For years, Russia has backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s campaign of mass murder in Syria. Now, following its unjust invasion of Ukraine, Russia is directly participating in Assad’s attempt to reestablish his control through mass atrocities. Russia has used the existence of ISIS as a pretext for intervention, while often bombing mainstream rebels—an approach that… Read More Russia’s War Crimes in Syria

Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston delivered an outstanding message on joy, community, and solidarity this Christmas, encouraging us to pursue these and leave behind the selfishness, materialism, and hedonism of an extreme individualism that is truly poisonous: “Christmas is about joy; so often, people do not know the difference between being happy, and having fun.… Read More Cardinal Seán: Christmas Joy is About Solidarity, Rejecting Ayn Rand Extreme Individualism

During mass on Sunday, as I sat, stood, and kneeled in a stuffy balcony juggling my kids with my wife, I thought about those Christians whose concerns are far graver: those who are displaced from their homes this Advent and those who face religious persecution. It is easy to take for granted the simple ability… Read More The Powerful Witness of Displaced and Persecuted Christians

While this political season has stirred up some of the more troubling elements in American culture, a remarkable story about a little girl who has experienced great tragedy and was simply hoping to receive a few Christmas cards has illuminated the best impulses in our society: In 2013, Sa’fyre Terry lost her father and three… Read More Girl Who Lost Family in Fire Receives 300,000 Christmas Cards

In general, hardcore partisans root for their party’s presidential candidate to face the weakest possible candidate from the opposing party. But for those who put the country and the common good first, it is far safer to have the two strongest candidates from each party square off, just in case one’s preferred candidate loses. Yet… Read More Would a Ted Cruz Primary Win Be Good for the Country?

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Gaudium et spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, a key document from Vatican II. It is a truly extraordinary document, offering wisdom on a wide-range of subjects. Rereading this week, I was struck by the unity of Catholic moral and… Read More From Gaudium et spes to Pope Francis: The Unity of Church Teaching on Human Life and Dignity