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Letters
Concern for Life
Pope John Paul II stated quite clearly his view of a Christian’s attitude toward this planet on which we livea moral matter, as I recall. I long wondered whether his message was being announced among the faithful, although several bishops’ groups have written pastorals on the subject.
It was therefore a joy to read, nearly a year ago, the article Where Are the Catholic Environmentalists? by Jeffrey J. Guhin (2/13/06), and to learn of the thinking of Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J. and Miriam Therese MacGillis, O.P.
And now, over the course of two months, three more articles have appeared with regard to our earth: about the universe, energy ethics and global warming. I hope there is a sufficient number of people reading this material, because I do not hear the topic being treated from the pulpit. Is not what happens on earth, to earth and subsequently to earth’s inhabitants a concern for life?
Sheila Murphy, O.S.U.
The Word
Christian spirituality is discipleship that is a positive response to the call of Jesus despite or even because of our personal unworthiness In answering this call we have the examples of Simon Peter and other biblical figures like Isaiah and Paul who are led by the Holy Spirit Today rsquo s
Arts & CultureBooks
Two societiesIsraeli and Palestiniancoexist in one land Revered as holy land by Jews Christians and Muslims this special space has for decades been cursed by outrageous violence The present moment is a terrible one for both societies For this very reason conversation between the contending par
Of Many Things
Nowadays when I read of Albania in the media, it is often in reference to Albanians who—desperate to escape their poverty-stricken country, where they are also beset by ethnic conflict—flee in rickety boats across the Adriatic Sea toward Italy. If they have not drowned or been intercepte
News
U.S. Bishop Discusses Palestinian PlightThe encroachment of Israeli settlements on Palestinian water sources must be addressed, said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., said his two-day visit to view Catholic Relief Services project
FaithFaith and Reason
In 2007, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, at the time bishop of Rapid City asked: Is the right to life conditional, or is it unconditional? Can men and women forfeit their right to life by their behavior, or is that right irrevocably given by God?
Arts & CultureBooks
Michael Lewis is a splendid and exceptional writer What creates the splendor is his gift for narrative pace for sly wit for the telling detail for the clarity and verve of his sentences What makes him exceptional is his ability to compose gripping tales about highly technical or dull subjects
The Word
Today rsquo s selection from Luke rsquo s Gospel continues the narrative begun last Sunday The setting is the synagogue at Nazareth Jesus has read passages from the book of Isaiah concerning the anointed prophet of God and declared that ldquo today rdquo this passage was being fulfilled in him
Editorials
International alarm over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions skyrocketed after that country’s nuclear test last fall. Given the rapid increase in nuclear aspirations among so-called rogue nations, the alarm is warranted. But as winter’s cold descends, the fact that many North Koreans f
Kofi Annan, the quiet Ghanaian whose 10-year tenure as United Nations Secretary General ended in December, did more to challenge the thinking and prod the conscience of this unwieldy organization than any of his predecessors. Yet he left office wounded by controversy, pilloried in the U.S. Congress
Faith in Focus
I should have majored in math. Adding and subtracting are all I do anymore. Starting from 168, the number of hours in a week, I subtract 56 for the minimum hours of sleep I need (eight a night) to function properly without drinking ungodly quantities of caffeine. Of the remaining 112 hours, in theor
Arts & CultureBooks
The British statesman William E Gladstone reading the U S Constitution 100 years after it entered into force remarked The American Constitution is the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man Generations of Americans have since regarded their Consti
Faith
From 2007, Cardinal Avery Dulles on "the shining features of the Society of Jesus"
Of Many Things
Pope Benedict XVI’s late November visit to Turkey showed how quickly and thoroughly he has grown into his new role. In particular, he demonstrated his determination to realize his potential as a peacemaker. That role seemed to be suggested by his adoption of the name Benedict, reminiscent of P
News
Maryknoll Magazine Marks 100 YearsIn an age of e-mail, digital photography and computerized layout, the Rev. James A. Walsh might not recognize the mission publication he founded 100 years ago as The Field Afar. But Father Walsh, who went on to become a bishop and co-founder of the Catholic Foreign
More than 33 million refugees and internally displaced people languish in the world today. A disproportionate percentage of them live in Africa. Most have been driven from their homes by armed strife. Such displacement is often overlooked in discussions of the duty to protect civilians in warfare. K
Arts & CultureBooks
Notwithstanding the widely publicized campus ruckuses that have sprung up annually over performance of The Vagina Monologues Catholic universities are not the only institutions of higher education struggling over questions of Christian identity It is true that such universities as Harvard Yale an
Film
Thirty-plus years of doing this column have given me quite a high tolerance for awful stuff, but Apocalypto nearly beat me. After an hour, it took sheer will power to keep me in my seat. Yes, most early reviews of the film have been positive, but not ecstatic, so perhaps the problem rests in the eye
FaithThe Word
In 2007 the Sunday Gospel reading is almost always from Luke The first part of today rsquo s text Luke 1 1-4 is the Evangelist rsquo s preface in which he explains how and why he wrote this Gospel Luke sought to provide an orderly account based on traditions about Jesus rsquo birth teaching