Support First Things by turning your adblocker off or by making a  donation. Thanks!

Excommunicating Intentions

From Web Exclusives

For approving an abortion at an Arizona hospital late last year, Sr. Margaret McBride has incurred excommunication latae sententiae”meaning that her actions have caused her to excommunicate herself. Or so, at least, her bishop, Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix, has announced… . Continue Reading »

A Doctrine in Limbo

From First Thoughts

Among the many ironies punctuating Catholic history, one of the more curious is the spectacle of theologians, dedicated to expounding doctrine on the God who “is love” (1 John 4:8), insisting that infants who die unbaptized will never see God. But, in a letter published in the print . . . . Continue Reading »

Enjoying Treasures in Heaven

From First Thoughts

Although Meghan Duke has already posted accurate praise for Bruce D. Marshall’s review , in the current FT, of Gary Anderson’s book Sin: A History , I want to say a bit more about the review from my own standpoint as a theology buff. Anderson does not strive, and Marshall does not call, . . . . Continue Reading »

Sectarian or Civic?

From First Thoughts

“The Catholic Voice in the Public Square: Sectarian or Civic?” was the title of a lecture given last night at Manhattan’s Church of St. Vincent Ferrer by Helen Alvaré, associate professor of law at the George Mason University School of Law, senior fellow at the Culture of Life . . . . Continue Reading »