Signs of the Times

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.

On global warming, yes, there is hope

By Thomas Reese — August 15, 2023
(RNS) — The good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough.

Global warming is here and it is getting worse

By Thomas Reese — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — We are like frogs in a pot of water being slowly cooked as the temperature rises. We don’t have the sense to get out of the pot, let alone turn off the heat.

Vatican financial scandals: Corruption, stupidity or both?

By Thomas Reese — August 1, 2023
(RNS) — A deeply tangled tale must be followed by systemic reform and effective oversight.

We want God to be like Batman

By Thomas Reese — July 26, 2023
(RNS) — Deep in our hearts, we want God to beat up our enemies and punish evildoers.

Billions of federal dollars available for churches and nonprofits to go green

By Thomas Reese — July 20, 2023
(RNS) — Churches have a moral obligation to reduce their carbon footprint and to encourage climate justice for marginalized communities. If there is federal money to help in this effort, they should take advantage of it.

Francis now has the cardinals he needs for the next conclave. Is it enough?

By Thomas Reese — July 17, 2023
(RNS) — The College of Cardinals has never been so diverse — or unpredictable.

Pope Francis appoints men and women to build a synodal church

By Thomas Reese — July 10, 2023
(RNS) — These recent appointments show that Francis now understands that 'personnel is policy.'

How the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is making new rules for minorities

By Thomas Reese — July 3, 2023
(RNS) — If the Constitution is what five Supreme Court justices say it is, who controls the presidency and the Senate really matters.

Why the Synod on Synodality is confusing to American Catholics

By Thomas Reese — June 26, 2023
(RNS) — If an American were in charge of running the pope’s synod, it would be very different.

This just in: Catholic churches have the worst preaching and music in the US

By Thomas Reese — June 20, 2023
(RNS) — Are Catholic services simply too boring?

Catholic bishops don’t support Trump’s lies. Is silence enough?

By Thomas Reese — June 12, 2023
(RNS) — The bishops have avoided being sucked into partisan politics at the cost of supporting democracy.
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