Commentaries
Taking the public health crisis of suicide seriously
The U.S. suicide rate jumped 30 percent from 1996 to 2016, writes Richard Doerflinger but it's much higher in states permitting assisted suicide, not counting the states' "aid in dying" cases.
God asks us to embrace social media to make his presence known
The power of digital networks cannot be underestimated in the lives of today's young people, writes Sarah Yaklic. If the church would meet them and become their companions, we'd better run -- not sit and wait for them.
When it seems things are falling apart, look to the margins
What's happening to us? asks writer Effie Caldarola: White House staffers are being kicked out of restaurants, entertainers hurl obscenities at the president, and immigrants are dehumanized from the top.
June’s Supreme Court rulings: Free speech, bad speech and freedom
A University of Notre Dame professor looks at how the Supreme Court condemned California's attempt to coerce speech about abortion, and how President Trump abused his power to speak but was within his rights to act.
The church needs not clout, but gift of contemplative monasteries
It's tempting to withdraw into alarmist speculation about the church in a changing Western culture, but Father Eric Banecker points to contemplative prayer as the way the church can respond to the Holy Spirit in our times.
Understand the three enemies of kindness, and conquer them
Kindness is being well-disposed toward our self, neighbors, world, government, church and God. Father Eugene Hemrick shows how resolving conflicts starts with identifying the desire to dominate, resentfulness and envy.
Trauma of family separation has long-term impacts on kids
Cabrini University professor and childhood trauma expert Colleen Lelli looks at the psychological and physical effects of extreme stress on children, especially those separated from their parents.
Top journalism awards just surface of success at CatholicPhilly.com
This Catholic news website recently received honors in three categories for writing and photography. The editor sees significance in CatholicPhilly's growth and its relationship -- its communion -- with readers.
Instead of separating families, U.S. should get at root of problem
Violence, gang recruitment, poverty and no education are the reasons families migrate from their home countries, writes Father Gus Puleo. U.S. policies should address these factors and fix our broken immigration system.
Critics of Paul and Francis forget the church is one, holy, catholic
Catholics opposing one pope's document on sexuality and another pope's document on global business and care for creation must remember God's plan of salvation for us is communal, writes John Garvey.