Columns Archive

Roots of Catholic anger Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Roots of Catholic anger

After a month out of the country, working in Rome at Synod-2018 and helping mark the 40th anniversary of John Paul II’s election at events in Brussels and Warsaw, I […]

Sober but serene themes of judgment in the spirituals Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Sober but serene themes of judgment in the spirituals

I’ve often been impressed by the ability of old African-American spirituals to treat serious subjects in a clear, memorable and almost joyful way. This is true even of weighty matters […]

Autumn hope — the rosary Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Autumn hope — the rosary

There is a nip in the air, not just in the morning anymore, but lingering throughout the day. Sometimes it is even down-right cold. The leaves on the deciduous trees […]

Those who trust in the Lord are rich in the Spirit Default Thumbnail
The Sunday Gospel

Those who trust in the Lord are rich in the Spirit

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 12:38-44 The First Book of Kings furnishes this weekend’s first reading from the Scriptures. Political governance, in the minds of the ancient Hebrews, was […]

On not being a vegetable Default Thumbnail
A more human society

On not being a vegetable

Of all the dilemmas classified under end-of-life issues, the most divisive even for Catholics has been the treatment of people diagnosed as being in a “vegetative state.” The phrase has […]

Physicians unite to prepare for battle Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Physicians unite to prepare for battle

I was blessed in September to be able to attend the 87th annual educational conference of the National Catholic Medical Association in Dallas, Texas. The conference title this year was […]

‘I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully, wonderfully made’ Default Thumbnail
Perspective

‘I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully, wonderfully made’

During a lecture at an Asian university on how businesses and the students’ future careers in this sector can bring about constructive social and environmental change, a question shot out […]

Getting real about our challenges Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Getting real about our challenges

Tracking the Catholic zeitgeist these days can be a dizzying experience. It helps to have a sense of history, and perhaps a sense of irony as well. Once upon a […]

Sexual orientation: hope for restoration and healing with SOCE Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Sexual orientation: hope for restoration and healing with SOCE

Sexual orientation change efforts rely on professional therapy and counseling, often in a religious context, to assist those struggling with unwanted homosexual inclinations who would like to diminish their same-sex […]

Which is the first of all the Commandments? Default Thumbnail
The Sunday Gospel

Which is the first of all the Commandments?

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 12:28b-34 The Book of Deuteronomy is the source of the first reading this weekend. One among the first five books of the Bible, Deuteronomy […]

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness Default Thumbnail
Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness

The following is the text of the homily given by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades on the Solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1, at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University […]

Seeing the best at the worst of times Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Seeing the best at the worst of times

Roxanne Loper was almost home. Her journey had begun 15 months ago, when she spotted a picture of a baby girl on the World Partners website and sensed something special. […]