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.
Guidelines for a “Good Candidate”
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on how a Catholic might begin to discern how to find a good candidate for whom to vote. “I’m continuing this month with my series on voting. Last month, I wrote about our responsibility to vote. Many have thanked me for that piece, but have asked what we’re supposed … Read more
Voting: One Way To Oppose Injustice
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on what St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) said about why we ought to be voting. “Continuing with the theme of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, I’d like to focus on the question of participation in its various forms. Recently, I was speaking with a friend who … Read more
Love Drives Church in Politics
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on the church and politics and why we shouldn’t think they are oil and water. “I would like to continue this month on the U.S. Bishops’ document ‘Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,’ the new version of which came out at the end of 2015. I want to address the … Read more
Election Year Offers Opportunity
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on this election year and why we should welcome it. “Happy New Year. We are now in 2016 and find ourselves in an election year, too. We might be tempted to groan about this fact. But I want to invite people to look at this as an opportunity to allow … Read more
Bishops’ Document on Citizenship Teaches From Spirit of the Church
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on some of the changes in the US Bishops document on voting. “The election is less than a year away, and the United States bishops have released their document ‘Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship’ (FCFC) with updates to reflect the current political climate and issues. I have enjoyed reading it … Read more
Action on the Environment Founded in Fruitful Spirituality
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice again on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and some practical statements by the pope as well as a reminder about a proper spirituality. “Three months ago in my reflections on ‘Laudato Si’’ I pointed out that we cannot pretend to care for the environment if we do not at the same time … Read more
“Merciful Like the Father” What is the Jubilee of Mercy?
Here is a piece I wrote on the Year of Mercy for The Catholic Answer, the magazine for Our Sunday Visitor. The Holy Father really has some beautiful thoughts on which we should reflect. “In the papal bull of indiction Misericordiae Vultus (“The Face of Mercy”), Pope Francis announced the jubilee year, but also invites us to … Read more
Social Catholicism and Catholic Social Teaching [VIDEO]
Here is a video of a presentation I gave to the Omaha chapter of the Catholic Professional & Business Club. Thanks to the folks there for letting me present on this subject. Pictured above is Leon Harmel.
Pope Tells us to Think Beyond Our Borders When Considering Environmental Issues
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice again on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and some examples overseas of environmental degradation. “Continuing with my reflections on “Laudato Si’,” the encyclical by Pope Francis on the environment, I would like to point out some of what may not be so obvious to us. We as Americans don’t often have … Read more
What the Upcoming Synod Can Teach Us
Here is a piece I wrote on the upcoming Synod for The Catholic Answer, the magazine for Our Sunday Visitor. I offer some practical suggestions for the family and how we can live up to our calling. “Talk about the synod in the media has revolved mostly around pastoral solutions to prickly questions in modern families. While such … Read more
Care For Earth Rooted in Care For People
Here is my column in The Catholic Voice on Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and the connection between how we treat people with how we treat things and vice versa. “Continuing with the encyclical ‘Laudato Si’,’ Pope Francis laments what he calls our ‘throwaway culture.’ We in America do live in a throwaway culture. The Planned Parenthood videos have … Read more
On Prophets, the State and Being Prophetic [video]
Here is a link to a presentation I gave at our local Seeking Truth Bible Study, or you can watch it below. If you don’t know Seeking Truth, you just haven’t lived. Founded, led, motivated, organized, sustained, enlivened and otherwise championed by Sharon and Steven Doran, it is a great way to get to know … Read more