Category: Comment & Analysis

US-Mexico border facing a ‘humanitarian crisis’

John Lavenburg As thousands of migrants congregate underneath the Del Rio International Bridge, the Archbishop of San Antonio says the archdiocese will help however possible, but he fears an already overwhelming situation for the border city will get worse. The number of migrants underneath the bridge grew to more than 8,000 last Thursday with some…

Papal trip tests limits of being a ‘pontifex’

Junno Arocho Esteves On paper, Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Hungary and Slovakia was pretty standard as papal trips go: outdoor Masses, meeting with dignitaries, visiting poor and marginalised populations and of course, answering questions from journalists aboard the papal flight. Nevertheless, issues such as vaccine scepticism, migration, same-sex “marriage,” and denying Communion to Catholics…

Do we accept democracy or not?

The point about the new Texas abortion law which few commentators seem to grasp is that Roe v. Wade divided America disastrously, and should never have formed a nationwide ruling on the subject of abortion. It was passed by the Texas state legislature, in both upper and lower houses, by a democratic vote, and with…

The Gospel not the law must reign supreme in the Church

Mary McAleese’s remedy for greater lay involvement is undermined by the legalism with which she wants to save the synod process writes Prof. Massimo Faggioli It is always wise to pay attention to the statements that former president Mary McAleese makes on the Catholic Church. They always reveal something on this moment in the life…

Blesseds abound in Church in Poland

Letter from Poland Sunday saw the beatification of two blesseds with very different, but equally holy, missions in the Church in Poland. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, declared the ‘Iron primate’, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and Mother Elzbieta Róza Czacka blessed at Mass and a service September 12, at…