Pope Francis as Historian
by Bronwen McSheaThe pope’s historical formulations—about Luther and Jesuit missions—makes this historian wince. Continue Reading »
On “Owning” the Church
by George WeigelNo earthly power creates the Church and no earthly power owns the Church. The Church was created by the Lord Jesus, and it is his, not ours. Continue Reading »
Ecclesiology in Space
by David RandallScience fiction’s ambition to evoke the immensely long and strange history of the future gives these three works peculiar power to meditate on the promise that the Church will survive. Continue Reading »
Assessing Francis
by William Doino Jr.An important new book has appeared that carefully evaluates Francis’s pontificate, and provides something the pope—for all his good deeds—often hasn’t: context and clarity. Continue Reading »
The Erosion of Catholic Sacramental Discipline in Germany
by Christian SpaemannThe heart of the matter is that, according to the teaching of the Church, there are norms that are valid without exception and not subject to individual discernment. The German bishops contradict this. Continue Reading »
The Bishop and the Nazis
by Daniel UtrechtIn the summer of 1941, at the height of Germany's success in the war, Bishop von Galen decided to take a public stand against the Nazis, even if he had to do it on his own. Continue Reading »
A Lent to Remember
by George WeigelThere’s no better way to enter into the pilgrim character of the season that to participate in the 7 a.m. stational Mass led by the priest and students of the North American College. Continue Reading »
Discernment of Situation
by Douglas FarrowReckoning with a pope whose own remarks seem somewhat erratic is one thing. But how are we to reckon with a situation in which the administration of the sacraments, and the theology behind their administration, is succumbing, with his blessing, to . . . . Continue Reading »
Spirit and Form
by The EditorsThe First Things Podcast, Episode 24. Featuring: Reflections on the late Michael Novak (with special guest Midge Decter); and a battle cry for the traditional Latin Mass. Continue Reading »
Saint Peter’s Chair
by C. C. PecknoldThe feast is an exaltation of the Church militant, malignant, and triumphant.
Continue Reading »
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