Blog - September 2015 RSS Feed

One of the most perceptive articles I’ve seen on the pope’s visit to the United States: Francis’ whole approach is personal, intimate and situation-specific. If you are too rigorous and just apply abstract rules, he argues, you are washing your hands of your responsibility to a person.

There’s a political adage attributed to Ronald Reagan — “the person who agrees with me 80% is a friend and an ally — not a 20% traitor”. Christians are more familiar with the words spoken by Jesus, “If you’re not against me, you’re with me.” These basic truths are important to bear in mind, particularly in our current highly polarized political environment.

As part of the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis today has granted to all priests around the world the ability to forgive the sin of abortion within the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).