As part of my documentary about women in the Church, this week I followed Sr. Helen Prejean as she she worked to save the life of Richard Glossip, a man on death row in Oklahoma. The week began on a grim note. Richard’s execution was only a few days away and there seemed to be no ...read more

“Nobody writes better about the lives of the saints than Robert Ellsberg,” according to spiritual writer Ron Rolheiser.  He’s not alone.  Robert Ellsberg, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Orbis Books, has compiled an eclectic cloud of witnesses in his new book “Blessed Among Us: Day to Day with Saintly Witnesses,” published by Liturgical Press. What’s most ...read more

At the canonization mass for Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, Pope Francis spoke of the latter with these words: “In his own service to the People of God, John Paul II was the pope of the family. We are now in the process of journeying with families towards the Synod on the family. ...read more

After announcing 13 new cardinals two weeks ago, the Pope presided over the canonization mass of seven blessed on Sunday, October 16, 2016, in front of 80,000 people, who filled St. Peter’s Square for the occasion. Speaking of the new saints, during his homily, the pontiff said the saints are men and women who enter fully into the ...read more

On October 9, 2016, Pope Francis announced the creation of 17 new cardinals to take place next November at the Vatican, on the eve of the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis has said before that being selected to become a cardinal is not a sign of honour but one of service. ...read more

Sunday morning in St. Peter’s Square, before a crowd of nearly 80,000 people, Pope Francis presided over Holy Mass for the canonization of seven new Saints. José Sánchez del Río (Mexico); Salomon Leclercq(France); José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero (Argentina); Manuel González García (Spain); Lodovico Pavoni (Italy); Alfonso Maria Fusco (Italy) and Elizabeth of the Trinity (France). Below ...read more

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism. Airing on Salt+Light! ...read more

Even if we disagree on the actual causes for climate change, we can agree that it’s taking place. But, do we agree of what we can do to help? What does the Church say? Is there a solution to climate change? To offer a suggestion, on this new episode of the Weekly Edition of Perspectives, ...read more

Last week we learned how the idea of Liberation Theology became an ideology, but saw how, officially, the Church did not condemn it, per se as a theology. This can be seen in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith document Instruction on Certain Aspects of the Theology of Liberation, issued in 1984 and signed ...read more

Last week, writing about Mary in the Americas, made me think of how this idea of liberation (or freedom) has a particular meaning for those living in the Americas, probably dating as far back as when Christopher Columbus first arrived in 1492. It definitely took a particular meaning during the late 70s and 80s. That’s ...read more