The reaction of the people of Charleston, South Carolina, to the horrendous shootings in a Bible Study class has been inspirational. There have been no riots, no demonstrations, just a call for justice and even the offer of forgiveness.
Editorials
Threat in Albany
A threat to resurrect the elimination of the statute of limitations for church workers accused of sexual abuse is nothing more than a continuation of the dirtiest politics in Albany. Coming on the next to last day of the Assembly’s scheduled session, the proposal was nothing more than a threat of retaliation to the Church because of its firm support for the Education Tax Credit proposal that it has been backing.
Encyclical’s Authority
Editorial: Care for the environment is a moral issue. Our Holy Father is asking us to take seriously our responsibility to care for our common home.
Why Consecrated Life?
The Church has been blessed this year dedicated to consecrated life. We have the tremendous witness of religious sisters and nuns, religious brothers and friars, and those consecrated in secular institutes to remind us of three things: first, how the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience can influence our own lives; second, how a particular charism can aid the entire Church; and third, of the necessity of joy in community.
A Steady Barque
This past week, Rome hosted two very different, but important meetings. The first was at the Vatican, chaired by Pope Francis himself, as a meeting of the Ordinary Council of the Synod of Bishops. This was a preparatory meeting held to get ready for October’s Synod on the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and Society.
The Age of Confirmation
This past Pentecost, Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver released an interesting pastoral letter entitled “Saints Among Us.”
Choice in Education
There is a full court press on to gain passage of the Education Tax Credit proposal in Albany. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has thrown the full weight of his office behind it in spite of Democratic Party opposition in the Assembly.
Jumping to Conclusions
Many newspapers are jumping to conclusions about the transfer of Father Warren Hall, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, from his position of director of campus ministry at Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.
Meaning of Conversion
This past Sunday, Cuban President Raul Castro visited with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, in anticipation of the pope’s visit to Cuba this September. In his interview afterwards, Castro indicated that he is thinking about returning to the faith and going back to Mass due to Pope Francis. Castro said that he reads everything that our Holy Father writes and is very impressed by his approach.
Hillary’s Absurd Thinking
Hillary Clinton recently demonstrated a warped view of religious freedom. While speaking at the Sixth Annual Women in the World Summit, Mrs. Clinton clearly stated: “Rights have to exist in practice – not just on paper,” and “Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will… And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.”