The Editors

David Bentley Hart on the natural law : There is a long, rich, varied, and subtle tradition of natural law theory, almost none of which I find especially convincing, but most of which I acknowledge to be—according to the presuppositions of the intellectual world in which it was . . . . Continue Reading »

Michael J. New on the lack of change in attitudes about abortion : These hopeful takes from supporters of abortion all commit the cardinal sin of abortion politics: reading too much into the results of isolated surveys. To seriously analyze fluctuations in public opinion on abortion, one needs to . . . . Continue Reading »

Elizabeth Scalia on the Pope’s Benedict option : When Pope Benedict XVI departs from the Chair of Peter on the evening of February 28, he will remain briefly at Castel Gandolfo while his new quarters are readied, and will then take on the gift and burden of monastic enclosure, which he has . . . . Continue Reading »

R.R. Reno on Garry Wills’ latest book : Why Priests?  falls below his usual low standards. The main thesis is that priests ruin everything. They’re power-hungry monsters who’ve taken over the Church, destroying the affirming, companionable, and egalitarian message of Jesus. . . . . Continue Reading »

Wesley J. Smith on euthanasia’s euphemisms : When a social movement must rely on euphemisms to obfuscate its goals, it is a good bet that there is something wrong with its agenda. From its very inception, euthanasia advocates have euphemistically bent language as a means of convincing society . . . . Continue Reading »

Pete Spiliakos on aggressive incrementalism as a winning strategy for pro-lifers : In the last few presidential elections, the strategy of the Republican presidential candidate has been to talk about abortion only when asked. The purpose seems to be to signal pro-life views while not alienating . . . . Continue Reading »

Andrew Doran on  Benedict face to face with Islam : In 1095, in a carefully crafted speech before prelates and nobles in Claremont, France, Pope Urban II called Europe to action: A Crusade to aid the Christian empire of Byzantium. Emissaries of the emperor in Constantinople had come to Urban . . . . Continue Reading »

Timothy George on  Benedict XVI, the great Augustinian : Not long ago, Pope Benedict XVI made a personal donation to the restoration of the Basilica of St. Augustine in Annaba, Algeria, the site of the ancient town of Hippo Regius, where the greatest theologian of the ancient church served as . . . . Continue Reading »

William Doino Jr. on Pope Benedict’s greatest lesson : However history remembers Pope Benedict, one thing is assured: his reign will be remembered as one of the great teaching pontificates. Even those who question other aspects of it, praise it for that. “Where the Church has emerged . . . . Continue Reading »

Peter J. Leithart on Shakespeare for Lent : Lent is a time of renunciation and fasting, spiritual striving, self-examination, contrition, and penitence. It seems a grim and black season of self-accusation. But that’s all superficial. Lent is better understood as a season of Christian comedy. . . . . Continue Reading »