CNA Columns
Ecclesial communities with a disgraced founder may learn from the Legionaries’ experience of restoration
The burgeoning of new religious movements in the Church of our moment once seemed an unambiguous outpouring of the Holy... Read more
Amoris Laetitia as a whole
Now that the dust stirred by publication of Pope Francis’s new document on marriage has started to settle, it’s time... Read more
Why you should read C.S. Lewis' 'The Great Divorce'
In my capacity as regional bishop of the Santa Barbara pastoral region, which covers two entire counties north of Los... Read more
'Little Boy Lost'
In September 1953, the movie “Little Boy Lost” starring Bing Crosby had its New York premiere to benefit the Overseas... Read more
Vatican conference urges church to abandon 'just war' theory
For the first 300 years of Christianity followers of the nonviolent Jesus – imitating his example – practiced total nonviolence.... Read more
Conscience and the Choice between Heaven and Hell
On April 12, 2016, the Pew Research Center published the results of its survey entitled “Religion in Everyday Life.” The... Read more
Porn and the curse of total sexual freedom
The most recent issue of Time Magazine features a fascinating and deeply troubling article on the prevalence of pornography in our culture. The focus... Read more
The Beauty of Catholic Poetry
April has been set aside as National Poetry Month, and this Saturday marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth.... Read more
Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia: A Challenging Teaching
In his post-synodal exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis has offered the Church a challenge to reflect more deeply on Christ’s... Read more
To vote, or not to vote?
As the presidential primaries wear on, a potentially serious dilemma has begun to take shape for some voters. The question... Read more
"Miracles from Heaven" and the Problem of Theodicy
As any apologist worth his/her salt will tell you, the great objection to the proposition that God exists is the fact of... Read more
'Don’t Go. Stay with Us.'
Most of us have seen war movies in which families are exchanging good-byes with loved ones. The parting evokes few... Read more
Some items that have caught my attention recently
I have more material in my “Viewpoint” drawer than I could ever write columns on. But here are some brief... Read more
Transform the world!
“You are the light of the world.” Don’t take my word for it, that’s Gospel truth from Jesus himself (Mt... Read more
First thoughts on 'Amoris Laetitia'
On a spring day about five years ago, when I was rector of Mundelein Seminary, Francis Cardinal George spoke to... Read more
Prayer of acceptance is a neglected mode of address to God
In his most recent book, Nine Essential Things I’ve Learned About Life, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner (widely known for his... Read more
Compassion vs. the Persecution of Believers
History has the uncanny habit of repeating itself. American writer, historian, and philosopher Will Durant once said, “So the story... Read more
Doubt and Faith
Last week, the New York Times published an article entitled, “God Is a Question, Not an Answer.” Its author William... Read more
The violence of terrorism and religion
The March 22, 2016 brutal bombings in Brussels’ international airport and metro system killed more than 35 innocent people and... Read more
Peter and the Lord’s Resurrection
Reading the Gospel narratives of the Resurrection can be confusing. They break off suddenly and contain contrasts and contradictions that... Read more
