Like paper, print, steel and the wheel, computer-generated artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology that can bend how we work, play and love. It is already doing so in ways we can and cannot perceive. As Facebook, Apple and Google pour billions into A.I. development, there is a fledgling branch of academic ethical study—influenced by Read more
The Government’s proposed speech-banning legislation was highly problematic, so it is welcome news that it has been dropped. But the Government has not had the good sense to dump it completely. There are worrying signs that the muddle might yet be disinterred and a resurrection attempt made. The Greens have expressed disappointment, and the matter Read more
I came of age in the 1960s. It was an era of civil unrest, race riots, anti-war protests, and the sexual revolution. One of the popular bumper stickers at the time stated: Question Everything. These societal events coincided with the sessions of the Second Vatican Council and its early implementation. The council brought beautiful and Read more
As the Church’s global “synod on synodality” continues, groups of bishops and laity are now staging continental-level discussions of the “Working Document for the Continental Stage,” a synthesis document created by a Vatican-appointed working group. The continental stage’s working document – published by the Vatican in October – is meant to be a summary and Read more
Over the weekend, I read the almost 900-page report of the Investigation which L’Arche had mandated to investigate the allegations of abuse of Jean Vanier and Thomas Philippe. I am impressed by the courage of L’Arche International in mandating this report and in the expertise, and thorough investigation carried out by the people who made Read more
Waitangi Day again raises the question about what Te Tiriti o Waitangi means. As the late Moana Jackson commented, the meaning of Te Tiriti will be talked about in each generation because it is about a relationship between Māori and Pākehā and relationships must always be worked on. Here, we focus on the learning of Read more
It’s hard to forget the evening of March 2013 when the “new pope” — Franciscus — appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica just after being elected Bishop of Rome. After a few brief words in Italian, he was about to bless the massive crowd in the square below. But he paused and surprised Read more
What paths is the church being called to take in the coming decades? While the synodal process already underway has just begun to reveal some of these paths, the dialogues that have taken place identify a series of challenges that the people of God must face if we are to reflect the identity of a Read more
Keep the lines of communication open, and buy gold. Those are the two things and the only things my husband and I learned in our marriage preparation classes 25 years ago. It’s hard to say which bit of advice was less helpful. We already knew communication was important, but what we really needed was practice. Read more
“Commentators of every school, if for different reasons, with the possible exception of Father Spadaro SJ, agree that this pontificate is a disaster in many or most respects; a catastrophe.” Thus spake George Pell. The Australian cardinal, who died of a heart attack on January 10, has been described by friends and admirers as a Read more