This week, the New England Patriots parted ways with their legendary head coach, Bill Belichick. Did he get too much credit for the team’s success?
Short Take
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Catholic universities need a new kind of affirmative action—for students aligned with their mission
The Supreme Court has limited the consideration of race in admissions, but Catholic schools may still pursue diversity by selecting students likely to advance social justice after they graduate.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
How Pope Francis reconciled church teaching with blessings for same-sex couples
With “Fiducia Supplicans,” Pope Francis turns the church’s attention to the pastoral needs of same-sex couples. We can chart this development over the past two years.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Fasting, praying and working out: What ‘Exodus 90’ gets right—and wrong—about asceticism for men
‘Exodus 90’ is meant as a spiritual and athletic exercise for men that centers on prayer, fasting and fraternity. It gets some things wrong and some things right. In the process, it reveals some of the failures of the church today.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Is politics bad? It depends on your view of human nature.
The headlines suggest that our political systems are incapable of solving big problems. What if we temper our expectations and realize that politics can bring out both the best and worst of humans?
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Is being rich bad for your soul? Yes, but not for the reason you expect
Our consumerist throwaway culture has severe and palpable noneconomic effects, driving the resort to abortion, assisted suicide, and even the way we treat animals in factory farms.
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 inPolitics & Society, Short Take
The 7 political works of mercy Catholics should practice in a democracy
The corporal works of mercy have long guided Christians in helping those suffering from poverty and oppression. Politics can also be a holy activity if we pursue certain works of mercy.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Migrants are not ‘just another story’—or just another political football
The notion that the flow of migrants will be stemmed by closing asylum “loopholes” is grotesque. Sometimes it’s hard to believe anyone in Congress sees migrants as human beings.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Pope Francis’ same-sex blessings declaration is a major step forward for LGBTQ Catholics
Some L.G.B.T.Q. people may say this declaration doesn’t go far enough. Others will think it goes too far. Both groups, however, can agree that this is a significant change, Father James Martin writes.