Commentaries
Ebola brings out the best and worst of people
Steve Kent sees the heroism in doctors moved with empathy for victims of the deadly virus. He also sees the ugliness of prejudice and lack of compassion in some observers.
Pope as a warmonger? Not so fast
There is little evidence that Pope Francis is rethinking the "just war" doctrine, writes columnist Steve Kent. The pope was not talking recently about a traditional war between nations but about a criminal force of fanatical militants using crimes against humanity.
Stem cell issue throws cold water on Ice Bucket Challenge
After you get a bucket of ice water dumped over your head to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig's disease, direct your donation away from embryonic stem cell research, writes CatholicPhilly.com editor Matthew Gambino.
Mayor de Blasio’s indecent proposal
The New York City mayor found a way to offend Catholics and Jews by dictating how they should run religious preschools -- without religion. If the rules seem weird to John Garvey, what about 4 year olds?
Remember when political leaders solved problems?
As members of Congress enjoy a five-week break at home to campaign for re-election so they can return to Congress and continue to do nothing, Steve Kent recalls a time when thousands of refugees were welcomed to the U.S.
Moving forward in kindness, without a honk
Effie Caldarola see the world's many problems, and this year has been especially rough for many people. We can say we love Jesus, but we should act for justice too.
You can help eliminate world hunger
Jesuit Father William Byron sees progress in combating "food insecurity" and pervasive poverty especially in Africa, and he knows a way everyone in America can help.
Whose children are these?
Up to a 1.5 billion children in the world experience the trauma of war, abuse, displacement from home into hostile environments, loss of parents and siblings, brutal maiming and other horrors. Carolyn Woo knows there is a price to be paid for failing our children.
A lesson from the dimming of a bright star
Once, during a trip to New York City, some friends and I stopped into a restaurant on Seventh Avenue for dinner. I was happily slurping down my pho, a Vietnamese noodle dish, when I heard a familiar voice. The comedian Robin Williams -- Mrs. Doubtfire himself -- was sitting less than 10 feet away, telling hilarious stories to friends gathered around his dinner table.
Transform prisons from trash cans to labs for public good
An editorial in a Jesuit magazine argues longer jail terms through tougher criminal penalties do not solve social problems or reduce crime rates, and may cause serious social problems -- a view shared by the most prominent Jesuit, Pope Francis.