From 1989: A debate about the effectiveness and appropriateness of the R.C.I.A. in the life of the Catholic Church.
Vantage Point
Posted inFaith, Vantage Point
The Case Against R.C.I.A.
From Father Andrew Greeley in 1989: The R.C.I.A. has converted the sacramental experience into an obstacle course, a series of barriers to be surmounted, a list of tests to be passed.
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From 1981: John Kennedy Toole and the myth of fame
This story has no moral, only a great joy for Mrs. Toole, and a great sadness.
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From 1943: William Lynch on the Catholic imagination
In 1943, William F. Lynch, S.J., tackled a question many America writers would explore before and after: Is there such a thing as a Catholic imagination?
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From 1986: Andre Dubus on being a Catholic writer in a country that lost religion
A wide-ranging interview with Andre Dubus on literary influences, faith and the process of writing.
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From 1992: Fay Vincent on his ouster as MLB commissioner
When Fay Vincent Jr. resigned as commissioner of Major League Baseball in 1992 after a majority of Major League Baseball owners issued a vote of “no confidence” and called for him to step down, he chose America and his friend George W. Hunt, S.J., as the primary venue for his thoughts on the matter.
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From 1967: New Canons for the Mass
Those of us who have championed the vernacular cause over the years were never so naive (and we said so in print) as to believe that translation would put an end to all problems. In fact, it creates new ones.
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From 1978: Avery Dulles on Leonard Feeney’s excommunication, reconciliation and rhetorical gifts
Leonard Feeney, writes Avery Dulles, S.J., in this 1978 encomium, should be remembered for more than his actions that led to his excommunication. He was a gifted orator, apologist, writer and counselor.
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The real reason most liturgical music is terrible
Want better music at Mass? Leave it to the professionals (and pay them).
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Sigrid Undset on lies, truths and the Catholic writer
Sigrid Undset, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928, contributed numerous articles to America, including this 1942 essay on Catholic writers.