The conference of bishops overwhelmingly approved a statement on faithful citizenship, urging Catholics to rely on church teachings as they shape their political conscience. The document lists a host of issues Catholics should care about, including poverty, healthcare, immigration, and housing. But the bishops placed special priority on opposing abortion and euthanasia, which they called “intrinsic evils.” More →

November 16, 2007

The 280 U.S. Catholic bishops meet this coming week (November 12-15) in Baltimore, with a sharp debate likely over religion and politics, specifically on how much weight the issue of abortion should have in Catholic decisions on how to vote. Joining us to explore the arguments is Father Tom Reese, senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Woodstock Theological Center and a longtime authority on the U.S. bishops. More →

November 9, 2007

Read more of Judy Valente’s interview with writer Mary Gordon. More →

October 26, 2007

Few issues touch a raw nerve in American politics like gun control. But often the issue is not far below the surface in worship communities, particularly those frequently hit by gun violence. More →

July 13, 2007

Monsignor Charles Pope TIM O’BRIEN, guest anchor: Catholics of a certain age grew up hearing the Mass only in Latin. But since the 1960s, priests have been allowed to say the Mass in Latin only with the permission of their … More →

July 6, 2007

Benedict said that in Francis’s hometown, the “city of peace,” he felt a duty to make a heartfelt appeal for peace. More →

June 22, 2007

The Key to the Keeper of the Keys by J. Peter Pham In 1316, after the tumultuous papacy of Pope Clement V, the cardinals of the Catholic Church elected an elderly French colleague serving in the Roman Curia, Jacques DuËse, … More →

May 14, 2007

    BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: There is a group of Benedictine nuns in Missouri who bake and sell millions of Communion wafers, small and large. But some would-be communicants complained that they are allergic to the gluten in the wheat … More →

March 30, 2007

Sr. Mary John Meyer’s Paschal Candle Cinnamon Rolls Ingredients for rolls: 2 c. milk ‡ c. mashed potatoes 7 c. flour ‡ c. sugar (for sugar-free recipe, substitute 1 tsp. of honey to activate yeast) 2 tbsp. yeast 3 eggs … More →

March 30, 2007

By some estimates, the number of children in this country being taught at home is well over a million and may be approaching two million. Yet in some states there is very little or no government oversight of what the kids are learning, which is just the way most home school parents want it. More →

January 10, 2007