Perspective Archive

The freedom of the Church Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The freedom of the Church

It is a great hardship that currently most Catholics have not been able to attend Mass in person and receive the Eucharist. Some of my friends, frustrated with laws restricting […]

The human costs of solitary confinement Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The human costs of solitary confinement

No one foresaw the coronavirus outbreak. And now that it is upon us, we have been slow to realize how much it will affect the way we see the world. […]

Pope’s message calls for better Catholic storytelling Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Pope’s message calls for better Catholic storytelling

Anyone who bemoans the prevalence of bad news in today’s media and feels a need to focus on truths that can bring people together will find hope in Pope Francis’ […]

Gov. Cuomo and God’s noncompetitive transcendence Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Gov. Cuomo and God’s noncompetitive transcendence

Last month, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, made a rather interesting theological observation. Commenting on the progress that his state has made in fighting the coronavirus and praising […]

From hero to hated in less than a week Default Thumbnail
Perspective

From hero to hated in less than a week

Although we are well into the Easter season, my mind harkens back to an event on Good Friday that has often puzzled me. What turned the crowd against Jesus? Recall […]

Medical care has changed forever Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Medical care has changed forever

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical care in a drastic way. I was told by my administration soon after the virus hit the Northern Indiana area to begin to change […]

The rationing of ventilators Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The rationing of ventilators

When ventilators are in short supply, several key ethical principles can assist clinicians: 1. Ventilators should not be rationed based on categorical exclusions such as a patient’s age, disability (e.g. […]

‘Keep that hope machine running strong’ Default Thumbnail
Perspective

‘Keep that hope machine running strong’

It started with the Italians, whose arias rose from the balconies. They were on lockdown, but their voices rang out down empty moonlit streets. Ballads, the national anthem, improvised ditties […]

‘Thank you’ is not enough Default Thumbnail
Perspective

‘Thank you’ is not enough

One of my routines in the early pandemic lockdown was to shop at a big-box retailer at 6 a.m. Along with food, a key purchase was fabric and supplies that […]

An eighth corporal work of mercy Default Thumbnail
Perspective

An eighth corporal work of mercy

There are strange gifts wrapped in this terrible pandemic. Its horrors are known, even if they were not appreciated early enough by many. Yet this stealth virus has held up […]

The dynamite of the Gospel Default Thumbnail
Perspective

The dynamite of the Gospel

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God!” (Rm 1:16) The Gospel is the very power of God. In the original language, the word […]

Look to Mary when feeling helpless, advise Poor Clares in New Orleans Default Thumbnail
Perspective

Look to Mary when feeling helpless, advise Poor Clares in New Orleans

By Beth Donze NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — As the pandemic throws a metaphorical grenade into the everyday habits of people around the world, the consistent and faith-bolstering rhythm of daily […]