After adjusting for rising costs of living, a full-time federal minimum wage worker today earns 18 percent less than what her counterpart earned 11 years ago—$15,080 annually in 2021, compared with $18,458 in 2009.
Economics
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Prince Albert of Monaco: Together we can save our common home
The evidence of severe climate change is everywhere; but we still have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves, to stimulate the creation of new activities, thanks to innovative and sustainable solutions, both for nature and for humankind.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Biden wants to go big on infrastructure. Catholic leaders are hopeful it will help the poor
At first glance, a White House proposal aimed at improving infrastructure and creating jobs might not seem like a natural topic of discussion for Catholic leaders. But the American Jobs Plan has some theologians and activists hopeful.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Pope Francis warns us: Covid-19 is not the only global crisis we’re facing right now
The debt crisis in the developing world threatens a staggering impact on the world’s most vulnerable people. “We’re approaching the greatest wave of debt crises and debt restructurings the world has ever seen.”
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
I’ve been a priest for 50 years and still struggle with the problem of evil
The dispossession Christ experienced in his crucifixion is an act of solidarity with the dispossessed of the world.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Facing a growing budget deficit, Pope Francis cuts pay for cardinals and other top officials
In an effort to reduce a budget deficit exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vatican is cutting salaries for 6,000 higher-level employees.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Biden’s new child allowance is a breakthrough for families. Mitt Romney’s plan is even better.
The new Covid relief package attacks child poverty by providing cash to low-income and working-class parents. Patrick T. Brown writes that this is a goal that should unite policy makers from both parties.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: The voices of the marginalized tell us the most about privilege
Capitalism, consumption, and their (im)moral undercurrents are the subjects of Eula Biss’s new collection of essays.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Pope Francis and the dehumanizing nature of contemporary economies
Two recent books by Benjamin McKean and Vincent Bevins show the violence done to developing countries in the name of economic prosperity and U.S. political hegemony.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis signs off on Vatican budget with a multimillion-dollar deficit
The Holy See’s income for 2021 is down 30 percent, so it has to draw on reserves to cover the budget deficit and avoid layoffs.