Advent will begin on Sunday, December 3, in the Church’s official liturgical calendar, but it is not an important development in the lives of many Catholics, for whom this ancient season, first observed 1,600 years ago, simply is out of step with
The Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, led by Archbishop Alexander Sample, announced that it is putting its school system under the overall priority of evangelization. Somebody in Portland knows American Catholic history and the value of living the Catholic faith. Two and
The Holy See acknowledges Israel's legitimacy as a sovereign nation and maintains diplomatic relations with the nation. In his latest column, Msgr. Owen Campion writes that popes have engaged with Israeli leaders and denounced anti-Semitism. After the recent Hamas attacks, Cardinal Pietro
Some European bishops have declared that at the synod now underway in Rome, they will urge Pope Francis to change certain Church views usually seen as unchangeable, shocking more than a few Catholics. If dismayed, it might help to realize what situations
Notre Dame football is an American legend. Its home games are treated as rituals. Students pack the stands. At every game, rain or shine, they sing the school’s Alma Mater, accompanied by the equally legendary Fighting Irish Marching Band. These are the
It’s been a few weeks since Pope Francis met informally with Portuguese Jesuits in Lisbon for World Youth Day. During that conversation, he shared his opinion about the Church in the United States, which many American Catholics took offense to. Too often
It’s easy to forget what was happening in the early days of uncovering clergy sex abuse. At the time, most bishops and religious superiors reacted exactly as professionals; “experts” advised them to act according to the way people of the time —
On August 6, Father Charles F. Strobel of Nashville — a longtime advocate for the homeless — died at the age of 80 after a long, slowly progressing illness. In a tribute column to Father Strobel, Pat Nolan, a longtime, very respected
While few Catholics today would defend the evil practice of slavery, at the time of the Civil War, many prominent Confederates were indeed devout Catholics. They fell in line with general American society, especially in the South. Even today, there remains a
Every summer, Catholic history is made in Nashville, when the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, headquartered in the Tennessee city for 163 years, receive new members. History is made, writes Monsignor Owen F. Campion, because while communities of women religious are almost