Thomas Reese
The Rev. Thomas J. Reese, a Jesuit priest, is a Senior Analyst at RNS. Previously he was a columnist at the National Catholic Reporter (2015-17) and an associate editor (1978-85) and editor in chief (1998-2005) at America magazine. He was also a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University (1985-98 & 2006-15) where he wrote Archbishop, A Flock of Shepherds, and Inside the Vatican. Earlier he worked as a lobbyist for tax reform. He has a doctorate in political science from the University of California Berkeley. He entered the Jesuits in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1974 after receiving a M.Div from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.
All Stories by Thomas Reese
When can the pope fire a bishop?
By Thomas Reese — December 5, 2023
(RNS) — It depends on whether the bishop is serving a diocese or filling another role.
In a world where Christ is king, authoritarian leaders can only be antichrists
By Thomas Reese — November 27, 2023
(RNS) — Today's anti-democratic leaders are promising to deliver justice by any means necessary.
US bishops fumble the ball on global warming and synodality
By Thomas Reese — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — One can only wonder how different the bishops' meeting would have been if they had consulted in a synodal fashion with the laity.
Fifteen hidden gems in the Synod on Synodality report
By Thomas Reese — November 7, 2023
(RNS) — We can miss important opportunities for church reform if we only focus on the hot-button issues.
Synod on Synodality report is disappointing but not surprising
By Thomas Reese — October 30, 2023
(RNS) — For Francis it was never about the hot-button topics.
Francis wants the synod in every parish. Here’s how to bring it to yours.
By Thomas Reese — October 23, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Such a process is a far cry from a parish meeting presided over by the pastor who announces and defends his preordained decisions.
Cardinal Hollerich guides synod with a gentle hand
By Thomas Reese — October 20, 2023
(RNS) — Hollerich hopes the synod can develop a road map for worldwide consultation before the next session of the synod in October 2024.
Covering synods for the media is not easy
By Thomas Reese — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — Pope Francis does not like the Western press, which he thinks focuses on hot-button issues.
It takes a Dominican to explain a Jesuit pope
By Thomas Reese — October 11, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Francis, the Jesuit pope, chose a Dominican, Timothy Radcliffe, to set the tone for his Synod on Synodality, which has been under attack by reactionaries in the church.
Conservative cardinals have five questions or ‘dubia.’ I have six.
By Thomas Reese — October 10, 2023
(RNS) — Traditionalists don't like Pope Francis because he is the first truly post-Counter-Reformation pope, with perhaps the exception of John XXIII.
Pope takes on climate change deniers in ‘Laudate Deum,’ a new document on global warming
By Thomas Reese — October 4, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point, says the pope, but our response has been inadequate.
Discernment is at the heart of the synod, but it’s not easy — nor is it always successful
By Thomas Reese — September 26, 2023
(RNS) — Dialogue becomes that much more difficult when you feel that God is on your side.
Getting ready for the next conclave
By Thomas Reese — September 19, 2023
(RNS) — Pope Francis' cardinal electors do not know each other well; they should take their time to elect a pope.
Is synodality just another word for collegiality?
By Thomas Reese — September 12, 2023
(RNS) — Pope Francis is doing his best not to get bogged down in debate over what synodality means.
The synod’s priorities are communion, participation, mission — not who can be priests
By Thomas Reese — September 5, 2023
(RNS) — If we continued as usual with just different people in charge, then we missed the revolution Pope Francis is calling for.
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