When you name a thing squarely, it ceases its ability to deceive. It can no longer present itself in your understanding—or that of the public—as anything other than what it truly is. Then, and only then, can one find a genuine solution to any problem caused by that thing. For example, if church leaders were…
Pope Francis Sunday outlined eight points that the Church will focus on in an “all-out battle” against the sexual abuse of minors to, he said, “turn this evil into an opportunity for purification.” “We need to recognize with humility and courage that we stand face to face with the mystery of evil, which strikes most…
The sermon we heard last Sunday was so candid it took our breath away. By the end of Fr. Geoffrey Baraan’s second sentence, the uncomfortable pew twitching at his initial mention of clergy abuse and the recently publicized list of priest predators in the Diocese of Oakland had given way to a stillness so complete…
CNA—Assisted suicide contradicts the foundations of medical ethics, violates the basic standards of medical care, and threatens people who most need the assistance of the medical profession, warned a doctor who is opposing Maryland’s proposal to legalize the practice. “If we allow this form of euthanasia into our health care system, it will inevitably corrode…
“Let not your heart be troubled!” (John 14:1) In the face of growing confusion about the doctrine of the Faith, many bishops, priests, religious and lay people of the Catholic Church have requested that I make a public testimony about the truth of revelation. It is the shepherds’ very own task to guide those entrusted…
CNA—The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Feb. 14 officially proposed to rescind a rule to protect borrowers from predatory lending, prompting concern from Christian groups nationwide that the CFPB may weaken existing protections against loan sharks. Catholic Charities USA and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops joined a coalition of Christian groups to sign…
CNA — Another miracle was officially recognized at the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, the 70th Lourdes miracle recognized by the Catholic Church. The miracle was officially declared by Bishop Jacques Benoit-Gonin of Beauvais, France on Feb. 11, the World Day of the Sick and the feast day of Our Lady…
Happily married for 40 years, a friend of mine from New York says that one of the (several) reasons his marriage has survived when so many others have crashed is a single, simple act of self-discipline. Every payday for more than three decades, he’s brought home six roses for his wife: sometimes three red, sometimes…
Can a one-day conference at a university breathe life into a cause that lately appears to have stalled: involving the Catholic laity in ending the crisis of authority and trust afflicting the Church in the wake of the sex abuse scandal? If not, here’s hoping that at least it points a way out of the…
CNA—In a rare new letter penned by Benedict XVI, the retired pontiff said he is in the last phase of his life, and while his physical strength might be waning, he is surrounded by a “love and goodness” that he never imagined. “I can only say that at the end of a slow decline in…
Record-setting Greg Zuerlein places heaven above the Super Bowl. Last year in the playoffs, placekicker Greg Zuerlein was unable to help the Los Angeles Rams advance out of their wild card game due to injury. This year he has helped his team mightily, making three field goals against the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round…
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico– It is estimated that there are between 17,000 and 20,000 evangelical churches in Venezuela. Speaking directly to these churches and to Venezuelans who have been driven from their home country due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez issues the following statement on behalf of the National Hispanic Christian…
Believe me, it took too long online to find President Trump’s 2019 State of the Union address without any commentary, rebuttal, opinion, or interpretation! (Tell us there’s no doctored Google search algorythm and we won’t believe you!) That said, we found it! Thank you C-SPAN! So, if you missed the President’s State of the Union…
We are frequently questioned or challenged to substantiate the arguments that we have been making about the effect of the Reproductive Health Act. People keep asking us to show them “where in the bill does it say that”? Here is a detailed explanation of how the bill (now the law) does precisely what…
Just days ago Bishop Thomas Daly wrote a clear, concise and thoughtful letter to his diocese regarding politicians who support abortion. It is so refreshing in its clarity that we repost it here in its entirety—as follows: Dear Friends, Each January as the nation commemorates the sad anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, marches…
In light of recent increased legislative decrees promoting abortion without restraint of any kind, such as Governor Cuomo’s new New York State law, embattled Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s cry for no-restrictions abortion even after a child is born, and the increasing intensity of the Culture of Death throughout our health institutions and laws, and echoed…
We are facing a crisis of life, conscience, faith and human dignity on many levels. Much attention is being given to the complex situation on our southern borders and the conflict in opinion about how best to secure our nation under the rule of law. How can the United States be a land open to…
What started as a modest effort to recruit has become a Collector’s item; a review of “The Vatican Cookbook: Presented by the Pontifical Swiss Guards.” My good friend, Andreas Widmer, a former Swiss Guard and now Director of the Entrepreneurship program at the Catholic University of America, provided my first behind-the-curtain glimpse of the Vatican’s…
statement released February 13, 2017 (and worth reprinting)—“The public policy issue of defunding Planned Parenthood was the subject of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations across the country this weekend, including here in the Capital Region. “Without question, Planned Parenthood provides some morally unobjectionable health services to women. However, this statement is not unlike saying that a man…
Fox News and other sources—Bishop Edward B. Scharfenerger of Albany, New York, called out Gov. Andrew Cuomo for citing his Catholic faith and supporting recent legislation that legalizes abortion up until birth. Cuomo (D) signed the Reproductive Health Act on Tuesday, which he called “a historic victory for New Yorkers and for our progressive values.”…
