Commentaries
Women religious are Catholic Church’s unsung heroes
Callista L. Gingrich, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, praises the fearlessness and extraordinary contributions of nuns on the front line of human crises around the world. Too often, sisters' work goes unnoticed and underappreciated.
If denying food to seniors with dementia is treatment, we’re all terminal
People are learning how they can demand in advance that they be starved to death if they develop dementia. Disability rights groups and writer Richard Doerflinger see this trend as troubling, for three reasons.
Liberalism’s crisis point and the church’s response
Today is a moment for religious activity, writes Deacon Eric Banecker. Political forms will come and go, but at the end of the day, only a robust public affirmation of God will bring about renewal in our society.
A daydreaming believer
We aren't supposed to be hiding in the sanctuary, fussing with the candlesticks, writes Greg Erlandson. We, the entire people Christ has gained as his own, are called to go out and share the good news.
The holiness of the ordinary in ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’
As news spreads about the tactics used by Facebook to hook users and mine their personal data, it may be time to recall Fred Rogers' saying that the space between the television screen and the viewer is holy ground.
Caught in the very act
In a moving Gospel story, the woman caught in adultery (not her unidentified partner) and a mob confront the merciful Jesus who overturns rules and stands with the underdog, writes Effie Caldarola. Do we act as Jesus does?
As we forgive: what Jesus asks of us in the Lord’s Prayer
We tell ourselves that we have a right to nurse grudges against those who insult and cheat us, at least until the score is settled, writes John Garvey. We cannot accept the forgiveness of Jesus on the cross if we withhold our own.
St. Clare and feminism
Clare of Assisi was a 13th-century woman who challenges the modern world, writes a researcher on her life. Clare spent much of her life fighting patriarchy and exploitative economic and social power to live the "privilege of poverty."
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.