Articles by Father Thomas Berg
Committed Catholics in the Age of Obama
Jan 20, 2009 / 00:00 amThis week in America -- historic to be sure -- recalls, amidst so many other elements, the cultural phenomenon of marches. "If you march long enough, you're bound to get somewhere," observed a reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle, referring to the countless civil rights marches that played an undeniable role in catalyzing the social change that this week culminates in the swearing in of the first African-American President of the United States.
Friend, Leader, and Man for our Seasons
Jan 13, 2009 / 00:00 amRichard John Neuhaus, who passed away last Thursday, has left a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. As his close friend and associate at the journal First Things Jody Bottum deftly observed, his sudden departure at the age of 72 also leaves "a gaping hole in the public square."'The public square': if today this is such a familiar term in Anglo parlance, it is to be largely attributed to Neuhaus's intellectual caliber and acumen, and to his enormously influential 1984 best-seller The Naked Public Square. Here Neuhaus explored the simple premise that "the [U.S. Constitution's] no-establishment provision of the first freedom of the First Amendment is entirely in the service of the free exercise provision." In other words: our Constitutional commitment to refrain from establishing an official state religion was set in place precisely to protect the free exercise of religion--in the public square.We are likely only beginning to understand the impact that Neuhaus has had on the Church and American culture, as arguably the leading pro-life, conservative public intellectual of the past three decades. As his close friend and papal biographer George Weigel puts it:
"God saw… And behold, it was very good."
Jan 6, 2009 / 00:00 amThis is part six of my reflections on Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger's book, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures. If you missed the earlier columns, here are the links: part one; part two; part three; part four; part five.
Protecting Conscience in Healthcare
Dec 9, 2008 / 00:00 amWhen you need a new law to enforce and give teeth to already existing laws, you know you've got a problem.
Digitalized Decadence
Dec 2, 2008 / 00:00 amThis year, our Thanksgiving was interrupted by unsettling blips on our (plasma) screens, Blackberries or smartphones:
Will Obama's Policies Reduce Abortions in America?
Nov 25, 2008 / 00:00 am52% of Catholics -- the vast majority of whom would identify themselves as "pro-life" -- voted on November 4, 2008 for the man who will almost certainly become the most pro-abortion President in American history.
To Live "as if God Existed"
Nov 11, 2008 / 00:00 amPart five of Fr. Berg's reflection on Pope Benedict XVI - Joseph Ratzinger's book, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures
Joe the Embryo
Nov 4, 2008 / 00:00 amSamuel J. Wurzelbacher -- alias Joe the Plumber -- has put up with a lot since he was thrust into the limelight in mid October. Ultimately, he was submitted to cyberspace death by a thousand MSM incisions into his private life. Consequently, the entire universe has gotten to know Mr. Wurzelbacher rather well. I can only sympathize with him and wish him all the best.
Expect Obama to Sign FOCA in the First 100 Days
Oct 28, 2008 / 00:00 amThe pundits are beginning to ponder in earnest what might transpire during the first 24 months of an Obama administration. The more obvious contentions foresee him raising taxes on high earners, ratcheting up trade protections, overseeing the retooling of financial regulations, and so on. What many seem to have overlooked is one factoid: Barack Obama is an enthusiastic supporter of the Freedom of Choice Act or FOCA. In fact, on July 17, 2007, he told the Planned Parenthood Action Fund: "The first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom Of Choice Act."
Part four of Fr. Berg's reflection on Pope Benedict XVI - Joseph Ratzinger's book, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures
Oct 21, 2008 / 00:00 amThis is part four of my reflections on Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger's book, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures. If you missed the earlier columns, part one is here, part two is here, part three is here.
The Most Important Issue - Revisited
Oct 14, 2008 / 00:00 amMy column from last week, and an accompanying op-ed published in National Review Online (October 8, "Economy Matters, Life Matters") seem to have struck a nerve. I attempted (in under a thousand words) to explain from a Catholic perspective (which is to say, a natural law perspective), why the abortion issue should still be considered the dominant issue of our times on the eve of Election Day.
So What's the Most Important Issue?
Oct 7, 2008 / 00:00 amWe are currently attempting the most expensive bailout of our economy in American history. And even if it works, we know the bailout is no silver bullet.
Abortion Changes You
Sep 30, 2008 / 00:00 amLast Monday evening I was able to verify once again that there are disasters far more devastating than the Wall Street type, and that there are also more important recoveries. There is, in fact, genuine hope out there and "change we can believe in" -- especially the kind that happens one person, and one heart at a time.
An Advocate for All of Us
Sep 23, 2008 / 00:00 amBy now most of us have gotten to know something about Trig - Trig Palin, that is, son of Sarah Palin the Republican V.P. candidate, a child born with Down syndrome, received enthusiastically into the heart of the Palin family, and a stumbling block to those who believe Down syndrome babies, when detected early in pregnancy, should be aborted.
Catholics, Human Life and the Vote
Sep 16, 2008 / 00:00 amIs the right to life still a fundamental right?
Seventh Anniversary: 9/11 and the Current State of Jihadism
Sep 9, 2008 / 00:00 amLast Thursday I had lunch with a man I much admire and am honored to call a friend. Bret Stephens is a member of the Wall Street Journal editorial board, he writes the Journal's "Global View", which runs every Tuesday, and he is one of the sharpest thinkers I know on foreign affairs. (In fact, I would especially encourage you to read his column today, entitled "Democratization and Its Discontents.") Bret's column of two years ago on Pope Benedict's speech at Regensburg ("Pope Provocateur" WSJ, September 19, 2006) remains one of the finest analyses of the speech ever penned. I couldn't help asking Bret if he could interrupt his duties at the Journal to become the centerpiece of my column this week. He cordially acquiesced, and here is the fruit of an email interview that ensued over the weekend. As we approach the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attack, Bret has once again put his keen insightfulness on display.
Stem Cell News We Can't Afford to Miss
Sep 2, 2008 / 00:00 amBuried under news of Phelps's eight gold medals, Russia's renewal of the Cold War, Sarah Palin's charming debut, and Gustav's perilous approach to New Orleans, there was actually some very important stem cell news at the end of August.
Part three of Fr. Berg's reflection on Pope Benedict XVI - Joseph Ratzinger's book, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures
Aug 25, 2008 / 00:00 amThis is part three of my reflections on Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger's book, Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures. If you missed the earlier columns, part one is here, and part two is here.