Thanks for the invitation to return here to the Metropolitan Club and speak with you once again.  After giving a talk anywhere, I always say, “Hey, invite me back!”  Usually they don’t.  You did!  Thanks!  I feel at home here.

You are aware from the gracious introduction that I was born and raised in St. Louis.  My idol growing up was not a priest, or even a saint – – although I certainly admired our priests and loved the saints – – but “Stan the Man Musial,” one of the greatest baseball players ever. …

I just went next door to our own beloved Cathedral, Saint Patrick’s, to ask the intercession of Notre Dame, our Lady, for the Cathedral at the heart of Paris, and of civilization, now in flames! God preserve this splendid house of prayer, and protect those battling the blaze.

Today, with a home field advantage in the New York Times, Governor Cuomo linked me with the “religious right.”

This is something new from the governor.  He did not consider me part of the “religious right” when seeking my help with the minimum wage increase, prison reform, protection of migrant workers, a welcome of immigrants and refugees, and advocacy for college programs for the state’s inmate population, which we were happy to partner with him on, because they were our causes too.  I guess I was part of the “religious left” in those cases.

The civil rights…

Yesterday, the nation fittingly observed the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King.  To think he could still be with us at 90 years of age!  We sure need him!

His message, while profound in its effect, was rather simple:  we are all God’s children, made in His image.  Thus do we treat ourselves and others with dignity and respect.  The dignity of the human person– regardless of race, economic status, or condition– and the sanctity of all human life, no matter what stage or color, was his creed. 

I…

Too often in today’s politics we see public discourse on important societal issues reduced to extreme rhetoric, besmirched by hyperbole and falsehoods. This trend doesn’t just deny the public important context and facts, but limits our ability to work together to advance the best ideas in our efforts to solve complicated problems and help the most people.

On Tuesday, Governor Cuomo was the latest offender of this troubling trend that was pioneered and perfected by many prominent politicians in Washington.

While the governor’s address advanced many important…

Thank you! It is an honor and a joy to be with you this morning.

Especially do I savor this chance to salute a towering prophet in our beloved nation’s pursuit of the civil rights of the baby in the womb, John Cardinal O’Connor, after whom this lecture is entitled.

Just last Monday we celebrated his 99^th birthday, but he remains ever-young and timeless in so many souls, especially for his daring pro-life witness.

On the sidewalks of New York to this day will I encounter women and…

A blessed New Year!

You may have heard that Pope Francis directed the bishops of the United States to assemble together for a retreat, given by his own official preacher, Father Raniero Cantalamessa.

So, off we go!  Our retreat is a week-long, and begins today, at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary outside of Chicago.

Why did the Holy Father mandate this retreat?  Well, he realizes that the Catholic Church in the United States is in the thick of a crisis over sexual abuse.  (He also wisely acknowledges…

Dear Family of the Archdiocese,

I am saddened to tell you that our beloved Bishop Robert A. Brucato (class 1957), retired auxiliary bishop of New York, and former pastor, chancellor, and vicar general, has gone home to the Lord. Many of you would know him from the countless number of Confirmations, parish celebrations, and other events that he would have attended. He died this morning at Saint Joseph Hospital.

Join me, please, in thanking God for his life, especially his generous and faithful priesthood.

Pray as well that the powerful mercy of Jesus, in which our bishop had such trust, has ushered…

Never have I received such a positive response to an article I have written like I did to my “To Whom Shall I go?”  column in the Catholic New York of September 13, 2018.

That rather short and simple piece suggested that every parish in the archdiocese offer the traditional Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel after each Mass during the nine days (a novena) leading to the Feast of the Archangels on September 29.  My request was based on the exhortation from Pope Francis that we bluntly acknowledge the powers of darkness, personified in Satan, so mighty and…