Faith Seeking Understanding

Franciscan Fr. Daniel P. Horan writes about politics, culture and theology in this column that appears twice a month.

A rare earth open-pit mine is pictured Jan. 30, 2020, in Mountain Pass, California. The encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for our Common Home" encourages "a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet." (CNS/Reuters/Steve Marcus)

But who or what do you say creation is? It's us too.

Sep 15, 2021

Faith Seeking Understanding: With this past Sunday's Gospel, I found myself reflecting on the question Jesus poses to his disciples about his own identity. I imagined what God might ask us about our own identity and that of the rest of creation.

Pete, 9, a transgender minor, holds a banner as he takes part in a protest to mark LGBT Pride Day in Madrid, June 28. (CNS/Reuters/Sergio Perez)

Recent transphobic statements from bishops make truth claims without facts

by Daniel P. Horan

Sep 1, 2021

Faith Seeking Understanding: What is starkly missing from these bishops' statements and similar transphobic remarks by church leaders in recent years is any encounter with transgender persons themselves.

Miami's skyline is seen before the arrival of Hurricane Irma Sept. 9, 2017.

What will it take to accept the truth about global climate change?

by Daniel P. Horan

Aug 18, 2021

Faith Seeking Understanding: Whatever the cause of some peoples' refusal to accept the truth, persisting down the path of inaction, the new climate report offers those with "eyes to see and ears to hear" a grim reality check.

St. Francis of Assisi stained glass window (Wikimedia Commons/Jim McIntosh)

Four Franciscan practices to help us 'see differently'

by Daniel P. Horan

Aug 4, 2021

Faith Seeking Understanding: In their book Seeing Differently, three Anglican Franciscans return to the roots of the spiritual tradition of St. Francis to recover a vision of creation that is grounded in the Gospel.

Columns ›

But who or what do you say creation is? It's us too.

Recent transphobic statements from bishops make truth claims without facts

What will it take to accept the truth about global climate change?

Four Franciscan practices to help us 'see differently'

Global climate change is also a spiritual crisis

Thomas Merton's wisdom for a church in crisis

The church's complicity in dehumanizing the LGBTQ community in Ghana

Pentecost is a time to remember the Holy Spirit's presence throughout all creation

Franciscan spiritual wisdom to navigate the 'digital continent'

Slowing down, seeing anew: the spiritual benefits of film photography

Why the church should fight anti-transgender legislation

Death penalty, pandemic: celebrating the scandalous relevance of 2021's Holy Week

Some church things shouldn't return to 'normal' after the pandemic

The anonymous Christianity of 'Ted Lasso'

Let's go back to basics for Lent during this pandemic year

US bishops could learn a lot from St. Óscar Romero

The church teaches that purpose of government is the common good. Period.

Turn to St. Angela of Foligno for spiritual guidance in the new year

Christmas is about celebrating the humanity of God

Biden administration's climate agenda reflects spirit of Laudato Si'

My reluctant gratitude for technology this Thanksgiving

The audacious return of hope

We can only move forward if we acknowledge 'dangerous memories'

Australian bishops get it right on mental health

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