What is Causing Our Fertility Crisis? Catholic Experts Weigh In
Glenn|Wikimedia Fertility rose at the end of the Depression and the end of World War II with the baby boom, to more than 3.5 births for every woman by 1960 — then plummeted immediately thereafter. Apart from a few small short-term bumps, the country’s fertility rate has never recovered from the post-1960 downward trajectory.
Widespread outcry as Congo initiates judicial probe against Cardinal Ambongo
The Congolese bishops’ conference has responded to the judicial investigation against Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa, closely monitoring a case that highlights escalating tensions between the government and the Catholic Church.
Synod: Pope’s message of encouragement to parish priests
In his message marking the conclusion of an international meeting of 300 priests from around the world in Rome for the Synod, Pope Francis emphasized the crucial role they play in bringing about a synodal Church.
Wildcat: Flannery for Rookies
I appreciate that cigar culture has finer points, but the smell of cigars still makes me queasy. Likewise, Flannery O’Connor. She is an acquired taste, and this review of Wildcat, the new biodrama of O’Connor, is written from the perspective of one who has not thoroughly acquired it. I daresay I’m not alone on the […]
Big Families, Wide Sidewalks, and Frogs
A baby was born to my daughter Gigi’s teacher in our parish Montessori school. The baby lived in the classroom for a few years. I don’t think that baby’s feet touched the ground for two full years. They kept a closely guarded list of the girls who got to carry her next. In this part […]
Trump Polls Ahead of Biden Among Catholic Voters with Shift in Hispanic Vote
Michele Ursi Hispanic Catholics, who make up approximately 40% of the U.S. Church, continue to favor Biden, but at a much smaller margin, 49% to 47%. According to the latest Pew Research Center poll, which was taken April 8–14, Trump leads Biden among Catholics 55% to 43%.
‘Wildcat’: Too Much Darkness, Too Little Grace
Promotional poster for the movie ‘Wildcat’ in theaters May 3, 2024. FILM REVIEW: ‘Wildcat’ sheds light on Flannery O’Connor’s faith and fiction and leaves audience searching for grace.
Nagasaki’s Continuous Martyrdom: From the Hidden Church to the Atomic Bomb
Christian Ender 26 Martyrs Museum in Nagasaki, Japan. The towers represent the communication between God and people. The left one symbolizes the prayer of men, the one on the right, the falling grace from heaven, with the red color symbolizing the Holy Spirit. The museum was built 1962 to commemorate the 26 Christians who got […]
Amended Constitution threatens to erode democracy in Togo, bishop warns
Bishop Benoît Alowonou, president of Togo’s national bishops’ conference, spoke about a new Constitution adopted by the Togolese National Assembly that transitions the government from a presidential to a parliamentary system and how it threatens democracy.
New Hartford archbishop pledges bringing back Catholic schools to Connecticut capital
NEW YORK – In his first formal address to the faithful as leader of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, Archbishop Christopher Coyne announced a lofty goal of not only bringing Catholic schools back to the state’s capital city, but making them tuition free. “It is a glaring omission that for quite some time the promise […]