For many theologians, the death of Nelson Mandela – who has been a living symbol of peace, justice, and reconciliation – invites reflection on core theological concepts like the imago Dei, which Mandela wore with profound beauty and dignity. For my part, I was first exposed to Nelson Mandela and to South African history during… Read More Inspired by Nelson Mandela
I found myself stuck in the middle seat on a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., laptop open, entranced, reading through Pope Francis’ most recent letter (apostolic exhortation), “The Joy of the Gospel”. As I read the letter, sitting in this uncomfortable seat in the sky, I found myself struck, paragraph by paragraph, by… Read More The Danger of Pope Francis
The little boy who “stole the show” from Pope Francis during his address to families in Vatican Square a little over a week ago has become a worldwide sensation. The child somehow managed to get on stage and wandered right up to the Holy Father during the ceremonies. Despite multiple efforts by aides to shoo… Read More The Audacity of a Child of God
Having just wrapped up my thirtieth year ex utero, I’m feeling remarkably wise and mature–or at least blessed to follow a God who teaches me the same lesson over and over and over until I mostly get it. I’m not who I should be, but (praise God!) I’m not who I was. Here are the… Read More 30 Lessons from My First 30 Years
The Bishops Take a Stand Left-leaning Catholics are used to being disappointed: disappointed by the Republican Party, for its apparent indifference to the economic travails of the working class; disappointed by the Democratic Party, for its slow but steady drift away from a big tent approach and toward the same with-us-or-against-us culture war mentality on… Read More The Bishops: Right on Immigration, Wrong on Immigration Reform
Dear “conservative” Catholics, First, I regret using the word “conservative” to describe you. Up until this point in my life, I have refused to use terms like “conservative” or “liberal” that unfairly place Catholics into boxes and create divisions. But I am now finding it necessary for what I need to say. Let me admit… Read More Letter to a “Conservative” Catholic
Bishop Paul Swain of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD is out of step with the official stated position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which affirms that “health care is a basic right flowing from the sanctity and dignity of human life.” In the battle over Medicaid expansion, Bishop Swain chooses to remain… Read More All Catholic Bishops Must Act on Medicaid Expansion
Millennial 