Fifty years ago today, Pope John XXIII proclaimed that the Church is a “Church of all and in particular the Church of the poor.” This statement, from a radio address one month before the opening of Vatican II, was further developed in a number of council documents that articulated the nature and mission of the… Read More Fifty Years Later, Are We Still the Church of the Poor?
There are truly saints and blesseds among us. Today, I remember Father Mycal Judge, the venerable Franciscan and chaplain to the FDNY, who was the first recorded death during the September 11 terrorist attacks. The scene of the firefighters carrying his deceased body from the rummage is one of the most memorable images of September… Read More September 11 Saint: Franciscan Father Mycal Judge
Did you notice anything missing from the national conventions these past two weeks? It seems that among all the major speeches a major tenant of Catholic social teaching was noticeably missing: being good stewards of God’s earth. In fact, the effects of global climate change have hardly been mentioned at all during this nearly year-and-a-half race for the… Read More Catholics to Obama and Romney: Heed Pope Benedict’s Call, Address Climate Change
The Philadelphia Inquirer announced this week that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia would be selling a historic property that has been housing the presiding cardinal or archbishop since 1935. The sixteen room mansion is valued at $10 million and sits on nearly nine picturesque acres near the edge of the city. It is presumed that in times past, immigrant… Read More Chaput Makes Right Move, Sells Archdiocese’s $10 Million Mansion
In light of the recent idiocy spewed by Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin, arguing that victims of “legitimate” rape have superhuman contraceptive powers, I expected the Democratic Party to take some shots, spotlight the insanity, spend a few days with a bullhorn condemning his stance – and then move on. However, it seems like Obama’s campaign may… Read More Democrats Out of Touch on Abortion, Hurt Election Chances
Last night, when Sister Simone Campbell, the Executive Director of the Roman Catholic Social Justice Organization NETWORK and one of the “nuns on the bus,” addressed the delegates and the American people at the Democratic National Convention, she outlined the sharp contrast that exists between the proposals outlined by Mitt Romney and his running mate… Read More Nun on the Bus: “We Are Better Than That”
Yesterday, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini–the former Archbishop of Milan–was laid to rest in the city’s venerable cathedral. Before his funeral Mass began, over 150,000 pilgrims prayerfully visited his remains. His effect on the life of the Church, especially on the lives of young people of faith has been noted by Robert Christian. In many ways,… Read More A Saint’s Funeral, a Papal Blessing and a Bold Question
