Fr. Peter Daly is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and has been pastor of St. John Vianney parish in Prince Frederick, Md., since 1994. For almost 20 years, Daly wrote a column for Catholic News Service that went to diocesan publications. He has also written for The Washington Post, Catholic Digest, Reader's Digest, the ABA Journal, and other local publications. He has a 20-pound cat named Russell.
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Column
The church can offer courage, experience during this pandemic
Priestly Diary: Like the Black Plague, COVID-19 will probably have some long-term impact on the Catholic Church. I suspect that it will accelerate two seemingly contradictory trends.
Column
D.C.'s quiet emphasizes value of community and consolation
Priestly Diary: Not much is moving around me in Washington, in this season of coronavirus. What is it that the church can offer now in this time of isolation? Spiritual wisdom.
Column
Goodbye, climbers! We need to restore servant leadership in the priesthood
Priestly Diary: Ambition is one of the worst and most destructive features of clericalism. It is time to take all the vestiges of the Papal States to the junk yard.
Column
Bransfield extreme, but most US bishops have no meaningful spending controls
Priestly Diary: What can be done about this clerical culture of excess? Pope Francis is doing a lot by his example, but here is where the laity can have a real impact.