In a candid discussion with reporters on September 23, Pope Francis warned against what he termed bad compassion. Francis defined bad compassion as the law not to let the child grow in the mother’s womb or the law of euthanasia in disease and old age.” Clarifying, he added “I am not saying it is a Read more
In his recent apostolic letter, Desiderio desideravi, Pope Francis addresses a fundamental religious problem of modern humanity, especially in the global north: symbols are no longer symbolic. We could rephrase this in the following different ways: Symbols are just symbols – and ignored. Symbols no longer speak to us – and we miss what they Read more
Dear young people – it is especially you I am thinking of as I allow these thoughts to unravel. You will be the architects of the future. Amazing science and technology will open doors we haven’t even come to yet. Hopefully, you will always be guided by what it means to be authentically human, which Read more
I spent the early months of the coronavirus pandemic feeling desperately claustrophobic. Quarantined in a one-bedroom apartment in New York, I would sometimes imagine my fire escape was a creaky porch in the woods somewhere as I sat outside in the early evenings, listening to my neighbours’ cheer and bang pots for the essential workers Read more
As US presidential elections heat up and life issues are expected to figure prominently in the campaign, the Vatican’s top official in the area has cautioned against turning the pro-life cause into an ideological weapon, saying making the protection of life a political football risks doing “great harm.” “Life is a great gift that comes Read more
Praising God for the gift of life is common to all world religions. Deep down in the heart of every person is the knowledge that life is precious and often fragile. The worldwide human family recently experienced this belief as we watched with bated breath the heart-warming rescue mission of the Thai boys trapped in Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops marked Respect Life Sunday, 14 October, with a message to its Catholic community on the preciousness and fragility of life. In their letter, they express their awareness of the pain and grief felt by those who have gone through the experience of either being unable to have a child or Read more
Three old friends approach a pedestrian crossing near a busy intersection. As the traffic lights change, vehicles hurry through the road junction to where they are to cross. One friend rushes anxiously across, beating the oncoming cars. Out of self-preservation, another stands steadfast on the curb. The third fearfully steps backwards. They look at one Read more
Last week Stacy Trasancos wrote a commentary piece for the Register called “The Pain Unborn Children Feel.” In contrast to the dogmatism on this subject often seen on both sides of the abortion debate, Stacy was careful not to claim too much. And as early as 20 weeks they are able to recoil from stressors and Read more
Years ago, a woman who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, asked me to pray for a miracle of healing. As she talked about this, I was aware that her body was in advanced labour to give birth to her soul. I wanted to tell her I believe we have our definitions back to front: Read more