Manhattan College thought it would be a good idea to send a few students to jail. Soon after, we, a Catholic institution in the Lasallian tradition, opened our doors to young men and women formerly incarcerated on Rikers Island in New York City. It is a program unlike any other in the nation. Why do

Today President Obama and Pope Francis met for the first time. John Carr discusses what the two leaders could learn from each other.

In New York City’s African-American community, more pregnancies ended in abortion than live births in 2012, and its 31,328 abortions—6,570 more than the 24,758 live births—represented a shocking 42.4 percent of all abortions, according to a report released on Feb. 21 by the New Yor

Human reason, married to empathy, has the power to formulate moral and just positive laws.

Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas told Venezuelan television on Feb. 20 that the church is willing to help establish peace, but reminded the government of its duty to rein in armed groups that are violently disrupting peaceful demonstrations. • Noting the proposed death penalty for the 20-

I do not think I can properly thank Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., for all he has done for me, for my brother Jesuits, for all of his students, for Catholic scholars and for Christians around the world—not to mention all the people who have ever heard him preach at Mass. Father Harrington has tau

Security and police forces seemed to melt away from the embattled Independence Square in Kiev and throughout the city, as it awoke on Feb. 21, the day after opposition and government forces signed an agreement that effectively ended turmoil in Kiev’s streets. In a rapid and remarkable series o

Lack of ProgressRe “Talking Poverty” (2/3, Current Comment): I concede that the “war on poverty” resulted in programs that made poor Americans slightly more comfortable. They can get food stamps, medical care and a monthly check to keep their heads just above water. But that

Understanding Pope Francis’ statements on homosexuality

Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., was one of the great treasures of American Catholic biblical scholarship. For nearly half a century, he was the premier chronicler of what was happening in biblical studies in this country and abroad. As a teacher, author, editor and preacher, he was the embodiment of the

As some 150 cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis to talk about the family, their two days of discussion focused particularly on three points: the Christian vision of people and family life, essential pastoral programs to support families and ministry to divorced and civilly rem

Pope Francis announced on Feb. 24 the creation of a new financial structure to coordinate and oversee the finances of the Holy See and Vatican City State. This was the latest move in the effort to reform the scandal-prone Vatican Bank and other financial institutions in Rome. The announcement comes

Privatized probation outsources justice to those with a financial stake in the outcome.

There are lies, damn lies, statistics and now Congressional Budget Office estimates.

Seeing this we fall to our knees. WeWouldn’t be willing to stop beingHuman he became willing to stopBeing wholly of light approachableTo become human and die as aHelpless creature died in thatJewish rite so that its drenchingBlood could besprinkle in itsDeep cleansing. How can weUnderstan

Scripture, Kathleen Norris writes, has the power to remove the heavy stone that lies on a grieving heart.

Supporters of traditional marriage must denounce unjust discrimination against homosexuals.

As protests in Venezuela continued, with flare-ups of violence, the country's Catholic leaders urged dialogue and respect for the demonstrators' human rights."We have called for the social and political leaders to engage in deep, sincere dialogue" to address the country's serio

John Dingell Jr who rsquo s represented many-times-redrawn pieces of Michigan in the U S House since winning a special election in 1955 announced this week that he won rsquo t run for another term this fall ldquo I rsquo m not going to be carried out feet first rdquo said the 87-year-old Demo