Pope Francis’ long-awaited encyclical, Laudato Si, was released to the world in its final form last month. Shortly after becoming pope, Francis signaled his intention to release an environmentally-minded encyclical, and the letter has attracted significant media attention for its strong words on the need to protect the environment. This is especially true in the… Read More Laudato Si Addresses Climate Change, Environmental Threats But ‘Integral Ecology’ is the Key

Occasionally, I’ll come across a movie on TV that features Robin Williams in one of his many famous and brilliant roles. I’m a huge fan of so many of his movies (from his family comedies to his more serious pieces), and it’s always great to catch one unexpectedly on a lazy Sunday afternoon. However, now… Read More Suicide and Man’s Search for Meaning

Every week seems to bring a new chapter in the debate over Archbishop Cordileone’s additions to the San Francisco teachers’ handbook. Opponents of the additions argue that the Church should be more inclusive, while supporters affirm that a Catholic archbishop should not be forced to change Church teaching based on prevailing public opinion. This ongoing… Read More Stop Calling the SF Handbook Additions a Morality Clause

Today marks the 500th birthday of St. Teresa of Avila, the saint whose name I took at my confirmation. Teresa is a looming figure in Catholic history. A reformer, writer, and mystic, she was one of the first women to be named a Doctor of the Church, an honor which acknowledges the saint’s important theological… Read More The Way of Perfection: Carmelites in Contemporary Life