Commentaries
Whose life is it? The illogic of physician assisted suicide
We don't choose the circumstances of our birth and we are never completely in control of our lives. To claim we are the master of our own lives doesn’t make sense, and neither does suicide, writes Sister Constance Veit.
National Catholic journals unite: ‘Capital punishment must end’
The editors of four national Catholic publications cited Archbishop Chaput's recent statement and those of other prelates and governors in condemning use of the death penalty. Read the full editorial here.
When special-needs child arrives, it’s all hands on deck
In their Marriage Matters column, Deacon Paul and Helen McBlain examine the case of how a wife struggles with her husband’s avoidance of their infant son born with birth defects.
Exploring the pope’s vision for women in the church
Whether in marriage, business or church life, women want to be partners, not subcontractors, writes Carolyn Woo.
Truth under fire: What is a lie, and what is a mistake?
Father William Byron is in the forgiveness business, so he hopes NBC News anchor Brian Williams can return as a newscaster, and not become another ethics lesson.
Remembering a great priest and leader
Father William Byron remembers the lessons of life and leadership from a giant in American Catholic culture, Father Theodore Hesburgh, who died last week.
Sacrament, not psychoanalysis
John Garvey points out a good reason to go to confession: it's good for us. God has made his mercy available. Why not take advantage?
Jailing families: U.S. should pursue prison alternatives for migrants
U.S. bishops have warned about the potential for abuses in family detention centers, and now abuses are occurring. An editorial argues immigrant children should live without barbed wire fences while their legal status is being sorted out.
Both political parties play immigrants as pawns
Between the recent executive orders on deferred deportation for immigrants, a judge's blockage of the plan and entrenched congressional opposition, Father Gus Puleo believes Republicans and Democrats share blame for failing to reform the system.
Child’s bus ride leads to deep life lessons
A children's book subtlety draws the link between worship and service, observes writer Effie Caldarola. One lesson: reply to a child's plea of "I want that" to "You have this."