Catholics in the U.S. are ensnared in a political binary, but as Cardinal Michael Czerny of the Vatican dicastery for integral human development explains, church teaching about the human person can show a way forward.
Distinctly Catholic: These bright, loving priests have given their lives to the happy task of channeling God's grace and, what is more difficult, helping the rest of us notice the grace that is already at work.
Appreciation: Jim Serritella, chief counsel and legal adviser to the Chicago Archdiocese for nearly a half century, summed up his advice in 10 words: "The church acts best when it acts as a church."
Commentary: The McCarrick report trains a forensic lens on the religious monarchy's secrecy-addled system of promotions and justice. For journalists, the document is a goldmine.
Commentary: Pope John Paul II's actions in the McCarrick report warrant condemnation today. Yet the report establishes that what he did was not extraordinary at the time; it was expected within the culture.
The Vatican's report on the rise of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick will likely contain the names of people who were directly involved in his success and others who were ancillary but influential. NCR has assembled short biographical sketches of some of the more major figures.
Commentary: If we are consistent in our defense of human life, we cannot be a comfortable Democrat or Republican. The consistent ethic embraces many complex issues in a slow-moving political system where Catholics do not have the last word.
Commentary: I am a pro-life Catholic. But before you put me in an ideological box and assume you know who I will vote for in November, let me complicate the issue.
