On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

Leroy Huizenga on why Catholics care about Christians : he University of Mary defines its mission and identity as “Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine.” Its Christian Leadership Center, which I direct, is intended to foster relationships among a wide variety of Christians, from Catholics . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

George Weigel on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious : There’s not a whole lot of “common ground” to be found between these two readings of the post-conciliar history of women’s religious life in these United States. Either Tom Fox is right in his general view of the . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

Elizabeth Scalia on the essays of Sigrid Undset : Nearly a century has passed since Sigrid Undset wrote the biographical essays about holy men and women, and the letters, which eventually would be collected and published under the heading, Stages on the Road . It is a title evocative of the life of . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

Tim Kelleher on ecumenism and the Eastern Catholic Church : Gathered for their ad limina, Eastern Catholic bishops from the U.S. were addressed last week by Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, Leonardo Cardinal Sandri. His injunction—made not about abortion, the HHS mandate, . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

Russell E. Saltzman remembers Fr. Richard John Neuhaus : There’s little doubt in my mind that compared to all the people he knew and befriended in life, I was a bit player. Yet he treated me and my children generously. I made sure they met him. I managed to haul five of my seven to New York to . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

George Weigel on critter prayers and transhumanism : A former Vatican official known for his prowess with a deer rifle commented on the latter: “I have my own prayer at the death of a wild animal. It begins, ‘Bless, O Lord, and these thy gifts . . . ’” Another priest, seeing . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

James R. Rogers on the welfare state as spiritual temptation : As Christians think about social obligations—obligations to others—I think this distinction between the means by which the church operates and the means by which the magistrate operates matters. This doesn’t mean . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

William Doino Jr. on imaginary saints : We tend to love saints—provided they are safely dead. When they are alive, kicking up a storm, challenging us to live out the Gospel, they act like a thorn in our conscience. The saints inspire awe. There is nothing more holy—or terrifying—than . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

Peter J. Leithart on what the Bible is for : Evangelicals like to quote Paul’s letter to Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, correction, training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.” Paul affirms that God is the . . . . Continue Reading »

On the Square Today

From First Thoughts

Leroy Huizenga on the White House’s contraceptive Kulturkampf : Franciscan University of Steubenville just dropped health insurance for its undergraduates, thus becoming one of the most prominent early victims of the Department of Health and Human Services mandate requiring all health plans . . . . Continue Reading »