In recent years, the issue of transgender identity in children has leapt from the periphery of public consciousness to centre stage of a cultural drama played out in the media, courts, schools, hospitals, families, and in the minds and bodies of children. It is a kind of utopian religion with committed believers. The drama is Read more
Jesus once said: “If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble… it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” To be a representative of institutional Christianity after last week is to feel the weight of that Read more
Whatever else Pope Francis’s decision Monday to open the archives from the pontificate of Pius XII in 2020 may mean, there’s one preliminary conclusion that seems take-it-to-the-bank, no-doubt-about-it, slam-dunk certain. Here it is: Opening the archives will not – indeed, by definition, cannot – settle the historical controversy about Pius XII and his alleged silence Read more
I remember sitting in Cannon Chapel (Emory University) and listening to Dr. Tamura Lomax[1] preach a sermon from the perspective of The Canaanite Woman found in the Gospel of Matthew 15: 21-28. We were both matriculating through seminary as MDiv students and I was just in awe of her scholarship and the ease at which Read more
Brenton Tarrant’s manifesto is unbelievably offensive. It talks about the supremacy of the European people and deporting all non-Europeans. He says he decided to take a stand to ensure a future for ‘my’ people. ‘The White Genocide’ is how he refers to his actions; he labels himself as a part-time kebab removalist. Tarrant says he Read more
Lent kick off last week, launching a season of penance and spiritual reflection during which time Catholics the world over immerse themselves in a 40-day period of abstinence and fasting. In our time, some of the most popular luxuries to give up include social media, sweets, electronic devices, and caffeine. Some of the more die-hard Read more
Should we be happy with the conviction of Cardinal Barbarin? Several journalists have asked me. As the author of a book on the Preynat scandal (Histoire d’une silence) who was seeking to understand how the Church managed to remain silent and in denial so long, the answer is undoubtedly, yes. The reason is because the Read more
Carlos had been thinking about migrating to the U.S. since he was a kid. In San Francisco de la Paz, a valley outpost ringed by lush hills in the lawless “Wild East” of Honduras, about the only business that’s booming is home construction — fueled by American dollars sent home each month from migrants living Read more
Six years ago, on March 13, the College of Cardinals surprised the world with the election of the Argentine Jesuit Jorge Bergoglio as pope. Taking the name Francis, he won the admiration and respect of Catholics and non-Catholics alike with his simplicity and concern for the poor and marginalized. With each passing year, however, criticism Read more
Most graduates begin searching for a job. However, armed with her brand new Master of Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland, Emma Lattey (pictured left) joined Mercy Ship and headed to Guinea, West Africa! Two years ago Lattey told colleagues and clients she was leaving the practice, in persuit of further study. Her move Read more