News
Tragical Sexual Comedy
If you have ever been to a stand-up comedy show, you know that comics tend to be something of a mess. Comedy is, for many of these people, a way… Read More
A Road to Nowhere
Stephen White of Catholic University responds to a recent essay by Cardinal McElroy of San Diego. “Unsurprisingly, the very thing Christ died to save us from – sin – barely… Read More
Apples and Oranges – and Abuse
Stephen White of Catholic University compares and contrasts the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury report on clergy abuse to the recent report of the Office of the Inspector General for the… Read More
Vocational Mortality Review
Many hospitals regularly engage in something called a clinical mortality review (also called morbidity & mortality rounds or “M&M” conferences). These meetings are used to try to understand if a… Read More
The Old and the New
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the reality of bishops emeritus; what does it mean to be a retired bishop? “What does it mean for a father to ‘retire’?… Read More
The Church: Field Hospital?
One of the prominent images of the Francis pontificate is that of the Church as a field hospital in the midst of battle. “Tend the wounds, tend the wounds!” calls… Read More
On Fatherhood and “Healthy Masculinity”
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on fatherhood as the living-out of healthy masculinity. “That first childish image of Fatherhood – invincible, omniscient, omnipotent, awesome, all-loving – that’s real Fatherhood.… Read More
Human Formation & the Crisis of Trust
In 1990, 238 synod fathers met in Rome for the 8th Ordinary General Synod on “The Formation of Priests in Circumstances of the Present Day.” They presented Pope John Paul… Read More
The Trouble with Bishops’ Conferences
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the role of bishops’ conferences in view of the comments of Pope Francis in his interview with America Magazine. “The pope’s words can… Read More
Baby Step: Phone Calls
Today I continue the series I promised last time: baby steps toward increased trust between bishops and priests. Today’s step is phone calls—both from the bishop to priests and priests’… Read More
Our Shared Point of Reference
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the Eucharist as the only sure foundation of unity in the Church: “If the Church is in need of unity, turn to the… Read More
Baby Steps: What’s in a Name?
I have been slowly reading through the first write-in section of our national survey of Catholic priests. We asked priests, “In your opinion, what is one step that should be… Read More