Columns
Does Catholic political idealism make sense?
Many have insisted that one ideal or another is specially suited to Catholicism, or perhaps even demanded by the Faith. But is that really the […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
Ecclesia et Civitas
Contemporary Tyranny and Catholic Social Doctrine
The current situation of growing soft totalitarianism is too recent and too disturbing for its implications for Catholic social action to have been adequately understood […]
Columns
Education and Civilization
Education is preparation for life. We are social, so its purpose is to prepare us for a good life in community. It affects the whole man, inculcates community ideals, and builds on what we already […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
Does American exceptionalism still have something to offer the world?
People say the United States is different from other countries, but how, and what does it mean? A basic distinction is that it is a comparatively new country governed by the oldest secular revolutionary government […]
Columns
The Benedict Compulsion
The ”Benedict Option” now receiving so much attention is rather different from anything pursued by Benedict of Nursia. Even so, there’s a family resemblance, since both have to do with closeness to God and a […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
Benedictine Options
“Benedict Option“ is a fertile expression that could refer to several things worth discussing. Saint Benedict had one version of what it means, Rod Dreher has another, and commentators have presented still more. For Benedict himself […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
Do ideals matter anymore?
Man is a rational animal. From a moral standpoint, that means he aspires to act—and often does act—in accordance with principles that join together to form an ideal of life. He’s also social, so his […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
Without law and freedom united, truth and dignity are destroyed
A couple of months ago I commented on how modern ways of thinking make it hard to understand human life. I didn’t say so specifically, but a big part of the problem has to do […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
What is “Pro-Life”?
In America, “pro-life“ mostly means “anti-abortion.“ The name helps counter the “pro-choice“ brand and emphasize the positive concerns at stake. It also supports closely-related concerns such as euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and various reproductive […]
Ecclesia et Civitas
How many cheers for capitalism?
Many Christians argue for capitalism on the grounds that markets and private property support man’s rightful freedom, and doing away with them means poverty and tyranny. That seems a strong argument, so in response opponents […]