A Reflection for the Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr, by James T. Keane
James T. Keane
James T. Keane is a Senior Editor at America.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Edna O’Brien: the quintessential Irish writer (who was occasionally banned in Ireland)
Edna O’Brien, who died on July 27, seemed to be in many ways the quintessential Irish writer. But her career began with a highly acclaimed novel that was widely condemned on the Emerald Isle.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Remembering Gail Lumet Buckley, chronicler of African American history and a ‘pluralistic Catholic’
Gail Lumet Buckley, who died on July 18, was an award-winning chronicler of the African American experience. She once wrote of herself in ‘America’ that “I choose the cross of faith over the sword of ideology.”
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Biden didn’t do something unthinkable. LBJ also withdrew from the presidential race.
President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election is surprising—but don’t call it unprecedented. It happened once before, in 1968.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
You’re reading this online. Walter Ong had thoughts about that.
The contributions of Walter J. Ong, S.J., to American letters are countless, and he remains a renowned figure in the study of communications, literacy, group psychology and mass media.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
John Gregory Dunne, the ‘Irish brawler’ who explored the nation’s soul
John Gregory Dunne had a unique ability in his writing—fiction or not—to show the saintly and the sinner all at once.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Archbishop Viganò excommunicated himself. What does that mean?
Friday’s announcement that Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò had incurred a ‘latae sententiae’ excommunication sent many reporters (and more than a few Catholics) looking for some clarity. Here’s what you need to know.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
You really don’t need all that stuff.
A Reflection for the Memorial of St. Benedict, abbot, by James T. Keane
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Vandalizing religious art isn’t defending the church. It’s sacrilege.
Vandalizing another culture’s sacred art is not a heroic act. It is an example of resistance to inculturation, part of the process by which the faith has become rooted in disparate cultures throughout history.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Why we miss Tom Wolfe in the Trump-Biden era
Tom Wolfe would have loved to write about a debate between a billionaire former president who is also a convicted felon and an octogenarian sitting president whose public mental lapses are vociferously denied by many of his own confidantes.