CNA Columns
Catholic Burial Practices: Respecting the Person, Body and Soul
Within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem stands a small shrine called the Aedicule. In its present form,... Read more
Remembering a Man of Peace and Conscience
Catholics can take a lesson in the courage to follow a well-formed Christian conscience from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.... Read more
A King’s Advice to the President
I believe it is no mere coincidence that the U.S. national holiday celebrating the inspiring life of Rev. Martin Luther... Read more
Eyes on the prize
We begin this new year as we do every year, with hopes for a brighter tomorrow. And as we... Read more
Letter to the President-Elect
Dear President-elect Trump: Unsolicited advice is said to be the best kind because it is the most easily ignored. But... Read more
A New Year’s Revolution
Resolutions: there are many this time of year, as in any year. Be it plans to exercise, to be healthy,... Read more
Reflecting on Pope Francis’ 2017 World Day of Peace message
“May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life.” This statement... Read more
Time and Tide: The Challenge of a New Year
In his Historia Anglorum, the 12th century English chronicler Henry of Huntingdon handed down the oft-repeated story of King Canute,... Read more
Scorsese's 'Silence' and the Seaside Martyrs
I have long been an ardent fan of Martin Scorsese’s films. Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Aviator, Gangs of... Read more
O Come, O Come Emmanuel: A Christmas Reflection
The story that we narrate and celebrate at Christmas needs no rehearsal. We know it by heart. The story has... Read more
My Mom’s Christmas Cookies
My mom loved Christmas. Each year it quickened her step and lifted her spirits, creating a lot of activity in... Read more
Bethlehem: Receiving the Bread of Life
Giza built pyramids fit for a king. Athens gloried in the Acropolis envied by the wise. Rome boasted of her... Read more
Longing for Christmas Peace in the Holy Land
During this wonderful time of the year, when Christians throughout the world focus minds and hearts on the coming of... Read more
2016 – A year that saw the Holy See and China building bridges
The latest meeting of Pope Francis' “Council of Cardinals” has just ended and, according to Vatican spokesperson Greg Burke, “missionary... Read more
Christmas Blues
For many people, the season of good cheer is a deeply trying affair. I don’t mean unhappy souls who have... Read more
Father Stanley Francis Rother, Martyr
On Friday, Dec. 2, we received the long awaited news that Pope Francis had declared Father Stanley Rother, Oklahoma priest... Read more
Advent: The School of Patience
The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” The most influential person in the... Read more
Seven bishops, one abbot, and a psychiatrist dialogue with peace activist
During the recent U.S. Catholic bishops’ fall assembly in Baltimore, several bishops and one abbot, gathered with about 25 peace... Read more
Abolishing Columbus Day will advance division and faulty history
Baltimore has spent the last year trying to heal from the wounds of division. But now a divisive proposal threatens... 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
