Accompanying Others in Sharing Mercy
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on living mercy through being with others. “In this, my final installment of reflections on living mercy, I wanted to draw from Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation ‘Evangelii Gaudium,’ the Joy of the Gospel. In that document, the Holy Father speaks to us about missionary discipleship, which is part of the … Read more
Finding Mercy With, Without Technology
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on technology and mercy. “Continuing on the theme of mercy, I’d like to again focus on some concrete ways we can incorporate mercy in our lives.” …. Charity in Truth in “The Catholic Voice”
“Prescribed” Suicide Undercuts Dignity
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on physician prescribed suicide. “I wish to continue this month with some meditations on living mercy, particularly as mercy relates to the question of physician assisted suicide, or more accurately, physician prescribed suicide. Twenty-five states introduced legislation in 2015 to advance this form of suicide. Last year, and again … Read more
Living Mercy Much More Than a Slogan
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on what living mercy could mean more concretely. “This month I’d like to invite us all to a more concrete examination of what living mercy could look like. But first, let me share something about myself.” …. Charity in Truth in “The Catholic Voice”
On Trump’s Executive Order on Refugees, Look to Pope St. John XXIII
Here’s my article at the National Catholic Register assessing President Trump’s executive order on refugees from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. “The recent refugee executive order from the Trump administration sparked protests and impassioned statements of concern across the country. Many Catholic pastors and the heads of Catholic charitable institutions released statements. The sudden increase in public … Read more
The Father Provides Our Model for Mercy
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on mercy. “Some time ago, readers may recall the listening sessions which Archbishop George J. Lucas held around the archdiocese to elicit comments about pastoral priorities for the future. The archbishop’s vision for the near future of the archdiocese is that we work together to support ‘One church, encountering … Read more
Fidelity to Christ Transcends Politics
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on looking past this election. “The election is upon us, and if the news reports and my own experience are accurate, the vast majority of us will be glad when it is over. I am not exaggerating when I say this has been the worst election cycle I have ever … Read more
What Does the Church Teach about Immigration?
Here is a piece I wrote for The Catholic Answer, the magazine for Our Sunday Visitor. Immigration is an important issue which we need to address, for the sake of the nation and for our neighbors. “The issue of immigration reform is often personal. Immigrants’ tough choices and early struggles in an America full of opportunity … Read more
Now Is the Time We Might Model the Early Patriots and Their Faith
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on religious liberty in this election. Every Catholic today ought to be concerned that we are increasingly in danger of losing our liberty. Charity in Truth in “The Catholic Voice”
State’s Use of Death Penalty Diminishes Culture of Life, Dignity of Human Person
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on a public policy issue, the use of the death penalty. “As I wrote at the end of my previous column, this month’s is about the death penalty. A referendum will be on the ballot Nov. 8 deciding either to bring back the death penalty to Nebraska or retain last … Read more
3 Ways Catholics Misunderstand the Death Penalty
Here’s a post I did for the Archdiocese of Omaha in connection the effort to retain the repeal of the death penalty here in Nebraska. Check it out.
Famous Quotes on Abortion Issue Provide Perspective for Election
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on some public policy issues, starting with abortion. I started it thinking I might give an involved response to some of the many fallacies I hear repeated by Catholics around this issue, but decided instead to just let others speak for me. In the column you’ll hear from Servant … Read more
There Are Some Exceptions to the Rule
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice continuing the conversation about whether a Catholic can vote for someone who supports an intrinsic evil. “The bishops tell us we may not vote for someone who supports an intrinsic evil if we’re supporting that evil, but there are situations where we might vote for such a candidate. …“ Charity … Read more
Remembering that “Evil is Evil”
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice beginning the conversation about whether a Catholic can vote for someone who supports an intrinsic evil. “Last month, I wrote about how we begin to consider a candidate for whom to vote. The U.S. bishops in “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” recommend we start with the category of intrinsic … Read more
How Christians Should Think About the Environment [video]
Below is a video of my presentation at Hope College on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’. Thanks to Hope College and the St. Benedict Forum for their good work and for bringing me up to Holland, Michigan for the talk.