Although the Catholics invented the practice of excommunication to deal with severe sins, other religious groups have also adopted it for their own purposes.
Thomas J. Reese
Thomas J. Reese, S.J., is a senior analyst for Religion News Service. Previously he was a columnist at The National Catholic Reporter (2015-17) and an associate editor (1978-85) and editor in chief (1998-2005) of America.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
In transgender care debates, it’s OK to say: ‘I don’t know’
Being a member of the “I don’t know club” means you will be attacked by both sides. It does not mean you have nothing to say.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
The Synod on Synodality called for better liturgy. Will anyone listen?
We will have to endure the current flawed translation of the Roman missal unless liturgists, priests and people in the pews support the synod’s call for change.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Catholics are politically divided about the 2024 election. That’s an opportunity for the church.
The Catholic partisan divide provides an opportunity for the church to model proper civic behavior.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Jonah is the prophet we need today
God sending Jonah to Nineveh would be like telling a modern-day rabbi to preach in Iran or Gaza.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Want to fix democracy? Learn from the Catholic Church and hold a conclave on Capitol Hill
Congress could learn something from the way cardinals elect popes in conclaves.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
In Advent, God comforts us—so we can comfort others
God does not comfort us so we can simply be comfortable. God comforts us so we can comfort others.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
15 hidden gems in the Synod report that could lead to major church reforms
We can miss important opportunities for church reform if we only focus on the hot-button issues.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Pope Francis wants the synod in every parish. Here’s how to bring it to yours.
It will not be enough to read any document that comes from the synod; Catholics must experience the synod, must do synod. The best place to do this is in your parish.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
What Pope Francis forgot about the media: You either feed the beast or the beast eats you
You either control the narrative, or the narrative is controlled by anyone who grabs the media’s attention.