Opinion
Withhold honors, but keep talking
A recent string of news items concerning visits by public figures to Catholic college campuses has ignited the ire of people in the pro-life community. They point to the 2004 statement of the bishops of the United States, “Catholics in Political Life,” which says, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who […]
An omen for the future: A call to conversion
Guest ColumnistBy Msgr. Francis X. Meehan What will the future hold? Our financial situation has made the question all too real. We are unsettled. What if more dominoes fall? There are other questions about the future. One in particular reaches very deep; namely, the religious question. Here is one simple version of it: Will our […]
On condoms in Africa, Pope Benedict was right
No sooner did Pope Benedict XVI say at the start of his recent visit to Africa that distributing condoms to combat AIDS “increase(s) the problem,” a hail of criticism came from Western-based health organizations in Africa, media pundits and last week from the respected British medical journal, the Lancet. Putting it kindly, the observers and […]
Have a heart for the people
Guest ColumnistBy Msgr.James McDonough On Holy Thursday, the poignant lesson Jesus teaches, as we hear in Matthew 23:11, is “the greatest among you must be your servant.” Jesus’ proclamation to serve others, particularly in the Lenten Gospel readings heard during Lent, is the invitation that missionaries follow. They respond to God’s call and bring comfort […]
Catholic pride on the courts
For those with little interest in basketball, March is just a few chilly weeks set in the liturgical season of Lent. For fans of the game, March Madness is the buzz as men’s collegiate basketball teams around the country compete in the 64-team tournament to decide the national champion. People in both groups this week […]
Of feasting and fasting
Body LanguageBy Christopher West We are nearing the fourth week of Lent and Catholics around the world are embracing various forms of fasting and abstinence in preparation for the holiest week of the year. But why do we fast? How does saying no to food or other bodily pleasures actually increase our love for God? […]
Freedom from slavery
The death of Sulpician Father Joseph Martin last week illuminated the work of countless good priests who in their ministry bring souls to God. This priest, however, also helped free thousands of men and women from the slavery of addiction to drugs and alcohol. After his 1948 ordination and the beginning of his own recovery […]
Personal Lenten sacrifices help the world’s children
By Msgr. James McDonough One of my favorite responsibilities is going with missionaries to schools and talking to children in the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), a Pontifical Mission Society. Only children can belong to HCA. Our elementary school children, though young, share the missionary vocation of all the baptized. Through participation in HCA in their […]
On stem cells, president missed chance for unity
When Barack Obama was sworn in as America’s 44th president, he had a wide base of support as evidenced by his margin of victory in the election. President Obama vowed to reach out to everyone on the political spectrum in search of unity in order to tackle together the daunting problems the country faces. Many […]
The importance of the Church as institution
Guest ColumnistBy Msgr. Francis X. Meehan A few weeks ago, New York Times op-ed writer David Brooks wrote on the importance of institutions in American life. He spoke of family, school, profession, banking and even sports. The codes of an institution have a history, a communal logic not always easily understood until they unravel – […]