If there is one thing that is certain about the shutdown, it is not only about the wall. There are many levels of discussion in this debate that involve more fundamental issues than just a physical structure. Understanding these issues can make sense out of the present impasse. Of course, there is … Read more
Little remains of the vast edifice of family, community and faith relationships that once unified and anchored the American way of life. These things have not disappeared from the horizon. They are still important, but they have deteriorated. There is no more consensus about what they mean, and they no longer serve … Read more
The new Congress, the shutdown and jittery markets have set the nation on the path of uncertainties. We are faced not with simple misfortunes or a predictable economic downturn. This crisis is somehow different since we face the unknown. It is the cause of great anxiety. It is a bit like running … Read more
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