Faith Seeking Understanding

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

Donald Trump masks (Wikimedia Commons/Polylerus)

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

May 15, 2019

Faith Seeking Understanding: The ever-widening gap between Trump's self-presentation and reality has returned my attention to Merton's writings on the "true self" and the "false self."

Theologian M. Shawn Copeland, center, speaks to guests on April 26 during the Boston College conference held in her honor. (Boston College/Lee Pellegrini)

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

by Daniel P. Horan

May 1, 2019

Faith Seeking Understanding: For M. Shawn Copeland, soon to retire from Boston College, being a professor of theology is not merely a career, but a profound vocation.

We should preach about the death penalty on Good Friday

by Daniel P. Horan

Apr 17, 2019

Faith Seeking Understanding: This is the first Good Friday after Pope Francis had the catechism revised to reassert the lasting human dignity of everyone and to state the church's determination for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide.

The problematic rise of armchair theologians

by Daniel P. Horan

Apr 3, 2019

Faith Seeking Understanding: Professional theologians and ethicists have spent years studying and teaching in their fields. They are needed to help people — both lay and ordained — understand what it is we say we believe.

Columns ›

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