Michael Gerson writes: During last week’s budget negotiations, and as America prepared for the full-scale arrival of the omicron coronavirus variant, every present Senate Republican voted to “defund” the federal vaccine mandate on businesses, the military and the federal workforce. This indicated a political party now so intimidated by its liberty caucus that senators such… Read More The Consistent Ethic of Death Within the Republican Party

via CNS: The beatitudes were created by Italian Archbishop Mimmo Battaglia of Naples, who was dubbed “Bergoglio of the South” while he was a bishop of another southern Italian diocese and continued his work as a “street priest,” especially in aiding those with drug dependencies. The archbishop, 58, presented the beatitudes during a homily ordaining three new… Read More 8 Beatitudes for Bishops to be Good Shepherds

via the Vatican: Baptism makes each one of us a full-fledged member of the Church community, so that all of us, without exclusion or discrimination, can say: “I am Church!” The Church is truly your home! We, all of us together, are Church, because Jesus chose to be our friend. The Church – and this… Read More Pope Francis: Every Baptized Person Can Say They Are The Church

via the Washington Post: Fred Hiatt, who edited these pages for nearly 22 years before his death on Monday at the age of 66, was a consummate journalist: a dogged reporter, a brilliant editor, a graceful writer. He will be remembered by us above all for his human qualities. Mr. Hiatt — to everyone at… Read More Fred Hiatt (1955-2021)

Pope Francis to young people: When we embrace the new life bestowed on us in baptism, the Lord gives us an important and life-changing mission: “You are to be my witness!” Today Christ speaks to you the same words that he spoke to Paul: Arise! Do not remain downcast or caught up in yourself: a… Read More Pope Francis: Protect the Persecuted, the Poor, and the Vulnerable

Marcus Mescher writes: Pope Francis’ call to build a “culture of encounter” is not just an invitation to bring people together across differences in the spirit of mercy, solidarity, and hope; it is also how disciples emulate Jesus Christ’s teaching and healing ministry by practicing inclusive outreach, engaging in mutually respectful exchange, and opening up new… Read More We Need a ‘Culture of Belonging’