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NCR Today

NCR Today is the group blog of NCR. Each member of our diverse team of bloggers writes on different topics, including the politics of the church and secular society (and the interaction between the two), culture, management of the church and more.

The Mind of Francis: International Diplomacy

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Like his two immediate predecessors, Pope Francis has no experience in international diplomacy. In the past, many popes like Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI came from the Vatican diplomatic corps. With many years of service as Vatican diplomats, these popes were comfortable as statesmen with a diplomatic roles. They already knew the Vatican line on international issues, and if they wanted to change it, they did it consciously.

Police evacuate Notre Dame Cathedral after reported suicide

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Visitors were evacuated from Notre Dame Cathedral after a man committed suicide in the 850-year-old church, police said.

News agencies reported that the man in his 70s walked up to the main altar and shot himself the afternoon of May 21 as tourists and worshippers were in the church.

France's BFMTV reported the man was writer and essayist Dominique Venner, who was identified as a conservative who was a staunch opponent of same-sex marriage. The news outlet said a suicide note was found next to his body.

The value of community in today's 'everyone-is-special' America

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The tension between individual freedom and community responsibility may be hitting its tipping point — with community tilting into the winner’s column.

This contrast has always existed in American society but the Great Recession has put it into sharp focus: How do we respond to tough times? Are we individual actors who find our way alone, or do we pull together?

A Case of Mistaken Identity With Benefits

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As I've traveled around  the country asking questions about American religion recently, I've been hearing something that may fleetingly imply a surprising trend among American sisters. 

It's a matter of hearing a word that sounds like another word with a different spelling, something linguists call a homophone. For real.

So I'll be interviewing someone who seems to make a claim that Catholic sisters are growing rapidly. The comment rattles me for a moment until I remember to unscramble the puzzle.

Francis speaks of church harmony, service to the poor

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 Speaking before a packed St. Peter's Square on Pentecost, Pope Francis Sunday, once again stressed the need "to go out" of the church and to serve the poor. 

He made his remarks in off the cuff comments during a homily on always being prepared for the new, on living the faith in diversity and harmony with the church, and on going out to live and preach the faith. These, he said, are characteristics of a life of the Spirit. 

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In This Issue

June 7-20, 2013

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