The commentator of a program I watched on television recently started with a very interesting observation.  The program he was introducing recounted the 40,000 years of humanity and how religion has always provided us with a way of believing and belonging.  But, he started the program by noting that some people today are trying to do something that no known society has ever successfully done.  They are trying to live without religion.

Can we live without religion?  “Of course, we can,” many people assert today.  In fact, the fastest growing group […]

Ten years ago, when I returned to Rome to become Cardinal Foley’s special assistant and the chancellor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, someone lent me a book to read.  It had just come out and he thought I might find it interesting as I returned to work, once again, at the Church’s headquarters.  As I read it, I was reminded of the time I had spent time studying the Italian language the first time I was sent to Rome some 30 years ago.  One of […]

I’m sure you’ve heard about the Grand Jury’s report on six dioceses throughout Pennsylvania that was made public earlier this week.  I haven’t read the entire 900-page report but, like you, I’m still reeling from reading the portions of the report that I have found in the newspapers.  I’m still processing all of this material; some of the incidences recounted in the report were truly horrific.  When I think of my fellow clergy who have done such terrible things, I think of what our Lord once said: “It would be […]