Pope Francis made headlines recently with his critical remarks on capitalism and the “economy of exclusion.” It did not take long before pundits accused the Pope of supporting radical ideology. Politicians rushed to enlist him in support of their agenda. (Rush Limbaugh called him a Marxist; President Obama cited him in a policy speech.) What […]
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To Share in the Sufferings of Christ
For non-Catholics, one of the strangest aspects of Catholic faith is its doctrine of suffering. It is not strange that Catholics should concern themselves with suffering. Suffering is a universal human problem. Some religious traditions (like Buddhism) are almost wholly concerned with the problem of suffering: how to eliminate it, endure it, or even deny […]
Continue readingWhy the Gospel is Good News
I had a religious discussion recently with someone who does not share my Catholic faith. The topic was comparative religion and the relative merits of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and so forth. I made the point that many religions acknowledge one God (or one source, or origin, or ground of all being) from […]
Continue reading10 Years a Catholic
On November 16, I celebrated the tenth anniversary of my reception into the Catholic Church. In view of that landmark, I would like to offer some reflections on my experience as a Catholic. It has been a wonderful ten years, full of joys, sorrow, and even some surprises. Above all, it has taught me the […]
Continue reading“Who am I to Judge?” Pope Francis and the Question of Human Sexuality
A Catholic friend of mine recently went to pray for the unborn and their mothers in front of an abortion clinic in Alabama. Abortion advocates on the other side of the street met him with a sign reading (more or less), “The Pope says you should shut up and go home!” Similarly, a student recently […]
Continue readingNew Talk for the Confraternity of Christian Mothers.
I recently gave a talk for the Confraternity of Christian Mothers in Birmingham, Alabama. The video is available at their Youtube channel: It’s in five parts, all uploaded separately.
Continue readingOpen Line Today
I will be on EWTN’s Open Line today, August 8, at 2:00 PM (Central). http://www.ewtn.com/radio/weekday/ewtnopenline.asp I welcome your calls and feedback on today’s show. Thanks!
Continue readingThe Second Vatican Council and the Year of Faith Part I
. Fr. Richard John Neuhaus once spoke of the late 20th century as “The Catholic Moment.” He was a Lutheran pastor when he penned those words, but Neuhaus understood something important about the Catholic Church in the modern world. For Fr. Neuhaus, the Catholic Church was uniquely situated to confront the modern crisis of unbelief. […]
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