Commentaries
Authentic dialogue for our times
Citing Pope Paul VI, Father Eugene Hemrick points to four marks of good dialogue: clarity of speech, meekness, trust and prudence.
Blurred lines: Vatican manipulation of photo becomes news
Greg Erlandson explains the latest media tempest about transparency and the pontificate of Pope Francis involving two popes, one blurry letter and a dash of poor judgment at the Vatican's communications office.
You can freeze embryos, but not consciences
"Specimens" were destroyed when embryo-freezing facilities malfunctioned. Parents were upset not over the loss of "tissue," but of their preborn children. Richard Doerflinger reflects on the wisdom of opposing in vitro fertilization.
The church as field hospital for the wounded
Many young people are hurting inside, even deeply wounded, writes Sister Alicia Torres. Setting captives free from their wounds, including young people, is what Jesus asks of his church right now.
Grieving teen activists challenge us to act
That survivors of the Parkland, Fla. mass shooting have become advocates for safer schools should be a wake-up call for everyone, writes Maria Pia Negro-Chin. It's our turn to aid their efforts at keeping young people safe.
Should you be giving up Facebook for Lent?
It is not hard to become hooked on Facebook like a gambling addict is on casinos, writes Mary Solberg. But like dark chocolate, whose benefits improve our health, Facebook has benefits, too.
Making the case for kids amid a love fest for pets
Pets are nice, but Greg Erlandson points out how children are God's wonderful gift. He counts the five ways kids counter the impression that dogs are the new children, but better groomed.
Ease consequences of loneliness with human connection
We need to challenge ourselves to be connected with lonely people by inviting the neighbors over or putting down the remote and the phone and laughing with someone, writes Effie Caldarola.
Prayer: Leading us not into temptation
Maureen Pratt tells of a scientific study that showed people who pray frequently are better able to gain control of their thoughts -- resisting temptation, achieving goals -- than those who pray infrequently.
Shame adds to pain of slavery for 30 million addicted people
Those trapped by substance abuse know what they’re doing to themselves and others is wrong, but without help they’re unable to stop. We may be tempted to judge them, but they need our love instead, writes Gina Christian.