-long Jubilee of Mercy. Since then he has begun to give indications, in homilies and talks, as to what this entails.As I write, the formal bull of indiction has not yet been published. That will be done on April 12, the Second Sunday
Washington Front
A Mess and A Miracle: A foreign policy report card for Congress
Where is the most dangerous place, and what is the greatest challenge for U.S. foreign policy? The terror of ISIS in the Middle East? Nuclear negotiations with Iran? A broken peace process in the Holy Land? Russian aggression in Ukraine? Actually, the most dangerous place for our nation’s fore
Politics
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Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts