Leading EU cardinal backs Covid passports at churches (The Tablet)

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, the president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE), said that “During this phase when the pandemic is resurgent, we must save lives, and this green pass should welcome people to Mass.” “Since Christmas, a law has been in force in Luxembourg allowing only those vaccinated […]

Pope, in video, deplores persecution of religious minorities (The Pope Video)

“How is it possible that many religious minorities currently suffer discrimination or persecution?” Pope Francis asks in a video associated with his January prayer intention. “How can we allow that in this society, which is so civilized, there are people who are persecuted simply because they publicly profess their faith? Not only is it unacceptable; […]

COVID Vaccines and the Sense of the Faithful

In the 11th century the use of the crossbow was becoming more common in Western European conflicts. A technical advancement on the traditional bow, the crossbow had a significant advantage in destructiveness that seems to have caused alarm among moral theologians. Pope Urban II prohibited its use in 1097; shortly thereafter the Second Lateran Council […]

No Optimism, Much Hope

While history is always full of surprises, including happy ones, I must confess that I’m not full of Pentecostal joy as I consider the next twelve months.  Continue Reading »

Merry Christmas, from a Muslim

When I first set foot in America in the mid-2000s, I found myself in an odd situation come December. I had to bite my tongue to catch myself from saying “Merry Christmas.” It was just something I did out of habit; I had always said “Merry Christmas” while growing up in England. But I had […]