Priestly Diary

Formerly a parish priest, Fr. Peter Daly writes about living the faith while trying to be open to the world around us.

Houses in New Orleans are seen under water Sept. 5, 2005, after Hurricane Katrina swept through Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. (CNS/Reuters/Allen Fredrickson)

Hurricane Katrina brought out the best in us

Sep 7, 2021

Disasters like Hurricanes Ida and Katrina are horrible, but they can have good results. They can bring us together. They can help us find our mission and meaning. They can break down the old barriers and establish new bonds.

The Eucharist rests upon a paten on an altar in a cathedral. (CNS/Chaz Muth)

Priests' group objects to 'camouflaged' use of Eucharist as a weapon

by Fr. Peter Daly

Jun 15, 2021

Priestly Diary: The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests issued a statement that objected "to any use of the Eucharist as a political weapon whether manifest or camouflaged." The operative word: "camouflaged."

Why this priest decided to unplug

by Fr. Peter Daly

Apr 30, 2021

Priestly Diary: We Catholics have a long tradition of the spiritual retreat, something I think that should not just be an occasional event but a permanent approach to living.

The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington Jan. 28 behind steel fencing topped with razor wire. (CNS/Reuters/Leah Millis)

What happened at the Capitol was not civil disobedience

by Fr. Peter Daly

Feb 15, 2021

Priestly Diary: In 1971, I was arrested at the U.S. Capitol. My protest was ethically different from the acts of terror at the Capitol last month. Both actions took place in the same building. There the similarity ends.

Columns ›

Hurricane Katrina brought out the best in us

Priests' group objects to 'camouflaged' use of Eucharist as a weapon

Why this priest decided to unplug

What happened at the Capitol was not civil disobedience

McCarrick report shows former cardinal's character: ambitious, brazen, untouchable

Honoring Barr this year, National Catholic Prayer Breakfast is so clearly a political event

I'm done with the Knights of Columbus

My 'death box' has both practical and spiritual purpose

The church can offer courage, experience during this pandemic

D.C.'s quiet emphasizes value of community and consolation

Goodbye, climbers! We need to restore servant leadership in the priesthood

Bransfield extreme, but most US bishops have no meaningful spending controls

Confronting causes of clericalism: original sin, institutional dynamics

Tackle clericalism first when attempting priesthood reform

Celibacy advances the priesthood's culture of compromised truths

The priesthood is being crucified on the cross of celibacy

Before I take on clericalism, I will say: I love being a priest

We want to see humility, action, but I'm not expecting anything like that from the bishops

Clerical cronyism and secrecy shielded McCarrick and others

Confrontation time: Cardinal McCarrick and me in 2002

With McCarrick scandal, #MeToo arrives for the church

CLINIC is lifeline for immigrants and refugees

As a Catholic Charities volunteer, I head into immigration law thicket

Mary Dwan was the best that our Catholic Church can produce

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