If last week’s World Youth Day is any indicator then the future of the Catholic Church looks bright, very bright indeed! In spite of security concerns that kept many nations from sending their typical delegations, an estimated 3 million people attended the World Youth Day Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the beach at Copacabana...Read More

Last month I had the pleasure of visiting the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville where I gave a talk on religious liberty during the Fortnight for Freedom. Charlestown is located on the site of the former St. Charles College, the first minor seminary in the United States that closed in 1977 after educating seminarians for...Read More

Many people today are concerned about how much information is being gathered about good, law-abiding citizens. Huge information-technology firms such as Google continue to collect vast amounts of data from millions of people the world over. The IRS will amass even more information about individual citizens and families once it begins to fulfill its role...Read More

Earlier this month, the whole Church marked the 100th day of the pontificate of Pope Francis. While it may be hard to believe that it has been 100 days since the dramatic election of our new Holy Father, it may be even more surprising how he’s been received. One of the reasons for this is...Read More

I. Introduction Dear friends, for but a moment let us enter the scene described for us in the Gospel passage that was just proclaimed. Let us take our place with the disciples. If we do so, we will enter the presence of Jesus absorbed in prayer, in prayer to His heavenly Father. No one knows...Read More

Last Friday, we were privileged to host a wonderful celebration of the national Opening Mass of the Fortnight for Freedom at our Basilica in Baltimore. There was a tremendous turnout and a lively spirit present as we prayed together in support of the religious freedom we cherish as Americans and people of faith. The Mass kicked...Read More

Last week, I was privileged to preside, along with Bishop John Ricard, Bishop Emeritus of Pensacola-Tallahassee and former Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, at a moving and historic ceremony marking the transfer of the mortal remains of Servant of God, Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, Foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, from New Cathedral Cemetery, where...Read More

A few years ago, when I was Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, a valued employee of the Diocese came to see me. He told me that he would be leaving his position with the Diocese because his wife had been offered a wonderful job in the Midwest. He put it this way to me,...Read More