Catholic World Report – Global Church news and views

The Dispatch

“Don’t take refuge in escapism”: Pope Francis discusses COVID-19 and life under lockdown

In an interview with papal biographer Austen Ivereigh, published today at Commonweal, Pope Francis gave some details about his life under the COVID-19 lockdown, and [...]
The Dispatch

Psalm 102: Prayer to the Eternal King for Help

Editor’s note: This is the fifth essay in a series on The Seven Penitential Psalms. 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to [...]
The Dispatch

Some thoughts on the Catholic coronavirus controversies

The coronavirus pandemic shows no sign of abating as this is written, but it’s none too soon to start thinking about what we have already [...]
The Dispatch

Pope Francis establishes new commission to study women deacons

Vatican City, Apr 8, 2020 / 06:30 am (CNA).- The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis has created a new commission to study the question [...]
The Dispatch

Embracing the kind of redeemer God appointed

The Gospel readings of Lent remind us that opposition to Jesus and his mission frequently grew out of the desire for a redeemer who was [...]

Psalm 51: Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

Essay

Peter M.J. Stravinskas April 7, 2020 2

Editor’s note: This is the fourth essay in a series on The Seven Penitential Psalms. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. [...]

Justice, finally.

Analysis

George Weigel April 6, 2020 88

The unanimous decision by Australia’s High Court to quash a guilty verdict and enter a verdict of “acquitted” in the case of Pell vs. The Queen reverses both the incomprehensible trial conviction of Cardinal George [...]

Essay

Observing Holy Week during the coronavirus pandemic

Father Seán Connolly April 6, 2020 0

Gazing out upon my empty parish church these past weeks has reminded me of the lamentations of the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. When thinking of their home in the holy city of Jerusalem [...]

Essay

Three quarantine lessons on the sacraments and God’s abundant grace

Nicholas Senz April 4, 2020 11

With the suspension of public celebration of the sacraments across the country (and indeed, in many parts of the world), most of the faithful have been without the Eucharist and Confession for weeks. This situation, [...]

Analysis

The older form of the Roman rite is alive and well

Dom Alcuin Reid April 3, 2020 17

Ending an after-dinner speech in an Oxford College refectory at a week-long training conference for priests wishing to learn how to celebrate the usus antiquior (the more ancient use) of the Roman rite in the [...]

Essay

Abigail Adams in a Time of Pestilence

Edward Short April 1, 2020 9

“Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” — John 11:40 “I set myself down to write with a Heart depressed with the Melancholy Scenes around me,” [...]

Opinion

The shepherds we need—or the shepherds I want?

Fr. Charles Fox March 30, 2020 59

Our bishops hold offices of great authority, their words, actions, and decisions are public, and they are human—the very worst thing you can be if you want to avoid criticism. And many bishops, like many [...]

Essay

Recourse made once again to Mary, Salus Populi Romani

Father Seán Connolly March 28, 2020 7

Perhaps no man ascended to the throne of St. Peter in more difficult circumstances than Pope Gregory, who is most justly called “the Great”. When he became pope in 590, the city of Rome lay [...]

Making sense and staying sane in the age of anxiety

James Kalb March 2, 2020 24

People have become extraordinarily anxious. The situation is most extreme among political progressives. Surveys show that political and social attitudes among conservatives have mostly been rather stable in recent years, but among liberals they have been [...]
Love, Loyalty, and Justice

James Kalb February 2, 2020 7
The fundamental crisis of contemporary culture and the wisdom of St. Thomas

Joseph G. Trabbic January 27, 2020 20