For decades, I have admired Ron Hansen, the gifted author of many novels, including one of my favorites, Mariette in Ecstasy, about the religious experiences of a young nun in upstate New York. “Luminous” is how one reviewer described the book, and I think of that adjective every time I

Conversion in CubaRe “A Tale of Two Countries,” by Miguel Díaz (9/21): It is beautiful and appropriate to wax poetic about mercy. We should all abide by these timeless truths. Yet the call of Christ is conversion. To simply plead for mercy in Cuba while not demanding conversion of the C

More than 30 European Catholic justice and peace commissions have pledged their support of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and said they were grateful Pope Francis called the goals an "important sign of hope."

The abrupt resignation of John Boehner as Speaker of the House of Representatives is almost universally blamed on the impossible standards of his fellow Republicans.

Pope Francis enraptured both big and small crowds, leaving them both laughing and crying, be they the U.S. Congress or the tens of thousands that saw him in Philadelphia. Through it all, the pope seemed to just be himself, at least the self that we have become accustomed to seeing.

The pope’s visit struck cords in Africa on a number of levels. Some of the thorniest political debates in the United States are also difficult ones in Africa.

Faith and reason together must remain a cornerstone of our civic discourse.

If this October is anything like last year’s, the press covering the Synod of Bishops will focus almost exclusively on homosexuality and the possibility of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics receiving Holy Communion. That emphasis is understandable, since there is certainly division amon

When he was first elected, I said: 'Strap on your seatbelt.' My friend asked: 'Why?' I said: 'Because he’s a Jesuit.'

From start to finish, the memorial service at Ground Zero was a time of shared prayer, a remarkable interfaith moment of praying together.

At his New York Times blog Ross Douthat raises some good thoughts in light of the remarkable response that Pope Francis 39 s visit has generated In short Douthat questions whether a common assumption -- we are living in or soon to be living in a post-Christian society -- has perhaps been overst

By the time pope and president met in the presidential suite at New York rsquo s Waldorf Astoria on October 4 1965 Paul VI and Lyndon Baines Johnson were relatively new in their respective positions Both men assumed their offices two years previously mdash in 1963 mdash on the death of their pred

If heaven admitted shame, Clem and Richard Neuhaus might still blush at the separation they chose to create between themselves on earth.

A cynic would think of such “information” as polling numbers and fundraising totals keeping members of Congress from acting on many of the issues raised by Francis, including economic inequality, climate change, abortion and the death penalty, and immigration reform. But some political differences are not only a matter of conscience, but also of advanced knowledge.

Pope Francis rsquo s address to Congress is the topic of much anticipation and speculation because it is an unavoidably political event nbsp As I talk to reporters the questions always come around to the likely partisan impact of Francis rsquo speech nbsp ldquo Granted Francis is prolife and

In a recent conversation with a colleague about the times we feel most fulfilled as educators my colleague spoke of those moments when he acts as an advocate for students nbsp Advocate that word stuck with me Our modern usage thinks of advocate in many ways as a supporter for example but my

With decree on annulment, new possibilities for upcoming Synod

The concept of subsidiarity emerged out of Catholic social thought during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As Washington wondered what kind of truths Pope Francis would be delivering in his address to Congress, presidential candidate Scott Walker faced his own reality this week.

What to make of Pope Francis 39 s popularity TIME Magazine reports quot The Pope rsquo s popularity crosses wide mdash and often surprising mdash swaths of American society While it might not come as a shock that 87 of Catholics are fans of the Pope 61 of Protestants and 63 of people who fo