Posts in Catholicism
FBI Documents Reveal Spying On Catholics: Where’s The Outrage?

(ANALYSIS) The inability for certain types of stories to register with the secular press — especially legacy media — is yet another sign of the political, cultural and moral divisions in our society and the dying notion of an objective press.

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Cardinal McElroy-EWTN Feud Reveals Catholicism’s Internal Cracks

(ANALYSIS) The Catholic press operates differently compared to mainstream media. Catholic media, depending where the publication or TV station falls on the doctrinal spectrum, aren’t governed by objectivity but by church teachings. This is where the conflict arises and when culture war battles within the church — and society — manifest themselves.

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NCAA Basketball Star Caitlin Clark's Success Rooted In Her Faith And Catholic Education

Everyone now knows what Caitlin Clark can do after her wonderful performances this season — but many schools had seen that potential a few years ago. She was heavily recruited by a number of schools after ESPN rated her one of the nation’s top prospect in 2020 when she was a budding point guard at a Catholic high school in Iowa.

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Francis’ Pontificate Turns 10: How The Press Covered This Papal Milestone

(ANALYSIS) Pope Francis’ pontificate turned 10 years old last week and — like with an anniversary or milestone — became a time for the news media to reflect. What will continue to matter is how this pope will be covered both by the mainstream and Catholic press going forward. Once again, news coverage of this pope often says as much about the journalists doing the coverage as it does about Pope Francis.

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An Irish Craftsman's Work Comes to Life in The Windows Of NJ's St. Vincent de Paul Church

The windows keep drawing your eyes to study the images. The telling, minute details — lines in a beard, expressions on faces — are detailed in ways that make other stained glass windows seem dull. The color palate is more brilliant - like an LED screen from the 2000s rather than the picture tube technology from the 1980s. Instead of pastel colors found in other stained glass works, these hold bold, rich jewel tones.

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How A Faithful Catholic In Congress Turned Into A Heretic

(OPINION) During his 16 years in Congress, Rep. Daniel Lipinski voted with his party 90% of the time, and his convictions never changed, especially on economic and labor issues. Nevertheless, by 2018, New York magazine had floated this headline: "House Democratic Leaders Rally to Defend Their Illinois Heretic."

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It’s time Catholics (and all Americans) examine the role of news media in society

(OPINION) A two-day conference on the current state of journalism — co-sponsored by Catholic broadcaster EWTN and Franciscan University of Steubenville — examined why objectivity has disappeared, threats to freedom of speech and the hostility some in the mainstream have towards Catholics.

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Francis’ pontificate turns 10: 5 things to know about his time as pope

Pope Francis marks his 10th year on Monday as head of the Catholic church and its 1.38 billion adherents around the globe. It’s an anniversary that will be viewed differently depending on where one falls on the doctrinal spectrum. The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was born in Argentina and is of Italian descent, was elected the 266th pope on March 13, 2013. It marked the first time a pontiff from South America has held the position.  

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‘David Beats Goliath’: Faith Coalition Celebrates Oklahoma’s Recreational Marijuana Defeat

Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana in Oklahoma outspent opponents by millions of dollars. Yet when the votes were counted Tuesday, the anti-marijuana side — backed by prominent faith leaders and law enforcement officials — prevailed.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland Testifies: What He Said Depends On Who You Read

(ANALYSIS) It’s almost always news when a public official testifies before a congressional committee. Such was the case when Attorney General Merrick Garland faced the Senate Judiciary Committee. As expected, it was an important, and often heated, four hours of testimony that was highlighted by the back-and-forth exchanges between Garland and Republican senators on the panel. You can read Garland’s opening remarks on the DOJ website. 

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God And Pot: Both Sides Cite Faith In Oklahoma’s Recreational Marijuana Fight

Nearly five years after approving medical marijuana, voters in the Bible Belt state will decide whether to expand cannabis sales and create a legal framework to expunge pot-related criminal offenses. People of faith are divided in a referendum that is drawing national attention.

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From Catholicism To ‘Jew-ish’: How George Santos Pulled Off His Religiously Intersectional Fraud

(OPINION) Santos’ intersectionality worked perfectly in a congressional district that is itself exceedingly diverse and arguably somewhat tribal. I write from experience as I lived in that district for several years and understand the dynamics firsthand. 

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Why You May Have Missed News About The FBI Memo Calling Out ‘Radical Traditionalist’ Catholics

(ANALYSIS) The politicization of American society has affected a great number of institutions. The FBI has also become politicized. This is a belief that picked up momentum during Donald Trump’s presidency, but continues to exist now. If journalism is the place that you believe should shed a light on this painful paradox, then you’d be sadly mistaken.

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5 Books About Lent That Will Help You Prepare For Easter

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts about six weeks, culminating with Easter Sunday. It is the day Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead. Ahead of the Lenten season, here are five books about this prayerful season that will prepare Christians for Easter.

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FBI Fears Faithful Catholics: These Colleges Are The Cells Of Orthodoxy

(OPINION) Apparently hoping to draw further congressional attention to its politicization, the FBI is reportedly warning of “radical traditionalist Catholics” who might become White supremacists. An FBI field office in Virginia compiled its intelligence bulletin using the discredited and professional grifting organization the Southern Poverty Law Center. It also cited an Atlantic article that referred to the rosary, a set of prayer beads, as a “weapon.”

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Is The End Of Journalistic Objectivity The Reason Catholic Church Vandalism Isn't A Big Story?

(OPINION) Old-school objectivity in journalism appears to be dead. My proof for that statement is that the ongoing vandalism of churches is a major story, but one that elite newsroom professionals have decided is a right-wing political talking point. If this isn’t a flaw in the current way journalists do things, then expect for more readers to look elsewhere for information.

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Maradona cede el trono al Messias

En varios países de América latina existe un vínculo intenso con el fútbol, pero en la Argentina esa relación es mucho más estrecha. Eso lleva a que todo lo que ocurra vinculado al fútbol sea una caja de resonancia a nivel de la sociedad muy importante.

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The Haunting Final Sermon Of Cardinal Pell

(OPINION) Cardinal George Pell had no way to know, as he rose to preach during a spiritual retreat in southern Italy, that this was his last sermon — opening with the biblical cry, “Repent, because the Kingdom of God is near.”

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Cardinal Pell’s Death Puts A Spotlight On The Catholic Church’s Future

(ANALYSIS) The Catholic Church recently lost a giant. The recent death of Cardinal George Pell at age of 81 was the literal loss of a giant — he stood at a towering 6 feet, 6 inches. But he was also a man who attracted both controversy and consternation. Now his final words regarding what he thought about Pope Francis and the direction of the church have come into fuller view since his death.

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Will Pope Francis Resign Now That Benedict XVI Has Died?

(ANALYSIS) One of my five things to watch for in 2023 included media speculation over Pope Francis’ health and speculation over his possible retirement. Within three days of that post — and prompted by the death on Dec. 31 of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95 — speculation increased once again.

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