Several days ago, a jury of twelve people sentenced Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death for his role in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Reactions to the sentence have varied. As one would expect, some are satisfied, even relieved, by the jury’s decision. Liz Norden, whose sons Paul and J. P. both lost legs in the explosions,… Read More The Case of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: On Preventing and Perpetuating Death

“Only two things are certain in this life,” said Benjamin Franklin—“death and taxes.” And when this time of year rolls around, there are plenty of people who begin to wonder if they wouldn’t prefer the former to the latter. The headaches begin with organizing all the necessary forms, records, and paperwork. Then comes the aggravation… Read More A Reason to Look at Taxes Differently This Year

For decades students and visitors who ascended to the 13th floor of the Hesburgh Library at Notre Dame would find a scene seemingly as constant as the library itself. Emerging from the elevator and passing straight ahead through the stacks, they would come to a glass door. Stepping inside, they would be warmly greeted by… Read More How We Can All Live Like Fr. Ted: Remembering Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC

Two weekends (and two blizzards) ago, famed Catholic theologian Elizabeth Johnson, C.S.J., delivered a presentation for the Boston College Lumen et Vita Conference entitled “Christ and the Pelican Chick: A Hope Renewed?” Johnson’s image of the pelican chick was a provocative one. In her presentation, she explained that pelicans typically give birth to multiple chicks… Read More The Tragic Case of the Pelican Chick: Nature’s Cruelty and God’s Compassion