God sending Jonah to Nineveh would be like telling a modern-day rabbi to preach in Iran or Gaza.
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 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.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Father Timothy Radcliffe showed at the synod: It takes a Dominican preacher to explain a Jesuit pope
Through the centuries, there have been many disputes between Jesuits and Dominicans. But when the Jesuits are in real trouble, they know they can turn to the Dominicans for help.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis wants discernment to guide the synod, but it’s not easy—nor always successful
Dialogue becomes that much more difficult when you feel that God is on your side.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Is it time to start thinking who might be the next pope?
Pope Francis will soon have appointed 72% of the cardinal electors—but the next pope could still surprise us.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Pope Francis now has the cardinals he needs for the next conclave. It may not be enough to ensure his legacy.
It is too early to predict the outcome of the next conclave, but Pope Francis has set the stage through his appointments.