The Catholic Church in her Catechism teaches, “Among the Christian faithful by divine institution there exist in the Church sacred ministers, who are also called clerics.” (#934). The exact meaning of priestly titles and offices in this divine institution, however, would develop over time. In the documents of the early church there are scattered references...Read More

LES COMBES, Italy – With his right hand immobilized in a cast, Pope Benedict XVI is using a voice recorder to put down his thoughts and ideas, said the Vatican spokesman.Read More

In February, a religious portrait of African-Americans was released. Its major reference was the “Pew Forum U.S. Religious Landscape Survey.” The report’s overview discusses research that indicates that “while the United States is generally considered a highly religious nation, African-Americans are markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. populations as a...Read More

Through the good graces of Bill and MaryAnn Albaugh I was invited to give the invocation before the Towson Fourth of July Parade. I received a number of requests for that prayer, so I thought I would reprint it, along with some additional commentary.Read More

As a retired member of the nation’s military, I read Tony Magliano (CR, July 2) with interest. He impresses me as a modern day Neville Chamberlain, who is likewise blind to the reality of the real world. I and many of my military colleagues have always shared the feeling that with regard to war, no...Read More

MANILA, Philippines – A Catholic priest who serves as governor of the Philippine province of Pampanga has declared he is running for president of the country in the May 2010 election.Read More

The 31 teenagers who participated in the annual Justice Action Week had quite a bit to say about their experience.Read More

For many years Immaculate Conception parish was the center of my life. In the fall of 1952, Mrs. Tinder, an excellent teacher and mother of Monsignor Tinder, became the first layperson on the grammar school faculty. My two sisters are graduates of Towson Catholic High School.Read More