Matthew Schmitz is a former senior editor of First Things.
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Matthew Schmitz
“When leaders in various fields ask me for advice, my response is always the same: dialogue, dialogue, dialogue.” So Pope Francis said during his visit to Brazil in the first days of his papacy. After two recent interview with La Repubblica and La Civiltà Cattolica . . . . Continue Reading »
Two Photos to Show Anyone Who Calls Pope Benedict A Fancy Dresser (This Time Really Look)
From First ThoughtsAndrew Sullivan calls me a reactionary and legalist (he is only half right) and describes Pope Benedict as “a fabulous flurry of fabric and jewellery,” about which he is altogether wrong. Sullivan’s statement is typical of the belief that Pope Benedict has an inappropriate love . . . . Continue Reading »
In a widely covered interview , Pope Francis asked Catholics to stop speaking out on abortion, contraception, and gay marriage. This signaled a wholesale change in the Church’s stance toward the world, an opening of windows to let in the air, a banishment from the religious sphere of any . . . . Continue Reading »
Approval ratings remain high for the Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the servants of God, . . . . Continue Reading »
Today on Twitter Books & Culture editor John Wilson announced that the magazine faces a $110,000 shortfall it must raise in the next three days—-or shut down at year’s end. [ View the story “Books & Culture Calls for Support, May Shut Down” on Storify ] Books & . . . . Continue Reading »
Joseph Bottum has walked back the most controversial assertions of his barnburner Commonweal essay on gay marriage. For this, I’m glad: Several of them were unsupportable. Yet the essay was never about any point of fact so much as it was about a certain mood: one of surprise . . . . Continue Reading »
Only Canada, China, North Korea, and U.S. Allow Abortion After Viability for Any Reason
From First ThoughtsCarly Fiorina is making headlines for her claim on ABC that, “There are only four countries in the world that have, that legalize abortion after five months: China, North Korea, Canada and the U.S.” This isn’t quite right. In fact, there are nine nations that permit abortion after . . . . Continue Reading »
Christopher Mahoney, former vice chairman of Moody’s, set back ecumenism by several years this week when he charged Protestants with being incapable of understanding monetary policy . His argument, or at least his assertion, was that Protestants refuse to countenance loose money policies even . . . . Continue Reading »
The Presbyterian Church USA’s claims the word “satisfied” not the word “wrath” was the real reason for excluding “In Christ Alone” from its hymnal. Continue Reading »
An apparently earnest man wants to hold Israel and Italy responsible for the death of Christ : A Kenyan lawyer has filed a petition with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, suggesting that the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ was unlawful, and the State of Israel among others . . . . Continue Reading »
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