Commonweal

Will the Women Deacons Debate Doom Synodality? Is the Vatican shutting down synodal discussion of women deacons?

Is the Vatican shutting down synodal discussion of women deacons? Some worry about the latest ‘patriarchal stalling tactic.’

Reporting from @heidischlumpf.bsky.social:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumf-wome...

Supreme Courtliness Amy Coney Barrett’s recent book ignores our national peril in favor of schooling readers on court and Constitution.

Amy Coney Barrett’s recent book ignores our national peril in favor of schooling readers on court and Constitution.

Kevin M. Doyle reviews:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/supreme-cour...

Waiting by the Jesse Tree In the midst of pre-Christmas celebrating, it can be hard to convince my kids that Advent exists at all. But we have a secret weapon.

And I'll take this opportunity to resurface something I wrote years ago, also for @commonweal.bsky.social, about our family's #Advent tradition, the Jesse Tree. Ten years on, it's still the most important thing we do to prepare ourselves for Christmas. www.commonwealmagazine.org/waiting-jess...

Advent Calendars Gone Wild Can Advent calendars stuffed with hot sauce, stuffed animals, and panties still stir feelings of anticipation and mystery?

"Globally, Advent calendars bring in $1.87 billion a year."

@heidischlumpf.bsky.social: Can Advent calendars stuffed with hot sauce, stuffed animals, and panties still stir feelings of anticipation and mystery?
www.commonwealmagazine.org/advent-calen...

Hello (Again), My Father Susan Cheever has made a kind of cottage industry of debunking her father’s carefully maintained image.

"Cheever may well owe his daughter a belated apology. But admitting that doesn’t do much for those of us coming to this book hoping for new insights."

Anthony Giardina on Susan Cheever's latest book for @commonweal.bsky.social

www.commonwealmagazine.org/susan-john-c...

Mark your calendars! On Thursday, December 4, join us at @columbiauniversity.bsky.social's Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary for a conversation between Roosevelt Montás and Adam Kirsch on reading and the good life.

RSVP here! www.commonwealmagazine.org/rootsdialogue

Extrajudicial executions, extortionate tariffs, multibillion-dollar bailouts: the editors of @commonweal.bsky.social on Trump's thuggish, self-aggrandizing, know-nothing actions in Latin America

A Bully Abroad Trump's approach to Latin America is characterized by lies, the use of extortive and illegal force, corrupt influences, and know-nothing leadership.

Trump's approach to Latin America is characterized by lies, the use of extortive and illegal force, corrupt influences, and know-nothing leadership.

The Editors: 'A Bully Abroad'
www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-editor...

No Kings but Jesus We are not simply Americans who have “No Kings.” We are Christians, who have no king but Jesus.

"There is another possibility latent in this feast: that our loyalty to Christ the King would supersede and check our loyalty to any ruler, any nation-state."

William T. Cavanaugh: 'No Kings But Jesus'
www.commonwealmagazine.org/william-cava...

Don't miss the the November issue of @commonweal.bsky.social, with articles by Theological Ethics faculty member Dr. Stephen Pope and Professor Emeritus Kenneth Himes, OF.M.

Toward a Catholic Grand Strategy America needs a new grand strategy. If it wishes to be not just powerful but good, then Catholic social thought might be the place to start.

America needs a new grand strategy. If it wishes to be not just powerful but good, then Catholic social thought might be the place to start.

An essay by Andrew Latham:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/grand-strate...

'Today, the traditionalist movement is still small, but less marginal than it was in the 1970s, and its geographical center of gravity has shifted from French-speaking Europe to the United States. Its normalization relies on, and parallels, the crisis of faith in our liberal and democratic systems.'

Why Should Jesus Weep? The recent history of papal corruption and controversy raises the question: should popes be limited to five-year terms?

Should popes be limited to five-year terms?

Paul Lakeland: The question should not seem ridiculous.
www.commonwealmagazine.org/lakeland-pop...

Catholic Traditionalism After Francis Traditionalism today is less about questioning Vatican II theology and liturgy and more about waging broader culture wars.

"The refusal to declare enemies to the right, both in politics and in the Church, has produced a sorcerer’s apprentice effect."

@massimofaggioli.bsky.social explores the state of Catholic traditionalism:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/catholic-tra...

Good reporting and analysis here from @heidischlumpf.bsky.social. What still feels lacking to me is an emphasis on Catholic doctrine, not just emotions. The Church's teaching has a LOT to say about what justice requires when it comes to respecting immigrants' human rights. I want them to teach it.

Bishops’ Statement on Immigration Falls Short The USCCB released a statement in support of immigrants—but its failure to mention Trump and ICE undermines its welcome message.

The USCCB released a statement in support of immigrants—but its failure to mention Trump and ICE undermines its welcome message.

Analysis from @heidischlumpf.bsky.social:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/bishops-stat...

@paulbmoses.bsky.social on Paul Elie's latest for @commonweal.bsky.social

Thinking with Rivers In the face of the awesome and lifegiving power of rivers, human beings may be the real terror.

My review of @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social's "beautifully written riverine tangle" - "Is a River Alive?" & James Scott's "In Praise of Floods" is in this month's @commonweal.bsky.social.

www.commonwealmagazine.org/vincent-mill...

Conscription for Peace What peaceful equivalent of war could generate the same sense of urgency and solidarity? William James had an answer.

"What kind of people do we have to become in order to achieve peaceful cities, societies, and states?"

Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins revisits William James's prescription for national conscription www.commonwealmagazine.org/conscription...

Catholic Traditionalism After Francis Traditionalism today is less about questioning Vatican II theology and liturgy and more about waging broader culture wars.

It's not just about theology, writes @massimofaggioli.bsky.social. Catholic traditionalism today is about a Christianist agenda driving American politics. www.commonwealmagazine.org/catholic-tra...

Saints in the City In ‘The Last Supper,’ Paul Elie tells the stories of artists whose struggles with their own religious beliefs amid the AIDS pandemic inspired often-controversial art.

Artists like Bono, Warhol, and Madonna sparked controversy in the 1980s for using religious images and motifs. Now, Paul Elie's new book recovers the artists' side of the story.

@paulbmoses.bsky.social reviews 'The Last Supper'

www.commonwealmagazine.org/saints-city

Roads Not Taken In 1998, the Christian right was at a crossroads. Tragically, it took a path leading into the arms of Donald Trump.

In 1998, the Christian right was at a crossroads. Tragically, it took a path leading into the arms of Donald Trump.

John Fea: 'Roads Not Taken'
www.commonwealmagazine.org/roads-not-ta...

Recovering Our Vision of the Poor The Trump administration defends a radical inversion of Christian teaching on poverty.

From @commonweal.bsky.social: Recovering Our Vision of the Poor
‘Dilexi te’ against MAGA’s effort to disappear the vulnerable

Recovering Our Vision of the Poor The Trump administration defends a radical inversion of Christian teaching on poverty.

"'The Lord,' the psalmist proclaims, 'hears the cry of the poor.' We, by contrast, have lost our hearing."

Terence J. Sweeney on MAGA, Pope Leo, and recovering our vision of the poor:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-poor-l...

I wrote about the decline of inner life in the latest issue of @commonweal.bsky.social
www.commonwealmagazine.org/inner-life-t...

Join us tomorrow!
commonwealmagazine.org/rootsdialogue

My conversation with Brandon Taylor for @commonweal.bsky.social

Mollie, Susan, Rita, Heidi? DREAM TEAM of writers (to say nothing of Claudia, part of the dream team of editors). Catholic lay-led journalism that values women's voices and analysis is exactly what the church/world needs.

Some professional news!

I have so much respect for their leadership and team and look forward to contributing to their excellent content.

More reasons to read Commonweal every day, folks.