A Reflection for Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter, by Michael O’Loughlin
Michael J. O’Loughlin
Michael J. O’Loughlin is national correspondent at America and author of Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Catholic women weigh in on abortion drug mifepristone as legal battle heats up
In recent weeks, the battle over abortion focused on mifepristone, a drug used in more than half of all abortions in the United States and which can also be used following a miscarriage.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
‘Dirtbag, Massachusetts’: a former Catholic’s memoir about growing up in a turbulent home—and a broken church
Isaac Fitzgerald’s collection of essays Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional isn’t a Catholic memoir. Except when it is.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
How much does Joe Biden give to the Catholic Church? His tax returns give us a clue.
President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and First Lady Jill Biden donated $20,180 to charity in 2022 to 20 charities, including several Catholic parishes.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
North America synod document calls the church to welcome women, LGBT people and youth
With church leaders slated to meet in October for the next phase of the Synod on Synodality, the bishops conferences of the U.S. and Canada released a report summarizing the virtual meetings conducted with lay and ordained Catholics earlier this year.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
When a Catholic diocese goes bankrupt, does it help or hurt sex abuse survivors?
Defenders of bankruptcy say it gives organizations a fair way to distribute assets to those seeking compensation. Some critics argue that the process allows church leaders to hide assets, especially real estate.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Nancy Pelosi talks abortion, health care, women’s ordination and prayer at Georgetown University
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi cited the Gospel of Matthew as the motivation for her focus on social justice issues and said that U.S. bishops have focused too narrowly on abortion at the expense of other societal challenges.
Posted inFaith, Interviews
Cardinal Cupich on 10 years of Pope Francis: women, LGBT Catholics, sex abuse and what comes next
In a wide-ranging interview with America, Cardinal Blase Cupich reflected on what Pope Francis has accomplished so far, describing the Francis era as “a historic papacy” that comes at “a watershed moment” for the church.
Posted inFaith, Scripture Reflections
How Pope Francis has challenged us over the past 10 years
A Reflection for Monday of the Third Week of Lent, by Michael J. O’Loughlin
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
LGBT Catholics appreciate Pope Francis’ welcome, but hope for change
While many L.G.B.T. Catholics have welcomed Pope Francis’ emphasis on inclusion and welcome, they hope for future changes in policies and rhetoric around L.G.B.T. issues in the church.