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

Four reasons for the Vatican’s action on Communion for pro-choice politicians

By Thomas Reese — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — When bishops argue in public, it disturbs the myth of a united magisterium.

Solar panels allow religious institutions to do well while doing good

By Thomas Reese — May 21, 2021
(RNS) — An easy way to please the pope and earn money at the same time.

Democrats defend a tax boon for rich homeowners

By Thomas Reese — May 12, 2021
(RNS) — Who could have thought that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Donald Trump would be on the same page on anything?

The Biden Communion stories are stupid

By Thomas Reese — May 4, 2021
(RNS) — The bishops’ conference denying Communion to Biden is about as likely as the National Governors Association impeaching the president.

We need more from the Catholic bishops than a mixed response to racism

By Thomas Reese — April 28, 2021
(RNS) — Catholics deserve better leadership from the bishops in the struggle against racism.

Why President Biden is right to get our troops out of Afghanistan

By Thomas Reese — April 23, 2021
(RNS) — A fundamental principle of the just war theory is that you should not fight an unwinnable war.

The future of Catholic liturgical reform

By Thomas Reese — April 13, 2021
(RNS) — Other than sex, nothing is more heatedly debated in the Catholic Church than the liturgy.

Visitation of Vatican liturgy office could lead to liturgical reform

By Thomas Reese — April 7, 2021
(RNS) — What would you change about Catholic liturgy?

Despair and hope in Holy Week

By Thomas Reese — March 31, 2021
(RNS) — Our world, like Holy Week, is full of bad news. We need to remember to also look for goodness.

The US needs an ambassador to the Holy See

By Thomas Reese — March 24, 2021
(RNS) — Joe Biden will soon be the first Catholic president to nominate an ambassador to the Holy See, something that in earlier days would have been anathema to American Protestants who feared the papacy’s political and religious power.

Vatican says yes to gay people, no to blessing gay unions

By Thomas Reese — March 16, 2021
(RNS) — How will the Vatican welcome gays ‘with respect and sensitivity’ while saying no to blessing gay unions?

Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to Iraq improves relations with Muslims

By Thomas Reese — March 10, 2021
(RNS) — Christians and Muslims will look back at this papacy as a turning point in their relationship.

Workers deserve a living wage, not just a minimum wage

By Thomas Reese — March 2, 2021
(RNS) — Anyone who opposes increasing the minimum wage should try, as a Lenten penance, to live off $290 a week.

We must take care of our children

By Thomas Reese — February 24, 2021
(RNS) — A refundable child tax credit would drastically reduce child poverty at a time when children are in great need.

Biden signals willingness to dialogue with bishops and other faith leaders

By Thomas Reese — February 17, 2021
(RNS) — Melissa Rogers, restored to the White House faith partnerships office, listens to all sides of a dispute.
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