Just a few decades ago, most Jews, probably even a significant majority, proudly claimed the left as their political home. But then somethin...

One of my four grown children has decided to do some genealogical digging into the family's past in order to gain an appreciation of his...

I tend to notice how people will misapply the names of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England, and enjoy explaining the differences ...

On January 10 the Holy Father gave his annual address to the assembled representative of the diplomatic corps from 180 countries and interna...

A few days ago, writing about the continued unrest in Egypt, I made the comment that as a result of the political changes that will inevitab...

Here's something that's been around on the web for three years, but I just found out about it. It's a social network (like Faceb...

Pope Benedict, speaking to the crowds in St. Peter's Square, asked the world to pray for peace, particularly in the Middle East. Accompa...

I'm neither a historian nor a theologian so any comments I make on history and revelation are just that, my comments, my own unenlighte...

Father Samir Kahlil Samir, S.J., an Egyptian-born Catholic priest and Islamic scholar, always provides interesting insights on the Middle Ea...

My oh my oh my...I just spent some time listening to a BBC shortwave broadcast on the events taking place in Egypt, and then browsed for a w...

A 2007 study investigating the religious beliefs of Chinese, conducted under the auspices of the A ssociation of Religious Data Archives an...

For some time now I've been searching for a copy of the then Father Joseph Ratzinger's book, Theological Highlights of Vatican II . ...

A little personal note today. This morning my dear Diane departed on a five-day cruise along with about 30 of her "girl friends....

Now here's one I have trouble believing, even though I keep encountering reports that seem to confirm it. According to reports, the Dis...

Readings: Is 8:23-9:3; Ps 27; 1 Cor 1:10-13,17; Mt 4:12-23 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And with these words Jesus begin...

I find it very difficult to keep up with Pope Benedict XVI. In my modest home library I have literally run out of shelf space to hold his pu...

One of my interests, which I highlight regularly on this blog, is the growing persecution of Christians throughout the world. And it is trul...

I subscribe to far too many magazines and journals, but if I were forced to drop them all but one, First Things would be the one I'd ke...

Readings: Heb 7:1-3, 15-17 • Psalm 110 • Mk 3:1-6 ____________________ “...looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness ...

Here are a few news items that probably didn't receive prominent coverage in the mainstream media: California Churches Desecrated. It w...