The morning after...

 

As the nation is abuzz from last night’s election, we Roman Catholics have something to buzz about:  We have changed the way we voted from previous elections.  Data on Catholic voting pattern show that Catholics voted differently in previous national elections, with the most significant change being in the last presidential election.

 

As we go to the polls to cast our ballots for a new round of leaders in our cities, states, and nation, we Catholics are challenged to thing big, for our tradition reminds us that we are of one human family.  From the very first verse of Genesis to the Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council, we are called to consider the larger--as well as the local--implications of our voting, legislative,

 

LaSalle University sophomore Chris McNabb, Fordham University senior Dan Blaine, and DeSales University freshmen Tim Gallagher and Nick Schenk retreated to explore more deeply where the Lord

This weekend is the last before Tuesday’s election, where our Church leaders have reminded us that so much is at stake, especially the gospel values of justice and peace that Jesus preached.  

 

As we go into the voting booth or cast our absentee ballot for those away at school, we have a responsibility to inform our conscience that guides our voting choices.  The Church has a number of

Madonna’s theatrics during her recent concert tour have understandably drawn some criticism from Church officials.  Yet, her recent efforts to adopt an African child, albeit controversial, has drawn recognition from our leaders for highlighting the plight of the grave injustices that millions of innocent people confront daily.

 

Timing is everything, the saying goes.  

 

 

In its editorial, Commonweal’s staff tackles the priest shortage and challenges all of us in the Church to

Today marked the closing of the symposium on the study of Experiences of Priests Ordained Five to Nine Years.  This morning was the highlight, for it featured a candidate conversation among participants that included:

 

--a bishop admitting that members of the episcopacy may be too insecure to delegate necessary matters to others.

 

--a finding that seminaries are “ordaining” only 35%-45% of the

Greetings from Louville, Kentucky, where I am participating in a symposium on a major study on the priesthood by CUA’s Dean Hoge that is summarized and discussed in his latest book, Experiences of Priests Ordained Five to Nine Years.  

 

The symposium has gathered bishops, seminary personnel, diocesan officials, and vocation ministers to discuss what is necessary to strengthen the priesthood,