The journey from All Saints to All Souls
The month of November opens with two feast days that have shaped my experience of celebrating and mourning life and death.
Keeping it civil: a pro-life approach to public discourse
Democracy seems to be very popular; the work of democracy, perhaps not so much
8 ways the US church could be strengthened right now
8 ways the U.S. church could be strengthened right now
Of Many Things
Canada takes a left turn. What will it mean for Catholics?
That cry of “Lazarus, come out” we heard north of our border on the evening of Oct. 19 was the Canadian electorate reviving the fortunes of the long-thought-moribund Liberal Party.
Letters
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The Humble TruthRe “Doctrinal Challenges,” by Peter Folan, S.J. (10/12): I find it interesting that Jesus was able to launch all of Christianity in just a few years, an achievement beyond comparison in the Western world, without much if any reference to sophisticated intellectual theolog
Editorials
Euthanasia in California
One need not be a Christian or a believer to see the serious problems with laws that legalize a “right to die.”
Faith in Focus
Grassroots Gospel: A seminarian reflects on Pope Francis’ bold vision
A seminarian reflects on Pope Francis’ bold vision
Books
Intercultural Warrior
‘The Prophet of Cuernavaca,’ by Todd Hartch
A Scar on the Soul
‘Killing from the Inside Out,’ by Robert Emmet Meagher
The Searcher
‘Pure Act,’ by Michael N. McGregor
Theater
Sacred Space: ‘The Christians’ explores heaven and hell on stage
‘The Christians’ explores heaven and hell on stage
Poetry
C 24
Inside this monument a rainit doesn’t want, coming bywith winds and the flag this way and that reaching outas if the war endedsmelling from all your letters home wet—they had to be wet, scentedwith thunder and kissesleft on the ground, already this harves
The Word
Today’s Gospel: widows and scribes
“A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny”
Current Comment
Current Comment
The entrance of the Russian Federation into Syria’s multi-front civil war begins a new, distressing chapter in the savage conflict.
Generation Faith
Stained-Glass People : Reflecting the light of God through our imperfections
Reflecting the light of God through our imperfections
Of Other Things
Just lunch with Pope Francis
That Pope Francis would elect to simply have lunch with just the supporting cast, without any “important” people, reflects the unusual priorities of this bishop of Rome.
Signs Of the Times
Francis Calls for Decentralization And ‘Conversion’ of the Papacy
In his address to the synod on Oct. 17, Pope Francis emphasized the need to give new life to structures of synodality in the local churches worldwide. He confirmed his intention to promote greater “decentralization” in the church and to bring about “a conversion of the papacy.&rdqu
Planned Parenthood Ends Fetal Tissue Sales
The president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said on Oct. 13 that the organization’s clinics will no longer accept reimbursement for fetal tissue procured in abortions and provided to researchers. Cecile Richards said the decision was made “to completely debunk” a
News Briefs
Pope Francis joined Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner and Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus, in a visit to a new homeless shelter for men in Rome on Oct. 15. • In 2014, a recent high of 1,400 cases of blasphemy were registered in Pakistan, while its cou
Violence Continues Over Sacred Sites
This violence goes against Jerusalem’s vocation as a holy city, which should be open to all people of faith, he said. “We are shocked at what is happening,” Bishop Shomali said in mid-October, after two weeks of unrest. “Violence does not help. We do not accept violence by an
Courting Disaster?
The decision of the ruling African National Congress to withdraw South Africa from membership of the International Criminal Court has drawn fierce criticism.
Reports Track Plight of World’s Christians
During a press briefing after the report’s release on Oct. 14, Secretary of State John Kerry said these non-state actors “are now the principal persecutors and preventers of religious tolerance and practice.”“Most prominent, and most harmful, obviously, has been the rise of i
Refugees in Winter
Greece is bracing for thousands more Syrians and other people to land on Lesbos and other key island crossings from Turkey, as those fleeing conflict remain undeterred by the worsening weather and colder autumn temperatures. “The waves were rolling fiercely with the salt water nearly choking u
Washington Front
Why Pope Francis is a model for politicians
Three years after Paul Ryan and Joseph R. Biden debated as vice presidential candidates, Washington is anxiously waiting for them to make anguishing choices about their futures—whether Mr. Ryan will answer his fractured party’s pleas to serve as speaker and whether Mr. Biden has the emot
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts