Of Many Things
What John Courtney Murray would say about the state of public debate
“Civilization,” wrote John Courtney Murray, S.J., “is formed by men locked together in argument. From this dialogue, the community becomes a political community.” Can we still say this today?
Your Take
How do you rate the quality of liturgy in your parish?
“We have a priest who makes everyone feel welcome, says Mass with great reverence and gives meaningful homilies”
The Letters
There must be transparency.
Editorials
Why do we have to put livelihoods on the line in order to get anything done in Washington?
Any willingness to cooperate across party lines is praiseworthy. Unfortunately, brinkmanship remains the preferred legislative strategy.
Pope Francis’ black eye tells us a lot about the church today
Francis’ black eye provides a powerful metaphor for his ecclesial and personal style.
Short Take
The redemption of ex-prisoners is a duty of the Catholic Church
Pope Francis reminds us that we must “cleanse, heal and restore” the sinner, including those returning to society from prisons.
Dispatches
How L.A.’s Catholic schools are growing when so many others are closing
“Our vision is growth. We’re the largest archdiocese in the country, largest Catholic school system in the country, and we still feel like we’re underserving our population.”
Pope Francis in Colombia, Day 5: Pope, in farewell appeal to Colombians says, “Be slaves of peace forever.”
The motto for Francis’ visit was, “Let us take the first step.”
Swaziland church takes lead in fighting human trafficking, violence against women
Swaziland’s police commissioner praised the Diocese of Manzini and Bishop José Luis Ponce de Leon for organizing marches to help in “the fight against crime.”
The U.S. Catholic experience is increasingly Hispanic and Southwestern
Back in 1991, close to nine in 10 Catholics in the United States were white. Today, that number is down to 55 percent—and that percentage will continue to drop.
Features
Sex abuse happens across denominations. Here’s how one Protestant minister is helping people heal
The Rev. Carol Howard Merritt says that the image of a God who suffers with us can play a role in helping people recover.
How the top-heavy Catholic Church is losing the ground game in China
Even if relations improve with the government, the Catholic Church in China needs evangelization efforts to grow beyond a devout but tiny membership.
Faith in Focus
A trip to the country’s oldest Catholic radio station. Location: Nome, Alaska
KNOM has been broadcasting news, weather and the Mass to Alaskans since 1971.
Ideas
What I learned about my Catholic faith from watching a bullfight
The bullfight enacts the human drama each of us participates in.
Books
Winston and George, writers and truth tellers at heart
As social observers, generally from opposite ends of the political spectrum, both men were keenly aware of England’s long-held class divisions.
The long, ugly history of segregated housing
Government action at every level has caused segregated housing and its ugly effects in the United States.
The facts on the ground in the West Bank
Elizabeth Webb reviews “A Land Without Borders” by Nir Baram.
Television
Ken Burns’s ‘Vietnam’ revisits a barbaric war and asks, what went wrong?
For nearly 20 years, the United States was severely divided by race, and a generational split not seen since the Civil War.
Poetry
This, A Gospel
In the beginning my beginning hummed with the sound of a thousand other beginnings. Now, when I say light, I stare away from sun & into your body. If I am to be in possession of anything, I want it to be my state of witness. How difficult to see the consanguinity of rivers, one…
The Word
Truth to Power
Today’s parable challenges anyone today with a position of leadership in the church.
Clothing Ourselves in Love
The Gospel passage this week finds Jesus still in the Temple, warning the chief priests and elders that their time is running out.
Last Take
I cover politics for NPR. We can do better than this.
There just don’t seem to be many who seem willing to engage with members of both parties from a position of respect and empathy.
Faith
Truth to Power
Today’s parable challenges anyone today with a position of leadership in the church.
How do you rate the quality of liturgy in your parish?
“We have a priest who makes everyone feel welcome, says Mass with great reverence and gives meaningful homilies”
Clothing Ourselves in Love
The Gospel passage this week finds Jesus still in the Temple, warning the chief priests and elders that their time is running out.
Sex abuse happens across denominations. Here’s how one Protestant minister is helping people heal
The Rev. Carol Howard Merritt says that the image of a God who suffers with us can play a role in helping people recover.
How the top-heavy Catholic Church is losing the ground game in China
Even if relations improve with the government, the Catholic Church in China needs evangelization efforts to grow beyond a devout but tiny membership.
Pope Francis’ black eye tells us a lot about the church today
Francis’ black eye provides a powerful metaphor for his ecclesial and personal style.
Pope Francis in Colombia, Day 5: Pope, in farewell appeal to Colombians says, “Be slaves of peace forever.”
The motto for Francis’ visit was, “Let us take the first step.”
A trip to the country’s oldest Catholic radio station. Location: Nome, Alaska
KNOM has been broadcasting news, weather and the Mass to Alaskans since 1971.
Magazine
The Letters
There must be transparency.
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts