Faith Seeking Understanding

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

Synodality isn't just an option, it's the only way to be church

Nov 13, 2019

A broader sense of synodality is about proper recognition of the place of all the baptized faithful in the prudential discernment about church decision-making and governance. It is what the church might look like at its best.

St. John Henry Newman would approve of synod's final document

by Daniel P. Horan

Oct 30, 2019

Newman's theological corpus presciently lays a foundation for the kind of discussions about and development of theology and church discipline seen as most contentious in recent months.

In his letter on racism, Seitz gets right what US bishops got wrong

by Daniel P. Horan

Oct 16, 2019

Faith Seeking Understanding: In addition to the directly identifying white supremacy and engaging with key theologians in the field, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz's pastoral letter not only names the sin of racism but also names the sinners.

The decolonial and intercultural hopes of the pan-Amazon synod

by Daniel P. Horan

Oct 2, 2019

Faith Seeking Understanding: While media attention in the coming weeks will inevitably be preoccupied with those issues seen as most contentious and controversial at the synod, another kind of history-making shift may be underway shaping how the church understands itself and engages other traditions.

Columns ›

Synodality isn't just an option, it's the only way to be church

St. John Henry Newman would approve of synod's final document

In his letter on racism, Seitz gets right what US bishops got wrong

The decolonial and intercultural hopes of the pan-Amazon synod

Beyond the 'birdbath industrial complex' is the radical St. Francis of Assisi

Climate change is the most important life issue today

Sr. Helen Prejean's 'River of Fire' a wellspring of wisdom for all Christians

America is addicted to guns, and we're in denial

The church needs to be better at helping us be better Christians

Bishops and priests need more range

What's the path to true dialogue about gender in the church?

Confronting the 'monarchy of fear' with spiritual resistance

Going on pilgrimage, religious or secular, is important

Thomas Merton's counsel for Donald Trump (and the rest of us)

M. Shawn Copeland's retirement is a time to celebrate this friend of God

We should preach about the death penalty on Good Friday

The problematic rise of armchair theologians

The church is suffering from Holy Spirit atheism

Francis of Assisi's model for church reform may help in the abuse crisis

The bishops' letter fails to recognize that racism is a white problem

Speaking out on drug war, Philippine bishops model contrition, courage

Young people deserve to hear directly from Pope Francis on synod

Make the Catholic Church great again? There's no going back