Commentaries
We need to clearly distinguish the types of discrimination
A pending Supreme Court case highlights the differences between mindless prejudice and genuine religious convictions, writes Richard Doerflinger.
PREP innovations help to keep the kids (and parents) in the church
As a product of parish religious education programs, editor Matthew Gambino sees hope in the new ideas that parish leaders shared recently for delivering the content of faith to today's families.
When you’re down in the dumps, get to work in the dirt
Depression can leave us paralyzed and hopeless. But God can revive our spirits through the beauty of nature and simple garden tasks, writes Father Eugene Hemrick.
As it was then, is now: ‘The cry of humanity’ is for peace
Sixty-five years ago, at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, an 11-year-old boy was told he might not live to see 21. Today he reflects on the prayers of people and the words of a pope that averted annihilation, and could do so again in our time.
We must rally around the forgotten Americans of Puerto Rico
The hurricane that hit the island is gone but miseries remain: There are no crops left, and there won't be any for another year. Residents should be treated as the U.S. citizens that they are, an editorial argues.
Civility and church life
Archbishop Chaput comments in the current issue of First Things magazine on the withdrawal of an invitation to Jesuit Father James Martin to speak at a Washington, D.C. seminary, and the nature of discourse in America today.
Christians must stand for dialogue when cyberbullies attack
Online furor led Catholic University's seminary to cancel a talk by Jesuit Father James Martin, author of a book on outreach to the LGBT community. The priest's call for conversation should not be silenced by trolls, writes Effie Caldarola.
New study of Catholic parishes offers good news, bad news
The latest research on U.S. Catholics both encourages and challenges, writes Greg Erlandson. Mass attendance is down, lay involvement is up -- while vocations, finances and youth outreach remain ongoing concerns.
Technology can’t (and shouldn’t) take all the bumps out of life’s journey
The tenth anniversary of the iPhone invites us to reflect on the impact of technology, writes Brett Robinson. Convenience and comfort can block the way to the divine, as an ancient pilgrimage route reminds travelers.
Complexities of immigration meet the eternal wisdom of God
The Bible shows that immigration is God's means for emancipation, writes Father Eugene Hemrick, and today's newcomers enhance the life of the church and nation. But without considering God's law, immigration laws have no possibility of succeeding.