A recent cover story in Newsweek magazine proclaimed, “Forget the Church: Follow Jesus.” This issue contained a story by Andrew Sullivan that in essence claimed that Christianity has been destroyed by politics, priests, and get-rich evangelists.
Tag: Catholic Church
Violation of religious liberty cannot stand
Normally this column addresses state policy issues. This time it speaks to a national question — the scope of religious liberty in our national health care reform legislation.
One nation under God
On Independence Day we celebrate the anniversary of the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We also express our admiration and gratitude for the brave men who risked their lives and fortunes to sign this great document.
Bishop Paul Swain once wrote that in his judgment the most famous words related to the Declaration of Independence are, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.”
One nation under God
The Pledge of Allegiance reinforces the Declaration’s statement that God is the source of our nation’s independence. In 1952, the Knights of Columbus urged Congress to introduce a resolution to add “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. The resolution was introduced by Congressman Louis C. Rabaut of Michigan and adopted by both Houses of Congress. It was signed by President Eisenhower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.
Good fathers leave eternal marks of love
One summer evening dad and I sat on our front lawn and gazed at the field across the road.
Like a huge orange-red host, the sun sank slowly into the chalice of the earth. Its beauty inspired us.
Thoughtfully, dad said, “You know, we really don’t own anything.”
I quickly remembered the list of names on the deed to our land. Owner after owner paraded across the field of my memory. Then I realized that we were just stewards of the land. The real owner was God
This made an ordinary evening special. I felt close to dad.
Church is leading the way: In providing safe environment for children
Although we lament the horrible instances of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, we can be proud that the Catholic Church in the United States is doing all it can to understand the causes of such abuse and try to prevent it from happening in the future.
The new report released May 18 on the causes and context of sexual abuse should help further that understanding and strengthen the many efforts underway to provide a safe environment for children in the Catholic Church.
Jesus is with us in the Catholic Church
To the editor:
The author of the “Word to Life” column (Catholic Herald, October 28, 2010 issue) about the young man wishing to speak face to face with the pope missed a terrific opportunity to share with him the good news of the teaching magisterium of the Catholic Church.
To say that “Jesus is infinitely available unlike the pope” is to miss the truth that Jesus stated, “I am always with you” . . . IN his Church.
Protest high interest rates
To the editor:
Catholic Charities recently and correctly cited the horrendous poverty in American and that action needs be taken.
The Catholic Church must speak out against the American and international banks and credit card companies that are allowed to charge unreasonable interest. In the Church of the Middle Ages this was a heinous sin, called usury, that demanded punishment in hell and probably still does.
Media bias: Catholics continue to be targets
Individual Catholics and the Catholic Church itself continue to be popular targets for media bias in our country.
Whenever there is an allegation of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest, newspapers usually publish an article on the front page, while television and radio news reports lead with the story. Even if the alleged abuse happened 30 or 40 years ago, it gets prime coverage.
Catholics should not turn their backs on the Truth
To the editor:
Recently a local attorney announced in a Wisconsin State Journal letter to the editor that he had quit the Catholic Church after 22 years because he was dissatisfied about a lack of preaching the Gospel.
Health care: we are at a crossroads
Our nation is at a crossroads in the health care debate. Congress has spent many months examining various health care reform proposals. Finally our representatives and senators are expected to be voting soon on concrete pieces of legislation.