A more human society
Confusions about blessings
“The Catholic Church has dealt a blow to LGBTQ worshippers hoping for a more liberal, progressive church.” So says NBC News about a recent statement by the Vatican’s Congregation for […]
A more human society Archive
A more human society
Intolerant relativism
Once upon a time, many people assumed that dogma, especially religious dogma, was the enemy of freedom and friendship. If only we relaxed and let each person live by his […]
A more human society
The perils of isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed many victims, beginning tragically with the death of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors. Some of its harms are more intangible but equally real. Precautions […]
A more human society
The problem of political theologians
Some say religious leaders get too involved in politics. But we should also worry about politicians who wander into theology. One example comes from Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia, while […]
A more human society
Two kinds of feminism
“Today, our nation mourns the loss of a trailblazer, not only in the field of law, but in the history of our country.” So begins President Donald Trump’s proclamation on […]
A more human society
Confusion and conflict on abortion
We know what major opinion polls tell us about abortion. Americans are about evenly divided in being “pro-life” or “pro-choice.” Many think it’s wrong but should be a woman’s choice. […]
A more human society
Catholics in America
“A state need not subsidize private education. But once a state decides to do so, it cannot disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious.” So said the Supreme […]
A more human society
Two approaches to racism
It is clear where the Catholic Church stands on racism. The U.S. bishops’ document for Catholic voters, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” has long condemned acts of racism as “violations […]
A more human society
Two cheers for science
“At a time when things are most uncertain, we turn to the most certain thing there is: science.” So begins a television ad that the Pfizer corporation began running in […]
A more human society
The new coronavirus and us
I could write about something other than the new coronavirus pandemic, but right now it almost seems there isn’t anything else. The rapid spread of the virus, its death toll, […]
A more human society
The Catch-22 for religious freedom
I’ll always remember reading “Catch-22,” Joseph Heller’s novel about what he saw as the absurdities of war. In Heller’s account, enlisted men trying to escape those absurdities encountered ingenious military […]
A more human society
Catholic judges under the microscope
Catholics wanting to serve our country in the legal system are coming under intense scrutiny. In 2017, University of Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett was grilled by members […]