I’ve often said that as a Catholic feminist covering the Vatican, I cannot wait until it is no longer newsworthy when women take on greater leadership roles in the church, but it is de rigeur.
Short Take
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Is inflation just telling us that our way of life is too expensive?
Our natural impulse is to do whatever it takes to keep gasoline and other prices low. But should it be cheap to further endanger our planet?
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
A Ukrainian Jesuit’s war diary
Witnessing the level and scale of violence throughout these past days, I still can’t understand its source—violence without reason, senseless cruelty.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Nearly 2 billion people can’t count on clean water at hospitals. The Catholic Church can help.
Sister Adela Orea finally got a clean water source for her hospital in Chiapas, Mexico. But should it take a tenacious sister and years of persistence for a health care facility to get safe water?
Posted inFaith, Short Take
What would Jesus say about cancel culture?
Even a cursory look at Scripture shows that Jesus was not at all afraid to repudiate those who deserved it.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
The crazy stories about St. Patrick that are actually true
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it is good to look back on some of the saint’s legendary accomplishments—some more legendary than others.
Posted inFaith, Short Take
‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’: The history behind the song
The history of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” is a colorful one—though shorter than you think.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
The outpouring of support for Ukraine is a great thing. Can we show the same compassion for victims of other global crises?
Human suffering crosses all ethnic, racial and political borders. Efforts to alleviate it must do the same.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
6 ways a plant-based diet can help us meet Pope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’’ challenge
Pope Francis has called for Catholics to support principles of “total sustainability.” A meat industry that warms the planet, ravages forests and fouls our water is incompatible with those principles.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
The church in Eastern Europe has a chance to improve its record on refugees
Two million people have already fled Ukraine, many to European nations that resisted accepting refugees from the Middle East. Will this new crisis force a reckoning on the treatment of all displaced persons?