Often we hear some Catholics speak of other Catholics as cafeteria Catholics. This is often a subtle criticism of those who appear to pick and choose from the cafeteria food booth what they want, leaving behind the distasteful or uninviting parts of the menu. The term gives the impression of a person not serious about Read more
At issue in one of this year’s most highly anticipated Supreme Court cases, 303 Creative v. Elenis, was what happens when someone’s free speech or beliefs conflict with others’ rights. Specifically, 303 Creative addressed whether a Colorado anti-discrimination law can require a designer who believes marriage is only between a man and a woman to Read more
Carrie Rowell still misses the 7 a.m. phone calls from her father, who died six years ago. He would use her nickname, “Toots,” or ask, “Hey, babe, how’s your morning going?” “I would give anything to hear that again,” Rowell said. But interacting with a version of a departed loved one is now more accessible Read more
Nearly two years into the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis’ global effort to listen to what Catholics think about their church, most American Catholics still find it unintelligible, from its seemingly circular name to its goals and methodology. If an American were in charge of running the pope’s synod, it would be very different. Americans Read more
The next liturgical season is Advent! In the wake of the streak of feasts of Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Body & Blood of Christ behind us, we’re now in what is called Ordinary time. It is a unique time to give ourselves permission to be seduced more deeply and intimately into the mystery Read more
A recent Vatican decision to not allow a progressive theologian to become the dean of a theological university in Italy highlights the fractures within the Catholic Church over sexual morality while also hinting at divisions inside the Vatican itself. The Rev. Martin Lintner was selected by its faculty to become dean of the prestigious Theological Read more
If you think the events in Sudan right now are an emergency without warning, think again. The current conflict is instead an acute symptom of a crisis that has plagued the country for decades. The people of Sudan have been suffering for far too long from political turmoil and economic instability. The escalating humanitarian needs Read more
What do Cardinal Gerhard Müller and the Reverend James Martin SJ have in common? They are both members of the Roman Catholic clergy who tend to be polarising figures in the Church. The first is a hero of traditionalists, while the second is a champion of those who want reform. And now the German cardinal Read more
It was a crowded church in Singapore, and a young priest was talking about a recent first communion. A little girl had run back to her parents, shouting, “I just ate Jesus!” Later, the child asked her mother, “How does Jesus get from our stomach to our heart?” The mother replied, “Jesus can do anything.” Read more
Burnt-out cars in the Northern suburbs of Paris, Sarcelles . . . “Throughout the past 40 years in France, urban revolts have been dominated by the rage of young people who attack the symbols of order and the state: town halls, social centres, schools, and shops.” Although they never fail to take us aback, French Read more