Despite the alphabet soup of acronyms used to describe educational programs and the bureaucratic red tape involved in obtaining benefits, learning is a singular experience and small improvements can have profound impacts.
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: What is impeachment and why is it an option?
Why do we even an impeachment process when we can just vote the president out of office? John D. Feerick of the Fordham University School of Law explains in an interview with America’s Nicholas D. Sawicki.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Why a repeal of the 2nd Amendment would not be enough to stop gun violence
Unlike other nations that prohibit or narrowly restrict ownership of high-body-count weaponry and ammunition, the United States is hindered in establishing effective gun control by federal and state constitutional roadblocks. Understanding these roadblocks is essential to devising a route around them.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Why the Eucharist is confusing for many Catholics (and survey researchers)
Do Catholics truly believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist? A recent survey says most don’t…but it’s complicated.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
The seal of confession and mandatory reporting: a survey of state laws
The Catholic Church is currently campaigning against California’s proposed changes to its mandatory child abuse reporting law.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
The Supreme Court may undo Roe v. Wade—if a majority can agree on the right reason
The Supreme Court has overruled longstanding precedents before, writes Ellen K. Boegel, but usually to end the confusion or chaos from an ‘erroneous’ decision. Will a majority describe Roe v. Wade that way?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: How could Bishop Bransfield misuse funds for years without raising red flags?
I knew who I needed to talk to process this news: my mom, an account who once worked for the Archdiocese of Washington.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: Measles, vaccines, religious exemptions
Every parent wants happy and healthy children, but unless we literally live on a deserted island, we are “a part of the main” and owe an obligation to our neighbors to protect them as well as ourselves.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Why doesn’t Pope Francis want people to kiss his ring?
Some background to the kerfuffle over Pope Francis and kissing the papal ring.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: The context and history of the Cardinal Pell verdict
There are elements in the trial of Cardinal Pell that do not easily translate to a U.S. context, including a media blackout and the cardinal’s long history with the issues of sexual abuse and cover-up.