Finally, there appears an issue that our divided church can agree on. Catholics of all stripes—conservatives and liberals and in-betweens—are declaring a pox on clericalism. From Pope Francis to the back pew widow, from seminary rectors to lay ecclesial ministers, it’s agreed that clericalism is crippling the pastoral mission of the church. At the same Read more
Pope Francis last month attracted international attention with the release of his environmental encyclical, in which he described climate change as “a global problem with grave implications” that needs to be urgently addressed. Particular attention was placed on the failings of political leaders and the importance of people changing their lifestyles, making sacrifices to help Read more
Observant New Zealanders, who have noticed the number of children with poverty-related skin diseases soaring while gated communities proliferate, may be surprised to hear a think-tank claim that New Zealand has ‘no problem of rising inequality’. That surprise would be justified, since the gap between rich and poor has in fact widened dramatically. And the Read more
While Pope Francis’ new encyclical Laudato Si’ is enjoying wide publicity, few people are aware this year marks the 20th anniversary of another powerfully prophetic social justice and peace encyclical: Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life”). Trying to awaken the conscience of the world to reject the “culture of death” which creates “structures of sin,” Read more
The criticisms of Pope Francis’ economic vision have been harsh and unrelenting: National Review says “Laudato No,” Maureen Mullarkey in The Federalist called it “An Extravagant Rant” and David Brooks in The New York Times echoes their basic premise: The growth that lifted so many from poverty in the past century would not have happened Read more
In the battle to win hearts and minds to the cause of life, it is sometimes necessary to speak in non-religious terms. This is certainly possible and effective. For example, medical science and biology can help us defend the lives of unborn children and argue persuasively for an end to abortion. An unborn child is alive. An unborn Read more
In the days just before its publication, those involved in drafting the pope’s controversial eco-encyclical Laudato Si’ were much exercised about how it would be received by conservative critics. But Pope Francis, Vatican insiders tell me, was unfazed. He remains so in the face of the onslaught of criticism that has indeed ensued. The pope’s Read more
There is something eerily symmetrical about the decision by the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, to call a referendum about what he has described as the ‘extortionate ultimatum’ of ‘strict and humiliating austerity without end’ coming from the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and the European Central Bank – the troika. The country that is Read more
Back in the mid-1980s, I was working as a director of religious education at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in western Maryland. That part of Maryland, like parts of 12 other U.S. eastern states – from Alabama to New York, and all of West Virginia – is part of the Appalachian Mountain region. In those days, Read more
The unvarnished truths of the Gospel, compellingly written and lovingly interpreted, make Laudato Si’ an unforgettable document. I began reading it, fascinated as to what Pope Francis would make of the science and politics of climate change. I continued simply overwhelmed by the direct evangelical call to action, personal and collective. The encyclical is no Read more