Wieseltier's Magnificent Commencement Address
Now published at The New Republic, my friend Leon Wieseltier's magnificent commencement address at Brandeis, a stirring defense of the humanities and civilization.
Distinctly Catholic
Welcome to Distinctly Catholic, a blog by Michael Sean Winters that examines politics, religion and the estuary where the two meet, all from a distinctively Catholic point of view. The blog is small "c" catholic as well as big "C" Catholic, examining a wide range of issues but always from the perspective of Catholic history and theology.
Those Pesky Poor People
The NRA & Planned Parenthood
Over at Religion & Politics, Fordham's Michael Peppard has a smart, tough piece comparing the recent political activities of the National Rifle Association and Planned Parenthood. "[T]hey do share a troubling characteristic. Both reject reasonable limitations on the particular liberty for which they advocate. In so doing, they disregard the well-regulated liberties that vast majorities of our country desire," Peppard open and proceeds to make the case.
EWTN & Immigration
I was stunned the other night to see a replay of EWTN’s “The World Over” that featured Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana talking about immigration reform. For a network that pledges itself to defending the Church’s teaching, the choice of Vitter seemed more than a little curious.
Silk on +Myers
As is so often the case, Mark Silk at RNS says what needs to be said, this time on Archbishop John Myers op-ed over the weekend trying to put a damper on any sense that he might be responsible for the Fr. Fugee case.
NYC Archdiocese & Contraception
You can almost hear the anti-clericals panting, ready to hurl the epithet "hypocrite" at New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan after The New York Times reported that the archdiocese of New York already covers contraception in some of its insurance policies. The epithet is misplaced.
Gang of 8 Sticks Together
In this morning's Washington Post, a report on how the Gang of 8 senators who negotiated the bipartisan immigration reform bill are holding together, and strategizing together, to keep the bill moving forward.
"Open the Doors"
The Holy Father delivered a remarkable sermon last Saturday at his morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. We do not get full texts of these sermons, many of which have been stunning, but Vatican Radio gives the highlights. Here is a link to last Saturday's Vatican Radio report.
The sermon has several remarkable sections. Let us start with this:
Crazed Chatter From Alex Jones
Conservative radio talk show host Alex Jones has a new conspiracy theory: The government is secretly using "weather weapons" to create bad weather that will help them enact climate change policies, or something like that. Just when you think the right can't get any crazier....
Boys Scouts to Admit Gay Kids
In the Washington Post, Michelle Boorstein has a round up of reaction among religious leaders to the Boy Scouts' decision to end its ban on gay youngsters joining the group.
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In This Issue
June 7-20, 2013
- Pope spotlights social teaching with blunt calls for ethical economy
- We face clear moral choices in priorities of our federal budget
- Mother Tekla: the most powerful woman in Rome
- [Print Edition Only] Special Section: Ministries PREVIEW
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