Daniel P. Horan

"This teaching document draws from and supports a more fundamental Christian doctrine: the inherent goodness of creation generally and our own materiality in particular," writes Daniel P. Horan.

The Christian tradition is inherently a storytelling religion. And from the earliest days of the experimental Franciscan way of life, people told striking stories about what was unfolding in the town of Assisi.

"There is something inherently dehumanizing about seeking to monetize every facet of life, every possible circumstantial outcome," writes Daniel P. Horan.

"Perhaps, dogs (and other nonhuman animals) are already ahead of us in terms of their relationships with other members of the divine community of creation and with God, too," writes Daniel P. Horan.

 "We (should) reflect deeply on our individual and collective roles in promoting a culture of death and denying the human rights and intrinsic dignity of those (serving) in our penal institutions," writes Daniel P. Horan.

Ecclesiastical disobedience is not to be taken lightly nor used as justification for selfish interest. But as Francis of Assisi's life bears witness, there may be times when one has to choose the Gospel above all else.

"Christian hope is nothing like optimism or the unfounded conviction that 'everything will work out fine,' " writes Daniel P. Horan.

 Columnist Daniel P. Horan shares the two songs that have accompanied him through the Winter Games: John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" and singer-songwriter Jason Mraz's "Beautiful Mess."

The DDF's prefect, notes Daniel Horan, "specifically mentions 'listening to others' and 'opening ourselves to other points of view' while affirming the need to 'pay attention' to those at the peripheries."

Rather than embrace ongoing, lifelong conversion in faith and knowledge, some politicians and religious leaders choose to stunt their moral and intellectual growth, writes Daniel Horan.

The story of St. Francis of Assisi teaches us that conversion is lifelong, dynamic and ongoing. He was an ordinary Christian who opened himself up to Christ's invitation to take the baptismal call more seriously.

A recognition of our shared capacity for the divine could instill in us a renewed reverence for the dignity of life in our glorious diversity, informing dialogue across differences.

This is truly a season of "already, not yet" when Christ is already present to us in the poor and vulnerable, but we have not yet embraced Christ's call to love one another with the radical love of God.

We need more candidates and campaigns like we saw last week, writes Dan Horan. As we turn our attention to the 2026 midterm elections, the common good depends on it. 

Too many people who hold political office today throw around words like "faith" and "Christianity" and "values," yet support dehumanizing practices that not only fail to love one's neighbor but also cause great harm.

Dan Horan reflects on the legacy of the well-loved podcast "WTF With Marc Maron," particularly the way its comedian host modeled vulnerability in discussion and sincere interest in others.

Reflecting on Pope Leo's recent comment in an interview, Daniel Horan suggests we look to history for the ways in which changing attitudes did eventually result in changing doctrine.

Dan Horan reviews theologian Hanna Reichel's For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional, a book that arrived by sheer coincidence of timing, or direct act of divine providence, an answer to unspoken prayers.

We might take the Season of Creation as an opportunity not only for an examination of conscience, but also a time to meditate on war and peace in the human community, the cosmic community of creation and even in our own hearts.

This year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's composition of the 'Canticle of the Creatures.' It's time we look harder at the radical theological vision of creation it contains.