SANTA MARIA DEGLI ANGELI ASSISI A lot of journalistic ink has been spilled on the differences between the interreligious gathering led by the Pope today and the first one called by John Paul II in 1986 Back in the summer Vatican heavyweights were brought out to clarify any misunderstandings

It seems that whenever the Church speaks out on issues of social and economic import a host of voices unhappy with the message object that the Bishops are ignorant regarding the topic in question and unqualified to discuss it This seems to be the case whether the issue is abortion capital punish

ASSISI ITALY I ve arrived in the home town of St Francis to await the arrival here of Pope Benedict and more than 200 faith leaders who tomorrow will deepen the commitment of religion to peace The event will commemorate the historic first such gathering called by Pope John Paul II on 27 October

Here s my take on CNN com who asked me to weigh in nbsp nbsp Asking if we have turned Steve Jobs into a saint is different from asking if he was a saint The first question turns on how society sees the digital-age genius That rsquo s a question of perception The second turns on how Mr Jobs l

If you haven t done so already head over to the National Catholic Reporter for a great in-depth look at Catholics in the United States today The home page for the series is here The series looks at Catholic education parish life spirituality commitment identity politics the Eucharist Mille

The New York Times reports on the push for personhood and a new anti-abortion amendment in Mississippi A constitutional amendment facing voters in Mississippi on Nov 8 and similar initiatives brewing in half a dozen other states including Florida and Ohio would declare a fertilized human egg