In the latest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, 007 uncovers a powerful criminal organization’s plot to take control of the world’s most important natural resource: water. Bond launches into a mission to stop the villain from getting control of Bolivia’s water supply (and, coincidentally, avenge the death of his love, Vesper Lind… but that’s ...read more

[The following lecture by Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver, was delivered on Tuesday morning, February 24, 2009, to a large gathering of Catholic Business Leaders and public officials at St. Paul’s Basilica in downtown Toronto. It was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Salt and Light Catholic Television Network, ...read more

[The following lecture by Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver, was delivered on Monday evening, February 23, 2009, to a standing-room only audience in St. Basil’s Collegiate Church on the campus of the University of Toronto. It was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Toronto, Salt + Light Catholic Television Network, the ...read more

This morning, I had to leave my house at 5:45 am (not just get up at 5:45, but leave my house at 5:45), which is very, very unusual for me. I can barely get up before 8 am most days! I wanted to go to the Mass and Breakfast for Catholic Business Leaders in the ...read more

This morning, I asked my colleagues at H2Onews how they celebrated Carnival, the Italian pre-Lenten festival. They shrugged their shoulders. Similarly, I don’t know many Canadians who strictly observe our Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition. Worldwide, I’m guessing that the majority of us can’t find time to party before Ash Wednesday arrives. Still, signs of Carnival ...read more

I surprised even myself by succeeding to catch the 7 AM train on Sunday.  I had woken up at 5:30 AM to do so, knowing that this was my only opportunity to reach the little-known island of Ponza. The ferry website listed just one boat departing from the seaside town of Anzio each morning. My ...read more

Earlier this week I spoke with Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski at an Acton Institute-sponsored event at Rome’s Pontifical Antonianum University. The “State Financing of Catholic Schools” conference asked whether, as an extension of the recognized right to education in accord with conscience, governments were obliged to make alternative religious schools accessible to parents who can’t afford ...read more

Imagine you have a special needs child. Maybe they have Downs syndrome, maybe they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, maybe they have Autism. Now imagine that you still want this child to learn about the faith, the faith that led you to keep them when doctors advised not to, or perhaps the faith that led ...read more

Church observers on the state of religious freedom in China were watching carefully last week as The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva conducted two days of hearings on China’s human rights record. Many human rights activists were hoping that Beijing might make some concessions even though its government is not required to follow ...read more

For weeks stores have been plastered with gushy greeting cards, displays of heart-shaped boxes brimming with chocolates, and little fuzzy bears with cheeky comments on t-shirts. Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day, and though refreshing, I’m not exactly sure if a bag of cinnamon hearts entirely embodies what love is. This weekend Salt + Light offers viewers ...read more