In a meeting room under Holy Name Cathedral, a rapt group of black Roman Catholics listened as Barack Obama, a 25-year-old community organiser, trained them to lobby their fellow delegates to a national congress in Washington on issues like empowering lay leaders and attracting more believers. “He so quickly got us,” said Andrew Lyke, a Read more
The most recent comments by United States President Barack Obama regarding a possible military intervention in Syria indicate views at odds with just war theory – the doctrine emerging from moral philosophy surrounding the just use of military force. On Saturday, President Obama expressed his desire to “hold the Assad regime accountable for their use Read more
Invoking just-war criteria, the United States Catholic bishops have questioned the moral legitimacy of the Obama administration’s use of drones in counter-terrorism actions. “Targeted killing should, by definition, be highly discriminatory,” said letters from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon and members of Congress. The letters questioning the use Read more
They are all in their 80s now — these former POWs during the Korean War. One recalls in rapid-fire bursts how Father Emil Kapaun sneaked out of the barracks at night, risking his life to bring back morsels of food for his fellow prisoners. Another remembers seeing the young American priest use a rock and Read more
President Obama praised Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, just hours after the pontiff announced his resignation. “On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI,” Obama said in a written statement. The president said he “warmly” remembers the meeting he and the first Read more
You’ve got to feel a little sorry for the Catholic bishops. They declared that the Obama administration was making war on religion and not only was the president reelected but Catholics were the only Christian religious body to vote for him. To make matters worse, after devoting much talk and treasure to combatting the rising tide Read more
Whatever happened to American Christians’ concerns over Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith? Like concerns about Romney’s conservatism and pro-life record, theological issues have been brushed aside in anticipation of November’s election. According to Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council, ‘growing enthusiasm’ for Romney’s campaign has much to do with the Obama administration’s support for same-sex Read more
Before the dead had even been carried from the cinema in Colorado on Friday afternoon a CBS broadcaster said in a solemn radio editorial: ”We’ll eventually find out who James Holmes is, but he’s not a terrorist, we’re told, and thousands of other showings were peaceful, so really we have to start seeing these things as Read more
In a call for broader religious exemptions, the Catholic Health Association has backtracked from its initial support for the Obama administration’s compromise on a rule that mandates employer coverage of contraception and sterilization. The association said it is “imperative” that the administration abandon its “narrow” definition of religious employer and exempt not only churches but Read more
In a neck-and-neck race for the presidency, unique and unpredictable religious issues may produce subtle but significant shifts that could play a role in deciding the election between President Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Most important are evangelical Christians, one of the most powerful and reliable voting blocs in the Republican party. Many Read more