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Archive: Catholic America
Catholics and Planned Parenthood
Is cutting off funds to social services pro-life?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 3, 2011; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (34)
Fighting anti-union conspiracy
Catholic teaching unequivocally opposes the plan to strip union workers of their right to collective bargaining.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 24, 2011; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (12)
After sex abuse cases, an accounting
We face a future in which the different segments of the Catholic church have radically different priorities but not enough finances for all of them at the same time.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 17, 2011; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (17)
Obama and the redistribution of wealth
While it is perfectly OK for Catholics to disagree about how much redistribution should be directed by government or unions or private charities, there can be no disagreement about the need for redistribution of wealth.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 8, 2011; 02:17 PM ET | Comments (11)
Muslim liberation theology on the march
Mass demonstrations for democracy have spread overnight from Tunisia to Egypt to Jordan and throughout the Muslim world in ways that parallel a similar spread of liberation movements in Latin America a generation ago.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 1, 2011; 02:19 PM ET | Comments (9)
Adios, evangelical-Catholic coalitions
I'm not sure there ever really was much of a coalition of Catholics with evangelicals.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 27, 2011; 10:51 AM ET | Comments (10)
Did Obama's visit heal Gabrielle Giffords?
Shortly after President Barack Obama visited wounded Arizona Rep. Gabriella Giffords in the hospital and prayed for her, "she opened her eyes for the first time." The speed of her recovery ever since has been remarkable. Did Obama's visit cause...
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 18, 2011; 04:00 PM ET | Comments (27)
Was John Paul II 'The Great'?
Was John Paul II holy? Likely. Was he "The Great"? Dubious.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 7, 2011; 04:37 PM ET | Comments (9)
Predictions for Catholic America in 2011
Stevens-Arroyo on the controversial issues he expects to surface in the next 12 months.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 28, 2010; 11:44 AM ET | Comments (11)
May your Christmas be Catholic and gay
I am not arguing for repeal of Catholic teaching: just requesting that we remember the Christmas message of love.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 21, 2010; 02:41 PM ET | Comments (20)
A Catholic DREAM Act
Family values, the importance of placing the needs of real human beings before narrow political interests, a pro-life attitude towards immigration and the Church's preferential option for poor are all brought to bear in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' teachings on how to address immigration.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 14, 2010; 01:10 PM ET | Comments (18)
Was Muhammad an Advent prophet?
If Advent teaches us to celebrate the prophetic character in the scriptures of Judaism while ignoring differences, might not we do the same for Islam?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 8, 2010; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (61)
Sex and the engaged Catholic
Most of the Catholics asking to be married in the church today have been living together. Some are pregnant when they walk down the aisle. A new document on Catholic marriage shows the American bishops are paying attention to these changes.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 1, 2010; 01:30 PM ET | Comments (12)
Archbishop Dolan goes to bat
With Archbishop Dolan as President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, pundits who read church process as Democrat vs. Republican will likely find you can't pigeon-hole Catholic teaching so easily.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 22, 2010; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (6)
Don't speak: don't listen
It is strange that the Archbishop of the Military is more troubled by the government's repeal of DADT rather than an unjust war in Iraq denounced by two popes.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 16, 2010; 01:46 PM ET | Comments (8)
Lots of preaching, little governing
Catholic America is smart enough to stay faithful to our traditions. When it comes to deciding the best political legislation to achieve pro-life values, the Gospel comes first.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 9, 2010; 02:33 PM ET | Comments (5)
The disappearing abortion issue
The absence of abortion in this year's election shows the "maturation for the Catholic conscience."
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 2, 2010; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (14)
Can a Catholic be a witch?
Since Ms. O'Donnell categorizes herself as very Catholic, it would seem that she is wasting time to say the obvious fact that she's "not a witch." However, in Catholic history people called "witches" have become saints. It all depends on how "witch" is defined.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 25, 2010; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (8)
Of bully pulpits and bully bishops
I wonder if the Minnesota Catholic church's lobbying against same-sex marriage is another case of the clerical culture in which a prelate translates questions about his judgment into a challenge of his authority.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 14, 2010; 11:20 AM ET | Comments (10)
Catholic Charities: burning down bureaucracy?
We all need accountability and efficiency, but in many instances these rules have become impediments to the betterment of the people they are supposed to be helping.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 7, 2010; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (2)
Mother Teresa and transubstantiation: living vs. knowing the faith
Flunking the Pew test is unimportant as long as Catholic America doesn't flunk the faith.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 29, 2010; 01:21 PM ET | Comments (27)
Tea-publicans and the Know-Nothing recycle
The Tea Party itself functions like a civil religion, less interested in pragmatic politics than the new faith.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 23, 2010; 03:17 PM ET | Comments (9)
Creative tension: 'Purpose Driven,' vs. 'Retro' Catholics
Think of the Retro and Purpose Driven models as the Ying and Yang of Catholic America. The church needs both, even if there is a "creative tension" between them.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 13, 2010; 02:14 PM ET | Comments (6)
Protesting the future or voting Catholic values?
Catholic voters this November will have to decide if they will follow the Magisterium or just want to vote to protest the future.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 8, 2010; 11:39 AM ET | Comments (10)
Is Glenn Beck preaching Mormon 'restoration' theology?
Mr. Beck may doubt the authenticity of Mr. Obama's Christianity, but he does so from a peculiar theological perch of his own.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 31, 2010; 11:13 AM ET | Comments (39)
The Pope, the nuns and Auschwitz: the real story
Jesus told us to "turn the other cheek:" doesn't this mean Catholics should accede to Muslim rights now as the Pope did then to Jewish rights?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 24, 2010; 01:11 PM ET | Comments (21)
Don't convert Ground Zero to a monument to intolerance
The real desecration of the 9/11 site would be to convert it into a monument to intolerance.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 17, 2010; 12:22 PM ET | Comments (109)
Catholics must fight sin of ignorance
It would be disastrous for the American public to become "dittoheads:" For Catholics, it would be sinful.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 10, 2010; 01:30 PM ET | Comments (6)
Orthodox Catholics living 'Retro-Catholicism'
Retro Catholics, with their valid concern about sexual morality, deserve to be included in the variety of Catholic experience. The mistake would be to substitute the movement for the universal Church.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 3, 2010; 12:06 PM ET | Comments (21)
Taxes, tyranny and a Catholic Tea Party
Can a Catholic be a member of today's Tea Party? There are many versions of the Tea Party in the United States today but what they have in common is how they link taxation and tyranny. It may surprise some that the justification to rebel against taxation and tyranny is found in the writings of the 16th century Jesuit priest, Juan de Mariana (1536-1624). This first of the Catholic Tea Partyers, however, could teach the current movement a thing or two.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 28, 2010; 11:28 AM ET | Comments (71)
"No pedophilia crisis" says Catholic League
The vulnerability of the Church in this sordid mess lies principally in a pronounced reluctance to confront predators or take significant action to separate them from ministry. While I have little doubt that Dr. Bill want to end sexual abuse in the Church as much as I do, his faulty analysis is problematic because it might perpetuate the crisis
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 20, 2010; 09:08 PM ET | Comments (189)
New Council or New Bishops?
Ten US bishops stop participating in annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Are they following the same Vatican II mandates as the rest of us?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 13, 2010; 02:20 PM ET | Comments (8)
Chinese food and religious freedom
The Kagan hearings confirm the Supreme Court's vital role in safeguarding religious choices.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 6, 2010; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (2)
Mormon marriage lessons
Mormons have a lot to teach Catholics about emphasizing marriage as a God-given vocation.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 29, 2010; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (124)
Common good v. corp. profits
Catholic teaching embraces redistribution of wealth and favors common good over corporate profits.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 23, 2010; 04:54 PM ET | Comments (19)
Bishops firm on immigration
They are saying the right things about the Arizona law, but can they do more? Should they deny communion?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 16, 2010; 09:58 AM ET | Comments (24)
Arizona's immoral, un-American law
Catholic bishops have good reason to oppose this law that signals the moral decline of the nation.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 8, 2010; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (25)
Moral mayhem on high seas
How religion complicates judgments on Israel's raid on the flotilla bound for Gaza.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 2, 2010; 07:08 PM ET | Comments (2)
Hellava lot of heaven on 'Lost'
Kudos to 'Lost' for reminding us that Heaven is place where we should want to go. (Spoiler alert!)
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 26, 2010; 05:31 PM ET | Comments (47)
Not all abortions are evil
Catholics have overemphasized the child's right to life and failed to defend the mother's right to life.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 21, 2010; 11:47 AM ET | Comments (33)
Church's real enemy: sin
Apologists who blame Vatican II and 'bad theology' for Church's woes get no support from Benedict.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 13, 2010; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (10)
Catholic America's Latino roots
We Latinos created Catholic America before the United States was a nation.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 4, 2010; 07:20 PM ET | Comments (0)
Benedict not to blame
The entire Catholic hierarchy, not just the Pope, must repent and be held accountable.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 27, 2010; 07:12 PM ET | Comments (62)
The Jesuit way today
Catholic America could use a healthy dose of a Jesuit-style intellectualism.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 21, 2010; 09:05 AM ET | Comments (4)
If the Pope sold Toyotas
What the Catholic Church can learn from the Toyota Motor Corporation.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 15, 2010; 10:52 AM ET | Comments (25)
Losing Latino Christians
Surveys show Latinos leaving Catholic Church for no religion, not for others.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 5, 2010; 09:03 AM ET | Comments (14)
"Bad" popes and bishops
Prelates focused on society's sexual sins lose sight of their own.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 29, 2010; 08:58 AM ET | Comments (47)
Stupak, Casey, Pelosi: The all-Catholic winning team
The bishops and their erstwhile team of experts lost to a new Catholic team of political leaders.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 22, 2010; 03:24 PM ET | Comments (9)
Glenn Beck's anti-Catholic rants
If Beck has the names of prelates who oppose the Magisterium on social justice, let him produce them.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 15, 2010; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (212)
Fathers Berrigan meet Joe McCarthy
When the Church gets legalistic and too focused on purity, it loses sight of the gospel values of love and mercy.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 8, 2010; 03:20 PM ET | Comments (38)
Bottom-line bishops vs. pastoral bishops
The Church needs has and needs both, but what we don't need is one style to dominate the other.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 2, 2010; 02:48 PM ET | Comments (9)
Is EWTN still Catholic?
Cable channel lets commentator pervert Catholic teaching with Republican Party talking points on torture.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 22, 2010; 12:13 PM ET | Comments (48)
Unfaithful campaign against CCHD
Critics who claim Catholic Campaign for Human Development is pro-abortion ignore the facts and the faith.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 16, 2010; 11:33 AM ET | Comments (6)
Sacraments for the people
The Friar who taught the Church that all believers were responsible for sharing the Eucharist.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 8, 2010; 12:47 PM ET | Comments (10)
Catholic clerical narcissism
Self-centered definitions of the priesthood reduce the effectiveness of ministry and weaken the Church.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | February 1, 2010; 10:27 AM ET | Comments (18)
Mary Daly & Catholic feminism
It's worth remembering how the late theologian made Catholic feminism into a widening of Catholic humanism.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 25, 2010; 01:59 PM ET | Comments (63)
Evangelical advance in Haiti?
Will evangelicals try to take advantage of the death of so many Catholic priests in Haiti?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 19, 2010; 09:40 AM ET | Comments (20)
Selling Vatican jewels
How do we reconcile the church's material wealth with its spiritual obligations to the poor? Can we?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 11, 2010; 02:42 PM ET | Comments (19)
Predictions for 2010
In 2010, will Joe Biden receive communion? Will Notre Dame win the BCS? Is the Pope Catholic?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | January 4, 2010; 09:29 AM ET | Comments (5)
Spirituality makes a comeback
The rise of spirituality shows the vitality of faith, and the desire to renew the institutionalized Church.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 16, 2009; 02:43 PM ET | Comments (4)
Cheating the gospel and the Church
Why do Catholic bishops associate with anti-papacy people but not pro-abortion people?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | December 8, 2009; 12:22 PM ET | Comments (22)
When bishops go rogue
Kennedy and Casey were scolded by bishops, but did they have church teaching on their side?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 30, 2009; 09:18 AM ET | Comments (40)
The worst prayers in the world
Do people actually pray for violent death and destruction? I'm afraid they do.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 23, 2009; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (30)
'Latinese' when plain English will do
Rome's rewrite will make Mass less accessible and more remote. Why would we want to be further from God?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 17, 2009; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (75)
Double trouble on abortion?
Evidence suggests that Catholic leaders being used by both sides in the abortion/health care wars.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 10, 2009; 04:12 PM ET | Comments (5)
Catholic schizophrenia
The political and theological implications of separating peace and justice issues from pro-life issues.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | November 3, 2009; 10:08 AM ET | Comments (7)
Michael Moore: Catholic of the year?
The filmmaker places a favorable light on his lived Catholic experience and the trust he places in priests.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 27, 2009; 11:30 AM ET | Comments (93)
The bishops and Obama paranoia
To claim that people are against you even when they say they are not is paranoia, not Church doctrine.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 19, 2009; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (51)
Restoring Padre Martinez
Time for multicultural Church to lift the 1858 excommunication of Padre Antonio José Martínez.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 9, 2009; 01:48 PM ET | Comments (3)
A Muslim Faith-Based Initiative
Instead of relying on bullets and an occupying army to undercut al-Qaeda, try fostering Muslim religious piety.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | October 5, 2009; 11:36 AM ET | Comments (23)
Disarmament Is a Pro-Life Issue
Pro-life Catholics are bound by conscience to support Obama's call for nuclear disarmament.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 28, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (42)
Catholic America as Secular Model
The Vatican is promoting American-style "Catholic Secularism" to encourage reason in the public square.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 21, 2009; 02:45 PM ET | Comments (19)
Health-Care Distortions
Defending Catholic teaching with half-truths, spin and claims that others are lying is unfaithful.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 15, 2009; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (6)
A Bishop's Early Retirement
Rome removes Pennsylvania bishop who used his authority as a weapon to alienate others.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | September 7, 2009; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (15)
Funeral Mass Politics
Kennedy's funeral showed that social justice is as much a Catholic passion as opposition to abortion.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 31, 2009; 02:57 PM ET | Comments (71)
U.S. Nuns: Pawns or Queens?
Why is Vatican using its male-based power to investigate 'relentless pursuit of power' by some U.S. nuns?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 25, 2009; 11:53 AM ET | Comments (72)
Michael Vick's Contrition
Is the football star and dog killer really contrite? Should he be forgiven? What the Church says.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 17, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (198)
Is It a Sin to Listen to Rush?
It's no sin to listen to Limbaugh or other radio provocateurs. Believing them is another matter altogether.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | August 10, 2009; 10:39 AM ET | Comments (408)
Truth in Health-Care Packaging
Health reform legislation that informs the public of existing insurance plans is not promoting abortion.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 31, 2009; 11:58 AM ET | Comments (7)
Race, Class and Catholicism
As Catholics know, demons of race and class always have complicated social interactions in America.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 27, 2009; 11:28 AM ET | Comments (10)
Dr. Ambassador to the Vatican
Dr. Miguel Díaz will give the Church a capable conduit between Rome and the Democrats.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 21, 2009; 04:55 PM ET | Comments (9)
Vatican Insiders and Outsiders
With Obama and Democrats in control in Washington, the Vatican has to rethink its approach to U.S. politics.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 15, 2009; 10:26 AM ET | Comments (22)
The Pope and Peoria
Benedict's statement on the morality of globalization is monumental, but it won't play in Peoria.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | July 8, 2009; 12:38 PM ET | Comments (12)
Catholics and Unions
The Church supports good unions and teaches an end to destructive enmity between workers and owners.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 30, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (4)
Abortion and Slavery
Are pro-life advocates right to compare their cause to the19th century anti-slavery movement?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 23, 2009; 12:33 PM ET | Comments (19)
Puerto Rico's Justice
Catholic America has too long neglected the resolution of Puerto Rico's status. Will Sotomayor change that?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 17, 2009; 03:39 PM ET | Comments (31)
The New Muslim-Catholic Coalition
Obama's speech aligned the U.S. treatment of Muslims and the Muslim world with the vision of Pope Benedict.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | June 8, 2009; 12:07 PM ET | Comments (59)
Irish Abuse: Asylums and Spirituality
Let's not confuse conformity with unity, criticism with disloyalty, nor reduce faith to blind obedience.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 28, 2009; 12:34 PM ET | Comments (48)
Catholicism on Parade After ND
As media showed, we have a Church that allows freedom of thought but is united under Gospel principles.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 22, 2009; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (52)
The Pope's Peaceful Trip
As he toured the Holy Land, the pope said things that threaten only extremists, be they Muslim or Jew or Christian.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 18, 2009; 12:48 PM ET | Comments (14)
The Bishops We Need
We don't need Catholic versions of Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney dividing us; we need bishops who bring us together.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 11, 2009; 11:13 AM ET | Comments (47)
Obama Disappoints (Some) Catholics
Conservative Catholic fears haven't come true as Obama works to reduce -- not promote -- abortion.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | May 4, 2009; 12:49 PM ET | Comments (7)
The Inquisition, Torture and Cheney
Anyone who uses, defends or justifies torture is in violation of the Church's pro-life teachings.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 27, 2009; 02:42 PM ET | Comments (63)
Pro-Lifers Battle Over Sebelius
Charity and love do not prevail in debating the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius to Obama's Cabinet.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 20, 2009; 01:51 PM ET | Comments (19)
Obama, Discrimination and the Catholic Right
Most Catholics are not going to be influenced by a handful of reactionary bishops who have their own agenda.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 13, 2009; 11:19 AM ET | Comments (7)
Jews, Blessed Charlie and Catholic Holy Week
You don't have to become a convert to Catholicism in order to appreciate the power of ritual.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | April 6, 2009; 12:46 PM ET | Comments (33)
Controlling the Catholic Brand
Clergy and lay are battling for the Catholic middle ground. Will the struggle strengthen the Church?
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 31, 2009; 10:21 AM ET | Comments (6)
Broken Vows
Bristol Palin's broken engagement just another reason to appreciate the sacrament of marriage.
By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo | March 24, 2009; 10:05 AM ET | Comments (36)
