Just Catholic

Just Catholic is a Catholic perspective on the news—especially when the church itself becomes the news—from Phyllis Zagano.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 3. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Can the Catholic Church agree to change anything?

by Phyllis Zagano

Apr 15, 2021

Just Catholic: The "no-change" folks have a lot of clerical support. Some "change" folks continue to speak, but many walk away. But we know the church can change because it has, usually to maintain clerical power.

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass at St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad March 6, 2021. (CNS/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis' Mass in Iraq could have followed older rite

by Phyllis Zagano

Mar 9, 2021

Just Catholic: The Chaldean rite, with or without the words of institution, makes it clear that the Holy Spirit and the faith of the community create the Real Presence. But then there is the larger implication.

Pope Francis attends the first session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon Oct. 7, 2019, at the Vatican. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Women's voices necessary for genuine discernment at synods

by Phyllis Zagano

Feb 12, 2021

Just Catholic: The history of synods and councils is trying to get everyone to come to the table with genuine interest in discussion and discernment. The difference lately? Women are allowed at the table.

Supporters of President Donald Trump storm into the U.S. Capitol in Washington Jan. 6, 2021, during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 presidential election. (CNS/Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

Catholic mob rule and those who support it

by Phyllis Zagano

Jan 11, 2021

Just Catholic: There are so-called Catholic blogs, internet sites, even broadcast networks still spreading falsehoods about the results of the recent presidential election. They did their best to foment the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

Columns ›

Can the Catholic Church agree to change anything?

Pope Francis' Mass in Iraq could have followed older rite

Women's voices necessary for genuine discernment at synods

Catholic mob rule and those who support it

Time to cancel misogyny, and The Wall Street Journal

Adventures in clericalism with McCarrick and Trump

Are women involved in a toxic relationship with the church?

'Fratelli tutti' does not include women, and neither does 'fraternity'

Since the Amazon synod, what has happened to talk of synodality?

New cardinals? They'll be more of the same

The ties that bind: How the Catholic Church can respond to the cult of personality

While reopening rules get debated, the people of God starve for ministry

The end of clericalism

Two popes and a plague, just like the 14th century

It is time to ask, formally, for married priests and woman deacons

'The Two Popes' movie is better than the new 'three popes' book

After 'The Two Popes,' will the next movie be called 'The Schismatics'?

After the Amazon synod, a circus-like sideshow

Married priests and women deacons: It's about law, not doctrine

Women walking together, away from the church

People are suffering, dying; please stop the rhetoric!

Boundaries and borders serve 'us,' while all others suffer

The problem of clericalism makes transparency impossible

Women Deacons 101: Final Exam

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