The papalization of the church reached its most robust form in the first half of the 20th century, but it might be seeing its twilight under Pope Francis.
John W. O’Malley
John W. O'Malley, S.J., the author of The First Jesuits and What Happened at Vatican II, died on Sept. 11, 2022 at the age of 95. He first began writing for America in 1972 and brought his skills as a historian to bear on topics as diverse as Vatican II, the sexual abuse scandal and the presidency of Barack Obama.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
The history of synodality: It’s older than you think.
As the three-year synodal process that will culminate in the 2023 World Synod of Bishops gets underway, John W. O’Malley, S.J., offers some historical context for what synodality is all about.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
R.I.P. John Padberg, a Jesuit historian and a historian of Jesuits
John Padberg, S.J., the noted Jesuit historian, died on Christmas Day. He is remembered here by his longtime friend and colleague, John W. O’Malley, S.J.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Who governs the Catholic Church? It’s an open question.
History shows that authority in the church has taken many forms.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Do St. Ignatius’ “Rules for Thinking with the Church” call for blind orthodoxy?
The founder of the Jesuits writes, “What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical Church so defines.” Let’s unpack that.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
70 years of friendship: John O’Malley on Jesuit spiritual master Howard Gray
If the church is a field hospital, I have known a place within the church where the wounded have flocked for many decades. I am speaking, of course, of Howard Gray.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
The man who fought papal infallibility
Largely forgotten today, Ignaz von Döllinger was one of the most widely respected Catholic intellectuals of his day.
Posted inFrom Our Archives
A cliché, a council, and, finally, Pope Francis
The blueprint for Pope Francis’ pontificate has from the very first instant been Vatican II.
Posted inFrom Our Archives
Family Gathering: Rediscovering the role of the Synod of Bishops
Unlike the other synods held since the Second Vatican Council, the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discuss the family, held in Rome last October, sparked widespread interest. It did so for two reasons. First, the open and lively debate in the synod contrasted starkly with the muted
Posted inIn All Things
Is a Precipice Yawning? John W. O’Malley, S.J., Responds to Ross Douthat
Ross Douthat rsquo s article in the nbsp New York Times on Sunday sounded the alarm Pope Francis through his Synod on the Family has brought the church to the edge of a precipice If the synod continues on its present trajectory it will ldquo sow confusion among the church rsquo s orthodox adhere