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Although it has been irritating at times to have to listen to Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton in the Democratic nomination debates, I will miss them if they withdraw from the race. At least they keep me from falling asleep when I listen to Senators Kerry and Edwards.Kucinich and Sharpton speak to a
Books
Walter Brueggemann has written over two dozen books on nearly every section of the Hebrew Bible Professor emeritus of biblical studies at Columbia Theological Seminary he is a widely acclaimed scholar who constantly applies new methods of reflection to explain the richness of biblical texts In th
Faith in Focus
Some of the priests identified as abusers, staring out from the pages of the local newspapers, are not strangers to me. I was on the faculty of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, N.Y., from 1965 through 1979. I taught Scripture all those years and was rector for the last six. I
News
Sexual Abuse Brought Smoke of SatanIn its report on the causes of the crisis of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the United States, released on Feb. 27, the National Review Board said grievously sinful acts of priests and inaction by bishops let the smoke of Satan enter the church.As a result the
The Word
It may seem strange that in the middle of Lent we are told to rejoice The reason for this is not that we might have a breather from the rigors of penance How many of us are even experiencing any real rigors Rather this moment of rejoicing fittingly follows the fundamental theme found in the re
News
Dioceses Release Figures on Sexual Abuse Although not required to do so by the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Catholic bishops across the country are releasing statistics about sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy in their dioceses. The Associated Press re
A member of the parish of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Manhattan, whom I will call Francine, lives modestly on Social Security, her monthly pension of $200 and the small salary she receives as a part-time receptionist for another church. Francine has lived comfortably in a studio apartment in Manha
Books
No musician this side of Bob Dylan has been mythologized more than Bruce Springsteen Depending on who you talk to he is a modern-day Woody Guthrie a spiritual descendant of John Steinbeck or a would-be intellectual who reads William Carlos Williams on the tour bus The trick for those who consid
Of Many Things
You have to hand it to Mel Gibson. Whether his decision to screen The Passion of the Christ in advance for only a hand-picked cadre of sympathetic reviewers (mostly evangelical Protestants, conservative Catholics and sympathetic rabbis) was motivated by fear, money or faith, it was an excellent mark
Columns
How wonderful it is to have someone beg forgiveness. A dear friend of mine is a recovering alcoholic working the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. After a searching and fearless moral inventory (Step 4), he came to me, and others, to make amends (Step 9). This is where the repentant alcoholic
There is a saying, “Well begun is half done.” Liturgical celebrations are among the places where that saying is especially true. What follows is one presider’s and teacher’s reflection on the first half of the liturgy of the Mass, from before the entrance procession to the en
Books
This engaging and lively historical study weaves personal stories diplomatic correspondence and other accounts to depict the principal forces that shaped the founding of the United Nations While the author focuses on a conference held in San Francisco from April to July 1945 he effectively outlin
The Word
Those of us who were raised on any kind of catechism whether the pre-Vatican II Baltimore Catechism the Dutch catechism that was popular during the 1960 rsquo s and 70 rsquo s or today rsquo s Catechism of the Catholic Church were introduced to a list of characteristics or ldquo attributes rdquo
Editorials
"Our immigration system is broken and...in need of reform.” So said Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, Fla., chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Migration in a statement in early January—soon after President Bush issued his proposal on Jan. 7 about this controversial issu
The news these days is grim. Injustices that cry to heaven abound, while people feel ever more frustrated at their extremely limited ability to do anything about them. Our actions to combat injustices seem futile as the carnage goes on. We are tempted to ask, “Where is our God?”In the mi
Letters
Alternatives to Abortion
Your editorial The Abortion Debate Today (2/16) offered some excellent insights. However, we suggest that there is an additional and very relevant consequence of a consistent ethic of life: Pro-life faith communities must be prepared to offer expectant mothers realistic and effective alternatives to abortion. This may take various forms, like financial assistance, counseling, shelter and medical care.
As long as women feel that they have no choice but to abort, the culture of death will prevail. When life-affirming alternatives are as easily available as abortion, the culture of death will lose its appeal.
Mary Anne and Pete Gummere
Books
With another presidential election looming on the horizon voter turnout will be a major public issue Political participation however is just one measure of civic engagement and social capital Other measures ranging from volunteering and religious leadership to civic leadership and trust betwee
Books
Gerald G May rsquo s name will be familiar to many readers from his previous writings on spiritual matters The present volume offers a series of reflections on his study of the spiritual writings of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross two of the greatest and most authentic of Christian mystics
Editorials
The manner in which Catholics participate in the debate about marriage is as important as its outcome.
