Check out some of the most relevant articles and news stories for Millennial readers that hit the web over the past couple of weeks.
An awful loss, a beautiful life, a daunting task by Tim Carney (The Examiner)
Tim Carney gleans hope and insight from the tragedy of the death of his 14-month old nephew, who was born with a fatal case of spinal muscular atrophy. Through the daily struggle of his parents trying to keep their baby alive, to the loving support of the community who stepped in to help where they could, to the loving sweet smiles of a baby boy, people were changed to love more, be more virtuous, and to reach a clear understanding of the dignity of life. Quoting the homilist at the funeral, Carney says, “You saw so clearly that John Paul’s life possessed a dignity that was radically equal to that of everybody else. His medical condition was simply the battlefield upon which this young warrior-prince would carry out his campaign.”
The Special Olympics of joy by Michael Gerson (Washington Post)
Michael Gerson comments on his experience watching the Special Olympics, reflecting on the huge improvements in human rights that we’ve seen in the past several decades and how far we still have to go. He says, “But in dealing with struggles we would not envy, children with disabilities and their parents have created a form of community we should honor: one where worth is not contingent on accomplishment, where people strive without fear of failure, and affection is freely given, and some get a few extra shots, and bravery is common.”
Three Global Priorities for Women and Girls by Jim Yong Kim (The Huffington Post)
In anticipation of this Friday’s International Women’s Day, the President of the World Bank Group acknowledges, “In recent decades, the status of women and girls has improved around the world, but much more needs to be done.” He highlights three issues that need to be spotlighted in order for continued progress to be made on improving their status, including ensuring women’s basic freedoms, enforcing laws that punish those who perpetrate violence against women, and focusing on increasing women’s political representation and activity.
Can This Marriage Be Saved? by Mark Shields (Creators.com)
Mark Shields comments on the squabbling in Washington over money and the failure on both sides of the political aisle to try and reach bipartisan agreements that would bring the country together. While Republicans look considerably worse in the polls right now, Democrats are not escaping the frustration, with a 15% drop in favorable ratings since 2009. As Shields notes, “Disappointment and discouragement with Washington is followed by continued loss of confidence in the national government and its ability to be wise in policy, practical in action and prudent with the public purse.”
Dennis Sadowski sets out to review the positive diplomatic relationship between the Vatican and the United States over the past 30 years, noting, “While the Holy See during Pope Benedict’s eight years of service and the U.S. did not always agree on every policy matter (such as abortion, peace in the Holy Land or the Iraq War), both recognized the importance of addressing common concerns to bring about a more just world.” Disagreements on many social issues have been downplayed, while the focus has been on the United States’ unique role as a leading power on matters of global social justice. The author explains, “In areas such as economic development to ease poverty and religious freedom around the world, the U.S. and the Holy See found common ground.”
What we need in a pope by the Editors (Los Angeles Times)
Prominent Catholics speak up to discuss their hopes for a new pope after Benedict’s unexpected resignation – hopes for a courageous, inclusive, transformative, humble, inspirational figure that can unify the Church and be open to dialogue with the laity, clergy, and those of other faiths alike. Some hope for change and some hope for continuity. All hope for a leader that can help bring about the best of the church, which, as respondent Douglas Kmiec notes, means a church that “…inspires within each practicing Catholic a greater understanding of the love and mercy of God.”
Now is a good time to be reading everything that John Allen of NCR writes, especially his profiles of the papabile:
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran
Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga
Cardinal Robert Sarah
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith
Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn
Cardinal Péter Erdõ
Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer
Cardinal Luis Tagle
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri
Cardinal Marc Ouellet
Cardinal Peter Turkson
Cardinal Angelo Scola
Millennial 