Father John Cush, a Brooklyn priest who serves in Rome as the Academic Dean of the Pontifical North American College, was asked what the most important thing that people needed to know theologically. Without a pause, he stated it was the theological virtues.
Editorials
Msgr. Quinn Stood for Racial Justice
Msgr. Bernard J. Quinn (d. 1940) certainly knew the value of immigrants and the fact that all human beings are born in God’s image and likeness. The son of poor Irish immigrant parents (his father was a longshoreman), Msgr. Quinn saw the horrors of war up close when he was assigned as a chaplain for the 333rd Machine Gun Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army in the “War to end all wars,” that is, the First World War.
The Horror of Assisted Suicide
The fifth commandment of the Decalogue is quite clear: “Thou shall not kill.” Given by the Lord God to Moses on Sinai, this has remained a staple of civilization. And yet today, that basic rule — “Thou shall not kill” — is hardly understood in our culture.
Catholic School Athletes Are Ready: Let Them Play
As we approach April, Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) sports still have not been given the green light to resume competitive play. Recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) could resume sports April 1 and continue interscholastic play into the summer.
The Inequalities of The Equality Act
The Equality Act of 2021 sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? And yet, the entire act is deeply flawed. It will be a great threat to religious freedom and will codify laws that will force beliefs that are entirely contrary to the Catholic Church’s beliefs on human sexuality and natural law.
Papal Trip Needs to Bring More Attention to Persecuted Christians
This week, thank God for the success of our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ apostolic visit. He had much to do while there, praying for peace in the area, recognizing the common sonship of all monotheists under Abraham, and, perhaps most importantly, giving hope to the Christians of Iraq and indeed to all Christians in the Middle East.
An Island Desperately In Need of Help
Fifteen years ago, Puerto Rico’s economy entered a death spiral when the United State’s federal government phased out a provision of the Puerto Rican tax code that gave U.S. corporations in Puerto Rico tax exemptions. Many companies moved out of Puerto Rico and unemployment rates went through the roof. It was the beginning of a calvary that hasn’t ended.
The Beautifully Diverse Body of Christ
As the Holy Season of Lent progresses each year, we welcome new Catholics to the Body of Christ. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a journey, a true act of accompaniment by the local parish to catechumens (those who need to receive all three of the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion) and candidates (who were baptized, as a Catholic or in another ecclesial communion and need to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist).
Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
On Ash Wednesday, Roman Catholics begin the holy season of Lent. This is a time to do exactly what we were exhorted to do when we had ashes sprinkled on our head — “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
The Importance of the Catholic School Teacher
Recently, Currents News interviewed Father John Cush, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn who is currently serving as a professor and as the Academic Dean of the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City-State. During the conversation, he mentioned who he felt, as an author and as a teacher, were his biggest influences.