The Gospel of Luke includes many parables, including one about a Pharisee and a tax collector. A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral lesson, and a Pharisee was a member of a Jewish sect known for its strict observance of religious
Pope Francis’ documents issued motu proprio (on his own initiative) Tuesday, one for the Latin Church (Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus) and one for the Eastern Churches (Mitis et Misericors Iesus), call for a close reading in order understand the developments of the canonical procedural laws
Beware those who warn the Church of being out of step with the age. Statistics belie their notions. In these past fifty years of the cultural revolution the Church has often been scolded and warned by the most radical proponents of the revolution. We are
China’s anti-Christian campaign must be kept in the public eye and we must implore our politicians to do more It is a commonplace here in the West to believe that our governments routinely and habitually lie to us. I personally would never take this position,
All modern popes have warned against it. Professional philosophers know it’s false. Yet 75% of Americans think “relativism” is true. “Relativism” teaches that nothing is true, good or beautiful for all people, at all times and in all places. There are no moral absolutes. “What’s
The innocence of the “happiest town in the country” shattered by senseless violence Like William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, the town of Lafayette, La., has undergone a transformation. Last year it was voted happiest town in the country. The region, known
Al’s Notes: After Cuban-born Yoel Romero whipped Lyoto Machia Saturday night at UFC Fight Night in Hollywood, Florida, he whooped it up with a call for the United States to remember Jesus. UFC president Dana White, no mouth slouch himself, told Romero: “You just won
David Brooks is the New York Times’ favorite conservative. Occasionally, he shows insights worth trumpeting. More often, I find him frustratingly off point. His advice to Robert George, for instance, is like hearing Howard Cosell tell Muhammad Ali how he ought to punch. However, his
A note from Al: George Weigel puts his finger on one of the most common misunderstandings about government by and for the people. Unfortunately, assuming Cardinal Kasper is quoted accurately, his position represents the most common position among Catholic politicians in the U.S. There are some notable exceptions but
I won’t say much. Anti-Catholicism runs deep in the American soul. Since the Kennedy election and Vatican II and with the leadership of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, it has been largely tamped down. However, listen carefully to what people will say about Laudato
