Americans across the political spectrum can agree that both parties have dumbed down democracy, but only the Republican Party is rapidly moving toward the idea of simply refusing to accept election losses.
News Analysis
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Will Catholics join evangelicals in the culture war? 7 questions to understand the 2022 midterms
As a large voting bloc that is “split down the middle,” Catholics have an outsized role in determining this year’s election results. Will they focus on abortion, the economy or some other political issue?
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Irish Republicans praising the queen was once unthinkable. Elizabeth II changed that.
The tributes and gestures from the leaders of Irish political parties long established in the European mainstream came as no surprise. What came as something of a shock—especially to some of their supporters—were statements issued by the leaders of Sinn Féin, the party most associated with the Irish Republican Army.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Ireland’s synod report reveals a country that is largely ‘suspicious’ and ‘intolerant’ of its Catholic inheritance
For all the buzz surrounding its publication, the Irish synod synthesis is both sober and humble in tone and yet inspiring and hopeful.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
The U.S. must do more to help the Afghan people—even if that means working with the Taliban.
The New Taliban is about the same as the Old Taliban, but punishing the regime indiscriminately could push Afghanistan toward economic collapse and lead to another refugee crisis.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
How a Franciscan labor priest is helping Senate cafeteria workers in their fight for a new union contract
The Senate cafeteria workers are not asking for much—just an improved hourly rate that has a chance of catching up to inflation and something close to the health insurance abundance enjoyed by the senators they serve each day.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
No, the Supreme Court isn’t coming for gay marriage or contraception next
Clarence Thomas wants the Supreme Court to revisit same-sex marriage. But the majority opinion in Dobbs, and the comments of the other justices, suggest that he is alone.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Despite rocky relations with the Vatican, Justin Trudeau and Canadian leaders commend Pope Francis’ apology to Indigenous Peoples
In Quebec, Pope Francis spent time meeting with Canadian government officials about the rights of Indigenous peoples, a substantial step in the at times tenuous relationship between the Holy See and Canada.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Analysis: Pope Francis apologized to the Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Was it enough?
“They want to hear the Holy Father say it was the Catholic Church that was ultimately responsible for what descended on the peoples of our country, the first peoples.”
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
The Jan. 6 riot shocked Americans. Maybe it shouldn’t have.
The us-them thinking of modern Trumpist populism is nothing new. Americans have been responding to duress with xenophobia and anti-government narratives since the country’s founding.