fbpx

Category: Commentary

Will the USCCB embrace a synodal path?

Readers of Where Peter Is are probably aware by now of the controversies surrounding the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which is currently considering putting into place a national policy on the reception of communion by political figures...

Vatican II: A Failed Council?

On May 3, Crisis Magazine published an article by Eric Sammons titled “Moving Beyond Vatican II.” In it, Sammons argues that it is time to stop arguing for or against the second Vatican Council. He suggests that it is time...

Christian charity in the new phase of the pandemic

On Thursday, May 13, the CDC announced new public health guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals in the United States. During a press conference, CDC director Rochelle Walensky announced that Americans who are vaccinated can safely gather outdoors and indoors without...

When catechesis fails young Catholics

The Church often asks, “Why are young people leaving?” But it usually comes up with the wrong answers. “They left because they did not take the trouble to learn about their faith,” or, “secular society drew them away.” However, one...

Why We Can’t Dismiss the Trauma of Abuse

“Don’t leave Jesus because of Judas.” “Don’t let Satan get between you and the Church.” “Put your faith in Christ, not in men.” Quite often, when a Catholic expresses anguish, disappointment, or spiritual disillusionment over revelations of sexual abuse by...

Fear of Hell or the Joy of the Gospel?

If hell is empty, as some hope, does this fundamentally alter our evangelical zeal? Paul Krause, writing for Crisis Magazine, thinks so. He argues that without a recognition of what Christ has saved us “from,” then we risk completely misunderstanding...

Political Divisions and the Path to Unity

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, the Preacher to the Papal Household, did not mince words during his homily on Good Friday this year. “Fraternity among Catholics is wounded! Divisions between Churches have torn Christ’s tunic to shreds, and worse still, each shredded...

The worst kind of dissent

In the recent weeks, there has been some debate at Where Peter Is (among the contributors, in the comments, and on social media) about the similarities and differences between dissent on the so-called right and left wings of the Church....

Dishonest Dissent on the Catholic Left

My recent piece about dissent on the so-called “Catholic right” has generated a bit of a buzz. In the piece, I argue that dissent from what is described colloquially as the Catholic “right” is uniquely dangerous because it presents itself...

Catholic Media and Critical Thinking

Around a decade ago, after being deeply inspired by Pope Benedict XVI and his work—especially Jesus of Nazareth, his masterful three-volume exploration of the life and ministry of Our Lord—I craved to know more and learn more about the faith....