Commentaries
Let the people, in their states, decide on abortion
Based on a recent Supreme Court ruling, John Garvey envisions the overturning of the decision that legalized abortion. Upholding states' rights to ban abortion would be a good thing for democracy and for the law.
New church rules on sex abuse a good start to restoring trust
By setting norms for the role of bishops in handling cases of abuse by clergy, Pope Francis' new document closes one gaping hole in the U.S. bishops' charter, says an editorial in Our Sunday Visitor.
You want to save the world? Think small
Effie Caldarola wants at least to make a dent in the world's woes. So she began with the gift of water ice -- for a carload of young soccer players, child refugees from the Syrian war.
Jean Vanier, a theologian of the everyday
Patrick Walsh sees in the recently deceased Frenchman not only how communion can transform both giver and receiver, but also a model for holiness: just "become a little friend of Jesus.”
Abortion, sex strike and our Christian sexual witness
An actress has called for women to refrain from sex in opposition to recent abortion laws, but Gina Christian believes we should embrace sexuality for the divine gift it is, not weaponize it.
What Jean Vanier taught us
People like the Frenchman who opened his home to welcome the disabled and who died this week at 90 make this weary world more bearable, writes Effie Caldarola. He changed attitudes by living the Gospel.
On composting of human bodies
The latest assault on the ancient human instinct to bury our dead, in favor of mulch for one's yard, is the inevitable result of a grotesque view of humanity in the created cosmos, writes George Weigel.
Young man’s answer to ‘what is church?’ is revealing, hopeful
A recent college grad gave Sister Marie Lorraine Bruno a vision of the church of the future, different than hers from years ago but one filled with the virtue of hope shared by Mary, the Mother of Hope.
‘Going’ to church: The ultimate networking event
Some Catholics participate in the Mass only through TV or the internet, but they still share in the Body of Christ with those physically present in a church, writes Oblate Father Thomas Dailey on World Communications Day.
Lawmaker’s rant shows we are among wolves
A viral video of State Rep. Brian Sims berating a pro-life witness shows how Christians can expect to be mocked for upholding their faith, writes Kim Griffin. Yet the need to defend both human dignity and religious liberty is greater than ever.