Leftist and progressive forces always present themselves as the wave of the future. Indeed, Marxism’s Hegelian roots postulate history as a process of clashing classes inevitably evolving forward. The Catholic left likewise frames its liberation theology and similar programs in these terms. Marxist theory is very clear about the forward pace of … Read more
Having lost L’Univers and proving unable to publish another newspaper in Belgium, Louis Veuillot faced a very gloomy prospect. His family’s livelihood depended on the newspaper. Its suppression threatened them with poverty. He received many job offers. Some were tempting. Nonetheless, he refused them all so he would be free to pursue … Read more
On October 29-30, 1840, a remarkable debate took place in New York City. On one side were the representatives of the Public School Society—the predecessor of the current New York City Public School Board. On the other side was Bishop John Hughes, a great lion of American Catholicism. The most striking element … Read more
Since China has problems producing cutting-edge technology, it must find other means. One resource is contracting American universities to do research and development, which then allows it to compete with the U.S. in the marketplace. This aggressive tactic has not endeared the Chinese to American politicians or businessmen. Such work with universities … Read more
Pope Pius IX once said, “Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” Saint Louis de Montfort preached, “Public prayer is far more powerful than private prayer…Holy Mother Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has always advocated public prayer in times of public tragedy and suffering.” On … Read more
California’s “Racial Justice Act” threatens to turn the very idea of justice on its head. The Act is a product of the overheated summer of 2020, an indirect result of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis the previous May. Self-Congratulation When he signed the Act, Governor Gavin Newsome’s celebratory press release contained a … Read more
A recent article from the Associated Press quotes United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell, declaring that humans have just two years left to “save the world.” In his speech, he called for cutting fossil fuels and a “quantum leap” in climate funding. The article highlights the scaremongering of ecological extremism that makes … Read more
“Gambling has an almost uniquely corrupting influence on governments…” That arresting line introduced a recent article from The Dispatch. It pointed out that many governments “count on gambling to produce a fairly reliable stream of revenue.” An Atmosphere of Attractive Risks Evidence of state-sponsored and tolerated gambling is everywhere. Among the fifty … Read more
The publication of Pope Pius IX’s Syllabus of Errors upset all governments and provoked incidents in many places. Some incidents were trivial; others were extremely serious. All of them revealed the hatred of the revolutionaries. In Naples and Palermo, they burned copies of the document in the public square. However, demonstrations of … Read more
On May 6, the Vatican was host to the annual spectacle of the swearing-in ceremony for the Swiss Guards, with 34 new recipients making their solemn promise to serve and protect the Pope and cardinals, even to the point of laying down their lives. “I swear to serve faithfully, loyally and honorably … Read more