Commentaries
Along the 2,000-mile border, few things are black and white
In her travels along a section of the U.S.-Mexico border, Catholic journalist Rhina Guidos found few straight lines in a terrain where multiple lives, cultures and human experiences intersect.
Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination and the future of Roe v. Wade
According to America magazine, a reversal of the landmark case offers a chance to save lives from conception to natural death, and to "undo a moral and constitutional travesty."
On the death penalty and the mercy of God
St. Maria Goretti, who forgave her murderer before she died, reminds us of our call to share God's mercy with those who wrong us, writes Effie Caldarola. Just punishment for crime should foster repentance and rehabilitation, not state-sponsored execution.
The Supreme Court as an abortion-law battleground
Richard Doerflinger thinks those foreseeing Roe v. Wade's reversal should calm down. It's more likely the Roberts court will take a gradual path away from Roe, perhaps with these three first steps.
‘Civic disruption’ requires moral, pastoral response
Rooted in the Gospel, Catholic social teaching is not political but principled, writes Bishop Barry C. Knestout. Christ's love makes us one human family, and informs our response to issues from defense of the unborn to immigration.
Counting on the Holy Spirit to turn CEOs into humanity’s wise elders
As an organizer of a Vatican meeting of CEOs from petroleum producers and investment firms, Carolyn Woo knew the Holy Spirit was working the room to help leaders dialogue and ultimately to pass on what we cherish most.
When Catholics gather to share and listen, good things happen
Last year's national meeting of 3,200 Catholic leaders and a recent Georgetown conference on polarization so impressed one participant that he sees such face-to-face-gatherings as ideal for energizing all Catholics.
Synod will study today’s music to hear what youth are saying
The church will listen to the next generation through their music to recognize their distinctive gifts and needs. Young people also must listen to the Lord to discern how be disciples in their culture, writes Father Thomas Dailey.
One brief shining moment
The play "Camelot," which celebrates American optimism, was always a tragedy of the fading dream of idealism. In this charged political climate Greg Erlandson wonders how we can reclaim the American dream.
On America’s birthday, focus on love and compassion
Moises Sandoval sees several ways Americans are responding to the call of Jesus in Matthew 25: "I was hungry and you gave me food ... a stranger and you welcomed me...."