On my last night in Iraq and amidst the terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Beirut, and Paris, I joined other Christians in praying to Mary for peace. My time in the birthplace of civilization has given me a strong belief of how faith lived in the existential peripheries of the world can transform society. Despite their… Read More Hope and Prayer as I Depart from Iraq
Our prayers go out to the people of Paris in the wake of today’s horrific terrorist attacks, particularly the victims and their loved ones. We pray for all people who are victims of terrorism and mass murder and for all the refugees around the world who are fleeing similarly evil acts of brutality and savagery.… Read More Heavy Hearts and Prayers in the Wake of the Paris Attacks
Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga of Honduras, a key advisor to Pope Francis and chair of his Council of Cardinals, recently spoke at Pope Francis’ Environmental Encyclical: Protecting the Planet and the Poor, an event cosponsored by the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, Georgetown Law Center’s Environmental Law Program and Climate Change… Read More The Climate Cardinal: Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez
“I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” Jesus tells us this is one of the top criteria that God will use to judge our lives. If Jesus is right, Fr. Yanis is a saint. After Syrians and Iraqis were kicked out of their homes by ISIS, this desert monk opened his monastery on the… Read More A desert saint on the border of Iraq and Iran
Last week, Yale University released a study, The Francis Effect: How Pope Francis Changed the Conversation About Global Warming. The report aims to measure the impact of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, released in June. The media buzz surrounding this document produced more than 3,000 news stories, and parishes organized hundreds of reflection and discussion… Read More Is The ‘Francis Effect’ Overcoming American Indifference to Climate Change?
Pope Francis: “In spite of injustices and sufferings, the Lord’s victory is certain.”
Last week, the National Catholic Reporter ran a story about the upcoming elections for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The author of the story paints a picture of the elections as presenting a choice between “Francis bishops” and bishops who might be seen as being more at odds with the pastoral inclinations and priorities… Read More Confusion Within the Church: Satan’s Work or God’s?
