What Éric Rohmer said of one of his characters could be said of him as well: He was committed to “redoing all of Rousseau in reverse.” His films are anti-romantic. They reject romantic notions of liberation and autonomy. They critique the cult of romantic love. They warn against a romantic . . . . Continue Reading »
In the Catholic Church, synods of bishops are complex bits of theater. The pope sets the theme, observes the proceedings, and writes the “apostolic exhortation” that translates a synod’s work into teaching. Some post-synodal texts, such as Paul VI’s Evangelii . . . . Continue Reading »
I was a priest for three years before I realized I had never been validly baptized. Continue Reading »
There is a lot of goodness in prisons. At times, I am sure, prisons may be hell on earth. I was fortunate to be kept safe and treated well. I was impressed by the professionalism of the warders, the faith of the prisoners, and the existence of a moral sense even in the darkest places. I was in . . . . Continue Reading »
Monsignor Ronald Knox lived such an outstanding life that one can’t but feel the utter inadequacy of one’s own next to its record. Continue Reading »
Vatican diplomacy seems to be reverting to a Casaroli-style accommodation of thuggish regimes. Continue Reading »
Hagia Sophia should no more be a mosque than the Parthenon should be restored to the worship of Athena. Continue Reading »
The Catholicism with a future is the Catholicism of the Second Vatican Council. Continue Reading »
Recent papal history suggests that certain qualities are needed in the Bishop of Rome at this turbulent period in history. Continue Reading »
This latest display of Beijing’s intent to enforce communist power in Hong Kong coincides with the most recent persecution of Jimmy Lai. Continue Reading »
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