According to religious statistics, old Europe is still a part of the earth that is almost completely Christian. But there is hardly another case in which everyone knows as well as they do here that the statistic is false: This so-called … [Read more...]
About Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ, is editor emeritus of HPR, having served as editor for over 30 years. He is the author of the best selling Fundamentals of Catholicism (three volumes) and of the popular introduction to the Scripture, Inside the Bible.
The New Pagans and the Church
A 1958 Lecture by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). Translated by Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J.
January 30, 2017 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
Should homilies offer systematic instruction?
June 2013 Editorial
June 21, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
...there has been, in my view, a serious neglect of instruction of the faithful in the fundamentals of the Catholic faith in a systematic way in most of our parishes. Recently a priest friend asked me, “How can we teach the faith during S … [Read more...]
Change and permanence
May 22, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The Catholic Church has always seemed to me to be like the solid Rock of Gibralter — stable and permanent. Even though we live in a world of constant change and are able to adapt ourselves to it, most of us feel more at home with t … [Read more...]
True freedom is interior
April 18, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
Interior freedom is gained by loving God and one’s neighbor, and by not being inordinately attached to any created thing. Alexander Solzhenitsyn and St. Therese of Lisieux Freedom is what makes man to be man. Freedom is wh … [Read more...]
The Virtue of Fidelity
March 26, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
My thoughts turn to the importance and need of fidelity precisely at this time when the Church is being tested, both from within and from without. Fidelity to one’s word, to one’s promises, and to one’s vows to God is not something that … [Read more...]
On striving for perfection
February 24, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
Our ultimate goal in life, a supernatural goal, which is the face-to-face vision of God in heaven for all eternity, is a state of perfection. Gradual progress or growth from imperfect to perfect is a natural characteristic of all living … [Read more...]
Are doctrine and morals too controversial?
January 2013 Editorial
January 16, 2013 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
What happens to a parish, and to its parishioners, when the pastor refuses to preach Catholic doctrine and morals on the grounds that they are now “too controversial”? Cardinal Francis George and Cardinal Timothy Dolan are well known fo … [Read more...]
What does it mean to be “pastoral”?
November 26, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The term “pastoral” comes from the Latin, pastor, meaning “shepherd,” and thus refers to the work and concern of the shepherd for his sheep. In the current ecclesiastical jargon, what is the meaning of the word “pastoral”? The term wa … [Read more...]
Theologians’ academic respectability
October 22, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The teaching authority of the Church is the only guarantee the theologian has for both his academic respectability, and his intellectual freedom. Over the years, we have printed many articles on the proper relationship that should exist … [Read more...]
The Theology of St. Paul
September 5, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
St. Paul is the most important theologian in the history of the Church ... since St. Paul first gave expression to many truths that are the basis of the Creed and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. St. Paul's conversion and … [Read more...]
Evolution and the Catholic Faith
August 6, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
Evolution is a theory but not an established fact, because the origins of human life are not now observable, since, according to the theory, life arose from inert matter millions or billions of years ago. If evolution were a fact, it would … [Read more...]
“How I Got to Be Ninety-Five”
June 20, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The party was suffused with joy and Christian charity in celebrating the birthday of a mature man trying follow our Lord’s commandment: "Love one another." Recently, I attended a birthday party for an uncle who just turned ninety-five. T … [Read more...]
The Hypostatic Union
May 7, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The Hypostatic Union had a profound effect on Jesus’ human nature, as he is both true man and, also, God. Jesus is not a human person like us, but a divine Person. Holy Trinity by Hendrick Van Balen Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the foun … [Read more...]
The Interior Life
April 17, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The interior life for a Catholic means finding God in all things, leading to a life of contemplation in action. Faith in Jesus Christ has consequences. A devout Catholic, who takes his faith seriously, will live in way that is in … [Read more...]
Living as a creature
Editorial for February 2012
January 30, 2012 by Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ
The Bible begins with the solemn words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The Nicene Creed, which we pray at every Sunday Mass, begins: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and ear … [Read more...]
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