The Right LanguageRe “A Church for the Poor,” by Bishop Robert W. McElroy (10/21): I am glad to see the phrase “the common good” used. The word “poverty” appears 22 times, the phrase “the common good” 13 times, “the poor” 10 times, “a

Refreshing Appeal“A Church for the Poor,” by Bishop Robert W. McElroy (10/21), is an appropriate and timely complement to Pope Francis’ long interview published in America on Sept. 30. Among the many topics the pope addressed, perhaps the one given considerable attention was his ob

An ImprovementYes, yes to Jack Selzer (“Hail, Holy Grammar,” Reply All, 10/7), and yes again. The problem for me in the Hail Mary is that the words after “fruit of” sound like one name: “Thywombjesus.” Or maybe “Thywomb” is the first name. It is a bit

A Lay InterviewRe “A Big Heart Open to God,” by Antonio Spadaro, S.J. (9/30): It is one thing for two Jesuits to share their discussion around matters of faith, laity and the future of the church and put it out there for the world to analyze. How would it be for Pope Francis to have a co

Readers respond to "A Big Heart Open to God," by Antonio Spadaro, S.J. (9/30)A Beautiful HeartThe wonderful interview with Pope Francis is something that I will read over and over, trying to grasp for my own life the deep values that Francis holds dear and his vision for the church. I

Opening DoorsThe Francis factor, so to speak, is his focus on opening doors. How will anyone be open to Catholicism if they cannot get past knowledge of some of the prohibitions, without knowledge of the context, without invitation, without a love that compels them radiating from Christians?Kathryn

Eucharist at the CenterRe “Higher Learning,” by John R. Wilcox (9/9): We Catholics should insist that our educational institutions promote Catholic beliefs, starting with the belief that Jesus makes himself present to ordinary people in the celebration of Eucharist and that this is a goo

Letters Versus ArticlesRe “Of Many Things,” by Matt Malone, S.J. (8/12): It seems clear enough that publications like America must find new ways of sustaining themselves in this age of digitized information and opinion, but Father Malone’s suggestion that readers can now be &l

Safety and ForgivenessRe “Children First,” by Deacon Bernard Nojadera (8/12): In 1992 a priest I knew and loved was charged with the sexual abuse of two boys. I was in disbelief. He was a gifted teacher and writer. He was my friend. He was found guilty and incarcerated for some

Beauty of DanceRe “Pope Francis Calls for Solidarity and Dialogue” (Signs of the Times, 8/12): More than 10 years ago in America (“Shall We Dance,” 3/25/02) I asked whether we, as the people of God, would respond to the invitation to “praise God’s name in the fest