Catholics have long extended the benefit of the doubt to Pope Francis when he frequently veers off the path of orthodoxy. With his latest statement regarding same-sex civil unions, there are no benefits in entertaining doubts. Many Catholics sense something is terribly wrong. “What we have to create is a civil union … Read more
In our secularized age, direct satanic hatred against religion is not frequently manifested. Hatred of God is usually disguised as cold secularism or pretentious indifference. Such attitudes seem to be more in keeping with postmodernity. Thus, I never thought I would see an eruption of incendiary hatred of God, like the incidents … Read more
In September 2018, the Vatican and Communist China signed a landmark agreement in which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) agreed to recognize the Catholic Church as a legal entity in China. In exchange, the Vatican conceded to the CCP the power to appoint bishops over which the Vatican retains the right of … Read more
Church teaching is unambiguous: Abortion is always immoral and cannot be supported. Ahead of the November elections, numerous bishops have issued statements to remind Catholics of their duty to vote according to the Church’s moral teachings. All Catholics should practice their Faith in private as well as in public. There is a … Read more
Reflecting on America’s present state, I could not help but think of a metaphor that I had used some years ago in my book, Return to Order. I had likened the economy to that of a cruise ship on a never-ending cruise. On its multiple decks, the bands were playing, the theaters … Read more
Pope Francis’s third encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, predictably deals with the plight of the migrant. This theme has characterized his pontificate, as he never loses an opportunity to take it up. Not all share his enthusiasm; most are apprehensive about what it means for the future. Mass migration is a sensitive subject for … Read more
Everyone knows the Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings are not about Amy Coney Barrett, her qualifications or the Constitution. Of course, everyone goes through the theatrics of what the hearings are supposed to be. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s liberal members will dutifully cast themselves as the Constitution’s guardians. They will dramatically insist … Read more
Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti presents a dilemma for all who defend the right of private property. On the one hand, the teaching document Pope Francis signed on October 3 questions this right. On the other, past popes, theologians, and canonists have always taught that private ownership, as it is largely practiced, … Read more
For those who have fought in the trenches against Roe v. Wade for decades, it is surprising to see a little white flag poking up on the horizon. So much has been poured into the herculean effort to take that bloody hill—prayers, sacrifice, one on one counseling to dissuade those seeking an … Read more
In his book about natural law, Prof. J. Budziszewski explains how this fundamental law is written on the hearts of everyone without exception. Indeed, natural law is so evident that he claims it is “what you can’t not know.” Hence, the title of his book. Everyone-at all times and places-knows that lying, stealing … Read more