It was good to see Mark Movsesian (“Defining Religion in the Court,” June/July 2023) tackle the issue of judicial religious exemptions for the increasing numbers of religious Nones among us. But I don’t think his guideline for distinguishing “religious” claims from other, conscientious . . . . Continue Reading »
In his 2005 Christmas address to the Roman Curia, the recently elected Pope Benedict XVI said that one main task of the Second Vatican Council had been to clarify the relation between Church and state. The pope stated that in the twentieth century, “Catholic statesmen demonstrated that a modern . . . . Continue Reading »
Benedict XVI believed that his work was done. Three days after announcing his resignation, he gave a speech on the struggle that had defined his pontificate. It concerned the interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, in which he had taken an important part. On one side stood the “true . . . . Continue Reading »
The pope entombed in the crypt under St. Peter’s Basilica on January 5, 2023 was without doubt an extraordinary man.As a friend observed, “We’re not likely to see anyone half as well-educated or a tenth as wise anytime soon.” I think he’s right. Ratzinger was a deeply learned man. . . . . Continue Reading »
The knowledge we gather from the natural sciences should complement our Catholic faith. Continue Reading »
The embodiment of Catholic fearlessness, Cardinal George Pell, has gone to his eternal reward. Those of us who loved him, and especially those of us fortunate enough to have collaborated with him, must now live that fearlessness and call others to it. Continue Reading »
When the Church solemnly commits Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to the Lord at the funeral Mass today, the curtain will come down on one of the most important and fruitful eras in two millennia of Catholic intellectual life. Continue Reading »
For me, two couplets will always capture the essence of Pope Benedict XVI: faith and reason, realism and hope. Continue Reading »
Joseph Ratzinger had “the mind of twelve professors” and the clear piety of a child making his or her first Holy Communion. Continue Reading »
There probably will never be a consensus on Vatican II and its legacy: to what extent it channeled the Holy Spirit, and how much its implementation was hijacked by the world, the flesh, and the devil. But all those who read George Weigel’s fine new book, whatever their points of view, will find . . . . Continue Reading »
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