The Christian of the future, as Karl Rahner, S.J. once suggested, will be one who has experienced a life-changing encounter with the living Jesus Christ.

We are not contradicting Catholic doctrine in looking, with Pope Francis, to the full range of issues affected by our vote.

It is some comfort to recall that Catholics have already survived many difficult periods like our own.

A Pew Research Center study released in September shows that teens' religious practice is less than that of their parents. The lessened observance cuts across all denominational lines.

The Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States released a new document to aid Catholics as this year's election draws nearer.

My father turned away from religion. While reading his old letters, I got a glimpse of some of his earlier experiences with the Church.