The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs… Read More Plain Persons, Popes, and the Benedict Option
Last week, Pope Francis released his first major teaching letter, Laudato si’ (“Praise Be,” invoking the opening lines of St. Francis of Assisi’s canticle, “Brother Sun and Sister Moon”). An encyclical years in the making, it weaves together science and theology, ecology and economics to urge not only Catholics and other Christians, but all members… Read More The Environmental Encyclical is Out – Now What?
When the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case this past Friday, legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation, I was in the midst of a workshop with a group of highly intelligent, dedicated young Catholic teachers. As it has everywhere around the country, this news stirred up considerable conversation. What… Read More Hopes for Justice, Understanding, and Unity in the Wake of Obergefell v. Hodges
All’s well that ends well. At least, that is how the NBA is hoping basketball fans feel after the Golden State Warriors, the best (and most entertaining) team in the league, triumphed over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in this year’s Finals. And with this week’s draft, many NBA fans will be looking to… Read More Why the NBA’s Officiating Crisis Matters
This post by Henry Longbottom, SJ is also featured on The Jesuit Post. A thinly veiled piece of climate alarmist propaganda. A groundbreaking exposition of Catholic ecological thinking. Well intentioned but economically naïve. A slippery slope towards extremist environmentalist positions. Such are the reactions to Pope Francis’ ecology encyclical—and it hasn’t even been published yet.… Read More Six Things to Know About Pope Francis’ Upcoming Encyclical
Neither the Democratic Party nor the Republican Party has a platform or priorities that fully reflect the principles of Catholic social teaching. Money has infected the American political system, threatening the very foundations of representative government. Politicians run polls so they know to avoid words like poverty and social justice, which don’t win votes. Major… Read More Politics Sucks, But Don’t Check Out
I still remember the first time I watched the movie “Romero.” It opened my eyes to the realities of people living in conditions I could hardly imagine, growing up in the Midwest. I was moved by Romero’s compassion for his fellow Salvadorans, inspired by his faith, and awed by his courage in speaking out against… Read More Oscar Romero: More Than a Saint
Millennial 