CNA Columns
Looking Forward to Religious Freedom Week
The plight of persecuted Christians in the Middle East is shocking to American sensibilities. Because we are only occasionally reminded... Read more
Anti-Catholic prejudice: a warning and challenge to all
Alfred E. Smith, a devout Catholic, was elected four times as governor of New York. However, the announcement of his... Read more
Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One at 70
Just 70 years ago this month a slender novel bearing the innocuous title The Loved One made its appearance in... Read more
Watching a Father's Day movie with the kids: “The Incredibles 2”
Sorry it has been a while since my last review. Believe it or not, it is really hard to go... Read more
New men for this new moment
This weekend I will ordain nine fine men to the priesthood. For these past eight years, God has been blessing... Read more
Evangelization means the renewal of Catholic institutions
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been committed since Vatican II to a new and vigorous program of evangelization.... Read more
Justice Kennedy and the Supreme Court
Rumors have been flying around Washington that Justice Anthony Kennedy will announce his retirement from the Supreme Court shortly after... Read more
Movie review: “Pope Francis – A Man of his Word”
Renewed interest in Catholicism from the most surprising places in America, New York City and Hollywood, signals that a seemingly... Read more
Recovering the notion of original sin
One of the topics that catechists preparing parents for the baptism of their child must explain is the notion of... Read more
Political engagement and the Holy Spirit
Since 2010, world leaders, movie stars, CEOs, artists, and political activists have been meeting annually in New York for the... Read more
The speaker and the chaplain
Barring further developments (and let’s hope that there aren’t any), the kerfuffle over the Catholic chaplain of the House of... Read more
Pope Francis: proselytism vs evangelization
In 2013, Hallmark sparked a controversy by changing a single word in a Christmas song. Ever since 1877, the traditional... Read more
Evangelicals and the first amendment
According to reports, evangelical leaders are planning a gathering that will bring a thousand pastors to Washington later this spring... Read more
“Spirituality” without “religion” does not hold up
One hears on a regular basis these days that people are “spiritual but not religious” – thus giving up on... Read more
Music at liturgy: full expression of faith
In a recent U.S. Catholic survey, eighty percent of those questioned said that music at Mass was very important to... Read more
All are called to holiness, even lawyers
Pope Francis last week issued a short letter about holiness. On the Call to Holiness in Today's World offers important... Read more
The way of love in a beautiful forest
About two hours ago, after 33 days of preparation, my wife and I completed a consecration to Divine Mercy. ... Read more
Viri probati
The news that Pope Francis has set in motion the planning for a synod of bishops of the Amazon region... Read more
The certainty of doubt
In 1859, Darwin published On the Origin of Species. His book brought into the open a conflict between science and... Read more
Williamson debate should remind us: 'thou shalt not kill'
The recent outrage against Kevin Williamson’s conclusion that abortion should be treated as homicide, even if murder leads to execution,... Read more
