Pat Perriello

Pat Perriello, a retired educator from the Baltimore City Public Schools, served as the coordinator of Guidance and Counseling Services and an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University. He is a former seminarian from St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. Pat has long been interested in religion and politics and is currently concerned about the direction of the institutional church as well as the state of politics in the country.

Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 21 (CNS/Paul Haring)

The church has picked up too much baggage over the centuries

NCR Today: Power and wealth became driving forces that caused the church to lose focus on the message of Jesus. As we celebrate his resurrection, we need to return to the Gospels.

What will this country be like after four more years of President Trump?

No one from the past who came back to see this country in 2024 would recognize our stance on the world stage.

To impeach or not impeach

One could argue there is strong evidence to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. But the question has to be asked: To what end? What would be accomplished?

A woman demonstrates inside the headquarters of the Benedictine order in Rome Feb. 22 during a four-day meeting on the protection of minors in the church at the Vatican. (CNS/Reuters/Yara Nardi)

Will anything change after the Vatican meeting on abuse?

NCR Today: The divisiveness at the Vatican's conference to address sex abuse by priests does not bode well for progress. But a recent report in the U.S. offers some first steps.

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks Jan. 21 in Washington at the National Action Network Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast. (Wikimedia Commons/AFGE)

Democratic Party needs Joe Biden to run for president

NCR Today: There is a need for a moderate lane to put Trumpism behind us. Biden can appeal to portions of the electorate needed to win, without alienating more progressive voters.

We need to ensure there are no more government shutdowns

Congress has three weeks to reach a deal that the president will sign, or the government could shut down again. I feel confident in saying that is not going to happen. 

The church needs Vatican III

NCR Today: What does the Catholic Church seem unable to acknowledge? There is something wrong with our church. Significant change needs to occur.

Open the government, release the 'hostages'

NCR Today: Currently 800,000 American workers are being held hostage by their government. Millions more are deeply impacted by the shutdown.

Women's March on Washington, Jan. 20, 2018 (Wikimedia Commons/Ted Eytan)

Impeachment is a process, and it is already underway

NCR Today: Investigations and legal challenges to this president and his administration continue. Perhaps our Founding Fathers knew what they were doing when they wrote the Constitution.

Light a candle in the darkness

NCR Today: It is too easy to look at religious institutions and religious leaders today and see everything that is wrong with Christianity as we see it practiced.

A new level of information on Trump validates action

NCR Today: We have moved to a new level on information we know about Trump. Pressure is growing on Democrats to begin impeachment proceedings.

Trumpism may not be here to stay after all

NCR Today: Some intriguing signs have me feeling a cautious note of optimism about the future of our country. It is difficult to see how President Donald Trump could be reelected in 2020.

With failed Baltimore meeting, the church is at a stalemate

Indecision and uncertainty are not friends of Pope Francis right now. Why would he want to appear reticent to move on an issue that endangers his entire papacy?

In the face of sex abuse, the church should rethink the sacrament of reconciliation

NCR Today: The church's practice of confession offers an opportunity for the clergy to acknowledge their complicity in the sins of the crisis and seek forgiveness from God in front of the whole Christian community. 

Voters mark their ballots at Assumption Catholic Church in Los Angeles during the midterm elections Nov. 6. (CNS/EPA/Mike Nelson)

What did we learn from the midterms' split decision?

NCR Today: It is not a time for Democrats to be purists. When one considers how divided the country is, it makes no sense to insist on getting everything you want.

Your midterm election vote is critical

NCR Today: The midterm congressional elections are just a few days away. Early voting has begun in many states. Unfortunately, very little of substance is being said by candidates.

Should Catholics celebrate Kavanaugh's elevation to Supreme Court?

NCR Today: U.S. bishops led a novena in connection with Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings. May I suggest the bishops consider initiating novenas for some other issues?

Kavanaugh's confirmation leaves us with a divided country

NCR Today: What is needed is someone who can begin the process of bringing a divided nation together again in the 2020 election.

The crisis in the White House is heading for denouement

A climax is building in the Trump presidency. Regardless of the outcome of the mid-term elections, it seems likely that dramatic events will be occurring faster than one can imagine.

(Pixabay/msandersmusic)

Could reform of the church mean schism?

NCR Today: This group of traditionalist clerics has opened a chasm in the church, and my impression is they will not be satisfied by anything less than total capitulation.

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