Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s extraordinary letter on the sexual-abuse crisis in the Church generated expected, imprudent mixed reactions in the media and on social media. Almost immediately, some media organizations ran headlines that c … [Read more...]
Is It Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?
April 20, 2019 by Joanne M.M. Baker
Lately there has been much public criticism of our Holy Father the Pope even amongst faithful Catholics. Some have been dismayed by this criticism, considering it irreverent and judgmental. Yet others justify criticism of the Pope, saying … [Read more...]
A Surprising Beatitude
Dashing the Little Ones upon the Rock
January 1, 2019 by Kevin M. Clarke
In a 2007 class on the Epistle to the Hebrews, Jesuit Fr. James Swetnam passed along to us two words of wisdom from German Biblical scholar Joachim Jeremias. The first word: read a chapter of New Testament Greek every day. Indeed, very wise … [Read more...]
Reflections on the Crisis in the Church
September 18, 2018 by Deacon Mike Houghton
Every weekday morning, I pray the rosary in my car on the way to work. It’s not the most ideal time to do it; I’m often distracted by traffic events and inclement weather, but I suppose it’s better than not praying it at all. On Tuesdays … [Read more...]
When the Church Defames Her Priests
Over the last two decades, the Roman Catholic Church in the United States has reeled under claims of clerical sexual abuse. The claims resulted in extraordinary liability and wide-spread publicity. When bad things happen in any … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
July 21, 2017 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: Does a homily mean something other than a sermon? Online dictionaries seem to show them to be interchangeable. I have for years now believed homilies to be based on Scripture, and sermons might cover a range of topics, not … [Read more...]
A Recurring Problem at Georgetown University
May 14, 2016 by David Vincent Meconi
As a member of the Society of Jesus, it was embarrassing. As a member of the Society of Jesus, it was distressing, to say the least. It was right there in all the papers: life had become cheap—very cheap—happening at one of the first ins … [Read more...]
Sometimes It’s Best to Cover Your Eyes
May 14, 2016 by Roseanne T. Sullivan
After best-selling author, conservative blogger, and frequent First Things contributor, Rod Dreher, converted from Catholicism to Orthodoxy, he published many pieces about why he left the Catholic Church. In his book, How Dante Can Save … [Read more...]
Vanishing Catholics
December 23, 2013 by Fr. William P. Clark, OMI
According to recent demographic surveys, it seems there are presently 30 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as “former Catholics.” That figure is both surprising, and, for Catholics, disheartening. Over the past 50 years … [Read more...]
Helping to Heal the Pain in the Pew: The Preachers Role
March 26, 2013 by Rev. Richard R. DeLillio, OSFS
This sex abuse scandal is, perhaps, the first time our listeners in the pews truly understand the pervasiveness of sin. ... The preacher speaks of its toll on our hearts, while ...reminding us that grace is more … [Read more...]
Credible Communion: The Witness of Apostolic Religious Life
December 3, 2012 by Gill K. Goulding, CJ
When the Church has been humiliated and vilified by public scandal ... I suggest we need to shift our focus to Christ. Introduction “How can you write anything credible about the witness of religious life today?” I was asked by a disil … [Read more...]
Clergy Sexual Abuse: Questions Remain
August 30, 2012 by Fr. Regis Scanlon, OFMCap
The original John Jay statistics state that the sex abuse crisis was the overwhelming work of a very small number of clergy, targeting young males as their victims ... the one reform not addressed: screening out clergy candidates with … [Read more...]
“Never let me be parted from you”
Some Thoughts on the Integrity of the Priestly State of Life
July 30, 2012 by Fr. Andreas Hoeck, SSD
The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, is the same Spirit that fills the heart and mind of a good priest, vivifying his mortal body. Priests acting in that Spirit are seeking the advancement of the Kingdom, and will accomplish it. … [Read more...]
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