In a speech to a delegation of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, on December 17, 2018, Pope Francis denied the moral licitness of the death penalty by stating that it “is always inadmissible,” “contrary to the Gospel,” and “deeply injurious to human dignity.” Francis’s declaration could not be blunter: If … Read more
The United States has had a long and tempestuous relationship with communist Cuba. After communist dictator Fidel Castro seized American assets in Cuba, President John Kennedy announced an economic, political and commercial embargo on the island in 1962. In this way, America showed its rejection for the regime that has not stopped … Read more
I was recently asked for advice about investment strategies for the coming times. It is a reasonable request since we as Christians need to plan for the future responsibly. It makes sense to look at all the options whether they be stocks, bonds, commodities or other assets. If there is going to … Read more
In his book, Pope Francis’s “Paradigm Shift”: Continuity or Rupture in the Mission of the Church? An Assessment of His Pontificate’s First Five Years, José Antonio Ureta discusses reasons why faithful Catholics need to be concerned about where Pope Francis is taking the Church. The fourth chapter of the book looks at … Read more
January 1, 1959, was a big day in Havana. President Fulgencio Batista had been overthrown the night before. The victorious rebels under Fidel Castro marched through the streets. Joyful crowds surrounded the marchers. Unfortunately, they could not foresee the misery that would visit them in the future. Communism Comes to Cuba However, … Read more
Looking back over 2018, three recent events in three different countries illustrate just how far the fortunes of climate change politics have fallen. The first event was the death of George H. W. Bush, forty-first president of the United States. His passing on November 30 at the age of 94 occasioned an … Read more
We live in what might be called a prodigal son delusion. People suffer from the temptation to live prodigal lifestyles in which they engage in the frenetic intemperance of demanding everything instantly and effortlessly. Such a state promises happiness to those who follow the program to the end. However, it does not … Read more
Identity politics requires each constituent group to be politically unified. In this way, activists can claim to speak in the name of a given oppressed identity group. Feminism has always had a problem with this unity. The woman’s movement claims to represent all oppressed women everywhere. However, Christians, pro-life women, homeschooling mothers … Read more
Imagine a faraway country which, due to various circumstances, had remained entirely Catholic: The Church is united to the State, and the law protects religious dogmas from blasphemy. Imagine further that in that country, ten years ago, a peasant woman who professed a different religion, was working in the field along with … Read more
As three human caravans snake their way through Mexico, two different visions of America emerge. The first vision can be represented by several metaphors that reflect a materialistic, mechanical mindset. Thus, some see America as a giant shareholding company in which immigrants, legal or otherwise, are seen from a purely economic perspective of … Read more