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Archive: Thomas J. Reese, S.J.
Pope Benedict's Professor Problem
Unless the pope changes how he gets information and how he makes decisions, we will continue to have these periodic media disasters.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 6, 2009; 04:01 PM ET | Comments (8)
Benedict Undermining His Own Legacy
Why is the Vatican putting so much effort into reconciliation with the Society of St. Pius X? The real reason is because these men are bishops. If they were simple priests, the Vatican would not give them the time of day.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | February 6, 2009; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (85)
Pray in the Spirit (Not the Name) of Jesus
In a public prayer outside a Christian institution, I think Christian ministers can and should pray to God without bringing in Jesus. This does not deny Jesus. It simply invites everyone in our pluralistic society to join our prayer to the fullest extent that they can. Would Jesus mind? I don't think so.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | January 19, 2009; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (13)
Bishops Plan for Dealing with a Democratic Washington
Catholic bishops will have to decide whether they will engage with the Democratic Congress and president or whether they will sit out the next four to eight years.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 7, 2008; 05:58 PM ET | Comments (22)
Catholics Go For Obama
Catholic voters ignored the instructions of a group of vocal bishops and delivered 54% of their vote for Barack Obama as president of the United States.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 4, 2008; 10:07 PM ET | Comments (67)
Something New in the Abortion Debate
Thomas J. Reese | Pro-life Catholic Democrats have expanded their approach to abortion. So have the bishops.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 23, 2008; 06:33 AM ET | Comments (157)
Empowering Women, the Catholic Experience
While religion has often distorted the inner journey of women and has tried to rein in the liberty granted by the Spirit, it has also been the conduit whereby women of all generations have learned from the past. They have learned that the gifts of the Spirit are available to all, regardless of gender.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 20, 2008; 04:16 AM ET | Comments (34)
He Kept Company with Tax Collectors and Sinners
Both McCain and Obama have repudiated the actions of these acquaintances, who have nothing to do with their campaigns and would have nothing to do with their administrations.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 7, 2008; 03:18 PM ET | Comments (7)
Abortion: Rhetoric or Results
I think Roe v. Wade was a bad decision. It was bad law. It was a classic case of judicial activism. At the same time, to think that reversing Roe v. Wade will solve the abortion problem is naive. It will simply return the issue to the states and most states will keep abortion legal.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | September 24, 2008; 08:21 AM ET | Comments (31)
Saddleback Forum -- a Catholic View
As a Catholic priest I found the Civic Forum at Saddleback Church a bit weird. I kept wondering what would have been the response if the event had been hosted by Cardinal Francis George in his cathedral in Chicago. (Jewish and Muslim believers might ask the same question about a similar event in their houses of worship.)
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | August 19, 2008; 12:42 AM ET | Comments (95)
Right or Rite, Civil Discussion in Order
I think it is foolish for churches to expend their political capital opposing the legalization of gay marriage. There are many other issues of greater importance: abortion, hunger, global warming, peace, health care, etc.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | May 27, 2008; 06:32 AM ET | Comments (19)
Jeremiah Wright & Guilt by Association
Some of the things that Jeremiah Wright said to his congregation were obnoxious and untrue even when seen in context.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 30, 2008; 06:17 AM ET | Comments (12)
Pope Can Speak; Church Must Act
The church needs to develop new ways of preaching and explaining the gospel in a way that is understandable and inspiring to people in the 21st Century. Simply repeating old formulas will not work.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 14, 2008; 03:11 PM ET | Comments (19)
Pope Benedict, Muslims and Mutual Respect
There is no question that Pope Benedict has a great respect for religious faith of Muslims. In fact, he wishes European Catholics were as devout as Muslims.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 10, 2008; 02:41 PM ET | Comments (21)
Spitzer Scandal About Crime, Not Sex
Many in the media have accused the Catholic Church of being obsessed with sex, but the media frenzy surrounding the Spitzer scandal makes one wonder who is really obsessed.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | March 16, 2008; 08:02 PM ET | Comments (15)
Missing Catholics
Catholic clergy had been spoiled with monopolistic influence over a captive audience. Today, it is a whole new ball game. People no longer come to church or stick with their religion out of a fear of damnation.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | March 3, 2008; 09:02 AM ET | Comments (59)
Obama and the Catholic Vote
The slow move away from Clinton gives us another theory: perhaps Catholics are just slower to switch their loyalties than other Americans. After all, they stick with the church through thick and thin.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | February 22, 2008; 08:05 AM ET | Comments (13)
Living Shari`a in the West
He did not favor having criminals judged and punished under Islamic law. He did not favor having two parallel judicial systems, one for Muslims and the other for everyone else. He did not favor denying rights to Muslim women that they enjoy under British law.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | February 17, 2008; 11:51 PM ET | Comments (17)
Values and Policies
I find myself at times agreeing with both sides of this debate.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | February 7, 2008; 02:06 PM ET | Comments (17)
By Their Fruits You Will Know Them
In examining private visions and revelations, the church asks a series of questions: Is it consistent with the Scriptures and church teaching? Does it lead people to true devotion and love? Does it unite people or is it divisive?
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | February 6, 2008; 07:55 AM ET | Comments (50)
Jesus Christ with an MBA
In a media-driven world, we are tempted to focus on the charismatic and popular, but in the long run the leader who empowers others may be the best. But ultimately Christians have to remember that we are saved by Jesus Christ not by any human leader.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | January 31, 2008; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (5)
A Smarter Path for Pro-Lifers
In order for the pro-lifers to win, they need to go beyond religious arguments to philosophical arguments. In other words, they have to convince people that, at some point, the fetus is a human person with rights. Abortion has to be argued as a human rights issue not a religious issue.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | January 28, 2008; 09:08 AM ET | Comments (49)
Global Sin
As bad as all these things are, it may be gluttony and greed that will do us in as a species.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | January 17, 2008; 06:38 AM ET | Comments (42)
Is Jesus Invited to His Birthday Party?
Saying “Merry Christmas” is not an acknowledgment of Jesus as your Lord and Savior. As a theological statement, it has no content.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | December 18, 2007; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (187)
Important, but Too Political
Romney’s speech shows the importance of having a national conversation on religion in public life but it also shows the dangers of having that discussion led by politicians during a political campaign.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | December 10, 2007; 07:11 AM ET | Comments (3)
Believers Must Value Truth and Facts
Religion inspires believers to be concerned for their neighbors whom they see as children of the same God.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | December 6, 2007; 07:20 AM ET | Comments (17)
The Ethics of Golf and Marriage
Would you make a business deal with someone who cheats at golf? My guess is that many men are less judgmental of sexual infidelity than of cheating at sports.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 28, 2007; 09:21 AM ET | Comments (42)
Surprised by Goodness
It is the Christian vocation to work to overcome these disasters, to feed the hungry, work for peace and justice.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 23, 2007; 03:06 PM ET | Comments (12)
Working at Being Family
Part of the problem is that we have very high expectations of our families. They are supposed to be perfect, and when we are hurt by a family member we feel especially betrayed.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 22, 2007; 06:23 AM ET | Comments (8)
WWJD? Forgive
As Christians, we must love the sinner, but we must also protect society from the sinner.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 15, 2007; 08:10 AM ET | Comments (10)
Dirty Harry for President
It would be ironic and perverse for Christians, who worship a man who was tortured and killed, to use torture themselves.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 8, 2007; 12:20 PM ET | Comments (100)
Sick Kids Have a Right to Health Care
Medicare is available for the elderly. If kids could vote maybe they would have health care.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | November 5, 2007; 11:44 AM ET | Comments (23)
From Christian Feast to $5 Billion Business
What makes Halloween scary for parents this year is not the ghosts and devils but the costumes that are being sold to pre-teen girls.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 31, 2007; 08:53 AM ET | Comments (617)
Partners not Antagonists
The strong stance that Pope Benedict and other church leaders are taking on environmental issues is causing environmentalists to see the church as a potential ally.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 25, 2007; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (15)
Happy Endings
Without life after death, life is not a romance it is a sick tragedy, a cosmic joke.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 15, 2007; 10:40 AM ET | Comments (50)
Neither Minister nor Saint
I don’t care what religion they profess but I do care about what public policies and programs they support.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | October 4, 2007; 10:05 AM ET | Comments (17)
Not Even Saints are Perfect
The problem with putting people like Mother Teresa on a pedestal is that it lets us off the hook.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | September 1, 2007; 07:32 AM ET | Comments (56)
A Faith Journey
No single passage can sum up God or our relation to him.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | August 16, 2007; 07:13 AM ET | Comments (19)
Compassion and Conscience
A professional’s obligations are not simply to the client/patient. There are obligations also to society at large and the common good.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | August 9, 2007; 06:05 AM ET | Comments (10)
Bad Manners and Unchristian
As Christians and Americans we have an obligation to respect the beliefs and religious practices of others.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | August 3, 2007; 07:28 AM ET | Comments (42)
The Professor Pope
In order to understand Pope Benedict, you must remember that in his heart he is a German academic.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | July 20, 2007; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (97)
Ita Missa Est
The real issue is the power of local bishop to decide whether the pre-Vatican II mass will be said in his diocese.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | July 17, 2007; 07:27 AM ET | Comments (257)
Vote for Cicero
I am less interested in whether a candidate agrees with me on theology than whether he or she agrees with me on public policy.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | July 5, 2007; 08:42 AM ET | Comments (129)
My Father's House
Do only Christians go to heaven? No, anyone who loves can go to heaven.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | June 28, 2007; 08:28 AM ET | Comments (21)
What Do We Owe the Iraqi People?
The U.S. has a moral responsibility to the Iraqi people, I do not think that this obligation can be effectively fulfilled by the U.S. military.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | June 21, 2007; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (55)
Sophie’s Choice
Being forced to choose between “being saved” or “doing good works” is presenting a false dichotomy.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | June 12, 2007; 06:40 AM ET | Comments (20)
Ecumenical Democrats
America has embraced ecumenism not relativism.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | June 6, 2007; 05:48 AM ET | Comments (128)
No Atheists in Fox Holes
The horror of war can be challenging to ones faith unless one believes that God does not want war.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | May 31, 2007; 06:23 AM ET | Comments (294)
Revolutionary Love
The Jesus revolution was powered by love not by force.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | May 10, 2007; 06:36 AM ET | Comments (44)
“Seventy Times Seven”
True repentance involves a confession, sorrow, an attempt to right the wrong and penance.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 27, 2007; 08:03 AM ET | Comments (11)
“Comfort, Comfort My People”
In the Scriptures I find a God of compassion, but like Job I find no satisfactory answer to the problem of evil.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 18, 2007; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (106)
Eastern Spirituality: Work of the Devil or Shortcut to Fulfillment?
Until you experience and know your own tradition, you can not be enriched by another’s.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 12, 2007; 08:13 AM ET | Comments (65)
Is the Resurrection the Next Step in Evolution?
The more we love, the more we are united to the cosmic Christ because that is what the resurrection is all about: the victory of love over death.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | April 6, 2007; 09:11 AM ET | Comments (33)
Is the Media Motivated by Ideology or Greed?
I find it easier to explain the media by realizing that the principal goal of people running media companies is to make money for themselves and their stockholders.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | March 29, 2007; 08:54 AM ET | Comments (34)
Not With a Bang but a Whimper
Which position I favor varies from day to day depending on my own psyche and what I read in the morning newspaper.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | March 22, 2007; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (39)
