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Voices
Bill McCormick, S.J.
Bill McCormick, S.J., is a contributing editor at America, chief mission officer at St. John’s College in Belize City, and a research fellow in the Department of Political Science at Saint Louis University in Missouri.
Articles by Bill McCormick, S.J.
Politics & SocietyNews Analysis
Did we just watch the last presidential debate?
Bill McCormick, S.J.
Many watching last night’s debate wondered if this was the end for Joe Biden. But I could not help but wonder if this was the end of presidential debates.
This image shows Pope Francis conversing with a woman in an elegantly decorated room. Pope Francis, dressed in his traditional white papal attire, appears to be speaking while gesturing with his hand. The woman, wearing a black dress adorned with golden buttons and puff shoulders, is smiling warmly as she listens. Behind them, a large painting featuring a religious scene enhances the formal setting. The image has a watermark of “CBS News” in the bottom right corner.
FaithFaith and Reason
Pope Francis bashed conservatives on ‘60 minutes’—or did he?
Bill McCormick, S.J.
Pope Francis’ comments are clearly far more nuanced than many initial reactions suggested.
At center: Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson sits beside Democratic President Joe Biden during the annual National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 1, 2024. (OSV News photo/Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters)
Politics & SocietyShort Take
Can’t stand your neighbor’s politics? Pray for them anyway.
Bill McCormick, S.J.
Your enemies are children of God—and that includes the presidential candidate you can’t stand and his supporters.
Arts & CultureBooks
Review: Integralism, liberalism and the future of Christendom
Bill McCormick, S.J.
In "All the Kingdoms of the World¸" Kevin Vallier engages with Catholic integralists, but he opens a bigger question: Is there such a thing as a Catholic politics?
FaithFaith and Reason
‘Dignitas Infinita’ is clear: Human dignity is under threat—and Catholics are called to action.
Bill McCormick, S.J.
For those who were hoping for something “new” in this document, perhaps this will be disappointing. And yet this wisdom about dignity is ever ancient, ever new.
Francis has offered an example to follow in his public rapprochement with Javier Milei, the Argentine president who has repeatedly and caustically criticized the pope. They met at the Vatican on Feb. 12, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Politics & SocietyShort Take
2024 election advice: Pray for your political enemies.
Bill McCormick, S.J.
Do the divisions of politics occupy our focus more than the unity of Christ’s kingdom? This would be a great tragedy for all those who hear and make their own Christ’s desire that all be one.
Politics & SocietyNews Analysis
Pope Francis and President Milei had a public reconciliation. U.S. politicians should learn from them.
Bill McCormick, S.J.
As we head into what is sure to be a rancorous general election in the United States, what might we learn from the relationship between the pope and president?
FaithFaith and Reason
Truth, justice and DEI: What would John O’Malley say about the university wars?
Bill McCormick, S.J.
Can American society, which is so divided by questions of truth, goodness and justice, look to universities for a new consensus on these terms and practices?
This combo image shows President Joe Biden, left, Jan. 5, 2024 and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, right, on Jan. 19, 2024. (AP Photo, File)
Politics & SocietyShort Take
The defeats of DeSantis and Haley raise the question: Has Trump always been ‘inevitable’?
Bill McCormick, S.J.
When applied to political leaders, the language of “inevitability” and “invincibility” is profoundly dangerous. It also violates the teaching of the the Gospel that God has given us free will.
Flames are seen in front of the U.S. Capitol in this photo illustration. (iStock/Douglas Rissing)
Politics & SocietyShort Take
Is politics bad? It depends on your view of human nature.
Bill McCormick, S.J.
The headlines suggest that our political systems are incapable of solving big problems. What if we temper our expectations and realize that politics can bring out both the best and worst of humans?