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“He understands”

From First Thoughts

In today’s St. Louis Platform there’s an excellent article with interviews from two of the victims of clerical sexual abuse who met with the pope in Washington, DC. Here are some excerpts, but the whole thing is worth reading: Olan Horne, 48, a survivor of clerical sex abuse, believes . . . . Continue Reading »

Bl. John Henry Newman

From First Thoughts

The exciting news of the the day does not come from Pennsylvania, but from Rome, where it was announced that John Henry Cardinal Newman will be beatified. A leader of the Oxford Movement, a catholic reform movement in the Anglican Church, Newman later converted to Catholicism and founded the . . . . Continue Reading »

Aramaic Hanging On

From First Thoughts

In October, I wrote about dying languages—languages whose use is declining—and why they are worth saving. In today’s New York Times , there was a small article on Syrian villages where Aramaic, the language probably spoken by Jesus, is still used, but by increasingly fewer people. . . . . Continue Reading »

The Pope and Immigration

From First Thoughts

A sensible word from the Wall Street Journal on the Pope and how his celebration of immigration is the right and Christian thing to do, in contrast to virulent rumblings from the some corners of the American political scene: “You know the restrictionists have gone head-first into the fever . . . . Continue Reading »

Music for Yankee Stadium

From First Thoughts

Via Argent by the Tiber , here’s the musical line-up for the Mass in Yankee Stadium. Note the musical difference between this and the Mass in Nationals Stadium, which involved less traditional music and more music from the many peoples comprising American Catholicism. To me, it also seems to . . . . Continue Reading »

Rallying for the Pope

From First Thoughts

For those in the New York area this weekend, here are two events to put on the calendar: 1. Friday: Papal Candlelight Vigil , 9:00 pm - 12:00 am, 5th Ave at 72nd Street. The Archdiocese will provide 1000 candles for the faithful outside the Pope’s window. I wouldn’t be surprised if he . . . . Continue Reading »

The Full Spectrum of Catholic Education

From First Thoughts

Kenneth Woodward, a contributing editor on religion for Newsweek , has an editorial in the New York Times on what Benedict might say on Catholic education tomorrow. One notes first that Mr. Woodward has added his name to the list of people who are eager to tell Benedict what he should be saying to . . . . Continue Reading »

Safire’s Devious Dictionary

From Web Exclusives

A couple days ago, a signed copy of Safire’s Political Dictionary , the fifth edition of the popular tome by the linguistic and political columnist William Safire, arrived on my desk. I’d seen it in a catalogue and, thinking it would follow in the footsteps of Dr. Johnson’s . . . . Continue Reading »

On Sparrows’ Wings

From First Thoughts

In the Easter issue of Dappled Things , a magazine devoted to the artistic and cultural life of young Catholics in America, First Things contributor Matthew Milliner writes on how Catholics can renew the world of contemporary art. Playing off the title of Joseph Bottum’s article ” When . . . . Continue Reading »

Papal Countdown

From First Thoughts

The order of service for all US ceremonies during the upcoming papal visit was released today . I didn’t find any big surprises, although the plans for the Youth Rally at Dunwoodie in New York are outlined in greater detail. Those present will be singing “Happy Birthday” in German . . . . Continue Reading »