NCR Staff

Pope's quotes: "Childhood, given its fragile nature, has unique and inalienable needs. Above all else, there is the right to a healthy and secure family environment, where a child can grow under the guidance and example of a father and a mother."

Pope's quotes: "Migration today is not a phenomenon limited to some areas of the planet. It affects all continents and is growing into a tragic situation of global proportions."

Your thoughts: In case you missed it, Pope Francis on Feb. 12 released an apostolic exhortation titled Querida Amazonia ("Beloved Amazon") responding to last October's Synod of Bishops on the Amazon.

Your thoughts on the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump and the Democratic candidates running for president.

Pope's quotes: "In a world that is unfortunately afflicted by the virus of indifference, works of mercy are the best antidote."

Your thoughts: Last month, NCR published a three-part series by National Correspondent Heidi Schlumpf that focused on Matthew Kelly, an influential Catholic author and speaker. The series looked into his life, his finances and his program for parishes.

Pope's quotes: "It is not enough to experience God's mercy in our lives. It is necessary for those who receive it also to be a sign and instrument for others."

Your thoughts: NCR readers are welcome to join the conversation and send us a letter to the editor. Below is a sampling of letters received in the month of December 2019.

Pope's quotes: "When terrorists or world powers persecute Christian minorities or Christians, they do not ask: 'Are you Lutheran? Are you Orthodox? Are you Catholic? Are you Reformed? Are you Pentecostal?' "

Francis, the comic strip: Brother Leo finds a mysterious key. 

Your thoughts: The saga of retired Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis and the question of priestly celibacy made for some interesting news a few weeks ago.

Pope's quotes: "Often we think that ecumenical work is only that of theologians. It is therefore important that theologians study, they agree, and they express their disagreement: this is very important."

Your thoughts: In two recent opinion pieces at NCR, the political aspects of the abortion debate were discussed, asking for a change in how we talk about abortion and pointing out how both sides are falling short.

Pope's quotes: "The heart of Mary, more than any other, is a humble heart, capable of accepting God's gifts."

The climate activist delivered a stern warning: "Our house is still on fire."

Your thoughts: As the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump gets underway, it's a good time to remind NCR readers that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was chosen as our 2019 Newsmaker of the Year. 

Pope's quotes: "To be able to offer thanks, to be able to praise the Lord for what He has done for us: this is important! So we can ask ourselves: Are we capable of saying 'thank you'?"

Pope's quotes: "Praying the rosary does not remove us from the problems of life. On the contrary, it demands that we immerse ourselves in the history of each day, so as to grasp the signs of Christ’s presence in our midst."

Your thoughts: Two recent NCR Connections columns by executive editor Tom Roberts highlighted thoughts on the culture of clericalism by a Jesuit priest and a former Dominican priest.

Pope's quotes: "The prayer of the rosary is, in many ways, the synthesis of the history of God's mercy, which becomes a history of salvation for all who let themselves be shaped by grace."