Matthew Schmitz

Rod Dreher points to the latest blog post by Los Angeles cardinal emeritus, Roger Mahony: Given all of the storms that have surrounded me and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles recently, God’s grace finally helped me to understand:  I am not being called to serve Jesus in humility.  . . . . Continue Reading »

In 2002, the internet was set abuzz by news that the Beatles had approached J.R.R. Tolkien about doing a film version of Lord of the Rings starring the Fab Four: Once upon a time, the Fab Four—having slain the pop charts—decided to set their sights on the Dark Lord Sauron by making a Lord . . . . Continue Reading »

From  Light of the World , Benedict XVI’s 2010 interview with Peter Seewald: Q:   Have you thought of resigning? A: When the danger is great one must not run away. For that reason, now [2010] is certainly not the time to resign. Precisely at a time like this one must stand fast and . . . . Continue Reading »

Statement from Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: The Holy Father brought the tender heart of a pastor, the incisive mind of a scholar and the confidence of a soul united with His God in all he did. His resignation is but another sign . . . . Continue Reading »

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi offers a sketch of Benedict’s next steps : Pope Benedict XVI has given his resignation freely, in accordance with Canon 332 §2 of the Code of Canon Law. Pope Benedict XVI will not take part in the Conclave for the election of his successor. Pope . . . . Continue Reading »

Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times : Chris Cillizza of the  Washington Post : Following Sarah Palin’s lead? Try Celestine V. . . . . Continue Reading »

Transcribed from George Weigel’s interview on NBC News this morning: It’s a surprise, obviously. This hasn’t happened since 1296, which is 717 years ago . . .  The pope then was Pope Celestine V. He was 85 years old, too, so there’s an interesting historical symmetry . . . . Continue Reading »

In response to an interview question, Robert P. George previews the argument of his forthcoming book  Conscience and Its Enemies : Contemporary left liberals are hardly relativists! I often wish they were. They are moralists—moralists on a mission. The mission is to shape political and . . . . Continue Reading »

On last night’s episode of Downton Abbey, we heard the unfamiliar Catholic slur “left-footer.” Series creator Julian Fellowes—-himself an occasional target of anti-Catholicism —-has really outdone himself this time. Mackerel-snapper, sure. But left-footer? What could . . . . Continue Reading »

That’s the vision advanced by the Obama administration in their broadened—-but still much, much too narrow—-exemption to the HHS mandate. According to the administration’s factsheet , an employer will be exempt if it: opposes providing coverage for some or all of any . . . . Continue Reading »