One of the main dimensions of Catholic social teaching is the prophetic voice which names social sin and injustice on behalf of God and onto greater flourishing for those who are suffering. This aspect of the social gospel relates to the role of the prophet in Hebrew Scripture whose sacred task was to move God’s … Continue reading The Global Pandemic Reveals Structures of Sin and Systemic Injustice

In late January, friends from Minnesota were visiting me while I was on sabbatical in south Texas. After Mass and brunch, I took a long walk in the bright Texas sun. As I made my way back to the house my friend who was sitting on the porch alerted me to the news that Kobe … Continue reading The Fragility of Life and the Restorative Mission of Christ

Many of us are working off-site these days, with most evenings free. Those of you with families are trying to not kill each other while also being creative and collaborative. More than a few have taken to streaming tv shows and movies, but I would suggest that while it can be fun to take in … Continue reading Essential Reading for the Pandemic

The Catholic Church has experienced a prolonged crisis in its failure to protect children and in the cover-up and lack of accountability for bishops. There is much work to be done in righting the ship and in healing the Catholic communion, especially the pain of victim-survivors. In looking to the origins of the mistakes that … Continue reading Faith and Reason in a Time of Crisis – Lessons Learned for the Pandemic

A year ago today, parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes and friends were on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. It was a very moving trip for all who made the journey. Having studied in Jerusalem for three months in seminary and having traveled to the Holy Land on multiple occasions, I told our pilgrims that … Continue reading You Just Pray, I Will Turn the Page

My heart goes out to all those struggling in these challenging times, especially the elderly and those who are experiencing unhealth and anxiety as a result of the Coronavirus. Certainly, life as we know it has been significantly altered as a result of this global crisis. Notwithstanding the seriousness of this pandemic, our Catholic faith … Continue reading Wisdom for Challenging Times from the Catholic Tradition and the Great Saints of March

It is amazing to think about the great Catholic communion of believers, across the epochs of history. Today, we are comprised of more than 1.2 billion members, spanning all seven continents and employing almost every language known to humanity. Yes, there are real issues of concern within our communion – most pressing is the need … Continue reading Reflections on the Great Catholic Communion

In the introduction to this blog, I promised that from time to time I would pass along other writing, scholarship or blog pieces I found interesting or inspiring. Today, I do so from two of my law school colleagues: Teresa Collett and Mark Osler. Both are committed Christians, thoughtful colleagues and passionate advocates. Teresa has … Continue reading To the Heart of the Womb and to the Peripheries

On this day which falls between the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade – and which also marks the official beginning of the impeachment trial of President Trump - I offer a few reflections on important principles that connect these important American events. Beginning with the latter, at the heart of … Continue reading The Betrayal of the American Spirit