Commentaries
A look at new millennium’s fearless future leaders
Present leaders are unprepared for the overwhelming challenges confronting the world today. Father Eugene Hemrick looks at seven traits of the future young leaders who've been tempered by their experience in this century.
In their care of souls, priests are most essential workers
When Father Eric Banecker was told he couldn’t anoint a sick person outside of hospital visiting hours, it laid bare two competing visions of reality, and a realization of the eternally essential ministry of priests.
Digital contraception has disconnected personal relationships
In a way similar way to birth control, media have depersonalized human communication by reducing the messy work of human contact and intimacy, writes Brett Robinson.
Guidance for the Catholic voter’s conscience
Every four years, some Catholics tell other Catholics who they must vote for, but Greg Erlandson points out a U.S. bishops' guide to considering four principles of Catholic social teaching.
Woe to those who gossip
Some of the worst online backbiting spread on Catholic keyboards, undermining the unity Christ longs for in his church, writes Elise Italiano Ureneck.
Debunking the myths of Little Sisters’ unwanted fight
The Little Sisters of the Poor only want to continue to quietly serve the elderly poor. But while defending religious liberty, they've been smeared, and Sister Constance Veit sets the record straight.
For which imperfect candidate should I vote?
Deciding for whom to vote comes down to a voter's "properly formed conscience," say the U.S. bishops, who treat Catholic voters as adults, writes Hosffman Ospino.
In these ‘interesting’ times, make the best of this gift
There's never been a boring time to be blessed to live on this precious earth, and 2020 is no exception. Honor this brief time, writes Effie Caldarola, and try to cover someone you love with warmth.
What comes after the pandemic?
Pope Francis is pointing out the vulnerabilities of our sick society. But after we leave the field hospital, we face the temptation to return to the same disparities, injustices and degradation that we have lived with for so long.
Why is our discourse destructive? We enjoy anger
Taking pleasure in the abuse of our political or religious opponents for its own sake is not just coarsening, it's wrong, writes John Garvey. Or as his kids would say, that's messed up.