Daniel P. Horan

It can be difficult to acknowledge the presence of Advent, let alone take any time to reflect on its meaning. Fr. Dan Horan returns to two of Thomas Merton's essays to renew our understanding of the liturgical season.

In addition to his works on prayer and contemplation, Thomas Merton's lesser-known writing on nonviolence, Christian life, contemporary virtues and racial justice may be just what we need today, writes Fr. Dan Horan.

Before the close of this year's synod session, Pope Francis restated what the church is at its core and, in doing so, denounced a church governed by clericalism.

When overwhelmed by the magnitude of global violence, Dan Horan returns to an essay by Thomas Merton: "The Root of War Is Fear."

Laudate Deum reads like the treatises of the early Christian theologians who sought to articulately defend the fundamentals of Christian faith against cultural and religious skepticism or hostility. 

The term "ecophobia" gives us a lens through which to view the human behavior that has harmed the rest of creation, writes Dan Horan. 

On Oct. 4, Pope Francis is scheduled to release a new apostolic exhortation on the environment. In the meantime, writes Fr. Dan Horan, we would all do well to revisit the teachings of Laudato Si'.

Fr. Daniel P. Horan asks: What if, instead of running away from the discomfort and difficult subjects necessary to be a well-educated citizen, moral person and good community member, we sought out those challenging educational opportunities on purpose?

"Ted Lasso," "The Bear" and the upcoming "Ahsoka" are on Fr. Daniel Horan's summer watching list, but he is aware that these shows are created by people who deserve a fairer profit in the age of streaming platforms.

Fr. Daniel P. Horan says that while he was watching "Oppenheimer," he had to remind himself that this was not a scary work of fiction, but an even more frightening reality. 

With the arrival of the new app Threads, columnist Fr. Daniel Horan recommends Catholics consider the Vatican's recent document about how to engage on social media platforms.

Rather than let others speak for transgender persons, you can listen to their own stories, starting with two recently published memoirs, both of which columnist Fr. Daniel Horan has read.

The actor who portrayed the "assistant to the regional manager" on the comedy show "The Office" has some surprisingly insightful spiritual thoughts in his new book, Soul Boom, says Fr. Daniel Horan.

Two 13th century saints' practice of 'evangelical poverty' may contain a key for addressing white supremacy today, says columnist Fr. Daniel P. Horan.

The Gospels clearly say to love your neighbor, not shoot your neighbor, says Daniel P. Horan.

Fr. Daniel Horan reminds those marking Earth Day to take time for an ecospirituality that finds God in our "common home"

Reading (or, at times, even praying) poetry can take us out of the hustle and bustle of modern life with its nonstop demands and distractions.

The bishops' doctrinal note not only denies the reality of transgender, nonbinary and intersex persons, but compounds the harm experienced by already very vulnerable people, says columnist Daniel P. Horan.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit is calling us to embrace a larger paradigm shift, says columnist Franciscan Fr. Daniel Horan.

The Holy Spirit is in charge of the synodal process, but the question is whether we are willing to be led, or have to be driven and pushed into the process, says Fr. Daniel Horan.