How do you teach a machine right from wrong? Addressing the morality within Artificial Intelligence

How do you teach a machine right from wrong? Addressing the morality within Artificial Intelligence | National Post

Death row inmate’s last words on the gurney: ‘A man is much more than his worst mistake’

Death row inmate’s last words on the gurney: ‘A man is much more than his worst mistake’ | National Post

Polish archaeologists discover what may be the oldest Egyptian Christian church

Polish archaeologists discover what may be the oldest Egyptian Christian church

Conscience rights bill has ‘groundswell’ of support, says MP Anderson

Conscience rights bill has ‘groundswell’ of support, says MP Anderson

Holy Cloth for Mom

Holy Cloth for Mom

Double-barreled McCarrick news perfectly captures accountability challenge

Double-barreled McCarrick news perfectly captures accountability challenge

One hundred years ago, an eclipse changed physics and made Einstein an icon

One hundred years ago, an eclipse changed physics and made Einstein an icon | National Post

McCarrick Correspondence Confirms Restrictions, Speaks to Wuerl and China

So Archbishop Vigano was telling the truth after all when he said that McCarrick had been sanctioned by the Vatican and that Pope Francis was aware of this fact.



McCarrick Correspondence Confirms Restrictions, Speaks to Wuerl and China - The Tablet

The hierarchy of disagreement: The best and worst argument techniques

The hierarchy of disagreement: The best and worst argument techniques - Big Think

Archbishop Lori calls four new transitional deacons to be ‘gentle in ministry’

Zach Crowley on far left - Evan Ponton on far right

I had the honor of participating in this ordination ceremony as both Zach Crowley and Evan Ponton became friends during my sabbatical stay at St. Mary's Seminary. Any diocese would be blessed to count either of these excellent men as clerics. Baltimore is doubly blessed to have them both. Thank you Zach and Evan for allowing me to concelebrate your ordinations. May you both be blessed with a ministry as rich and fulfilling as mine has been.



Ad multos annos!!



Archbishop Lori calls four new transitional deacons to be ‘gentle in ministry’ | Archdiocese of Baltimore

Parents given chance to use sperm from deceased son to produce male heir raises ethical concerns

Parents given chance to use sperm from deceased son to produce male heir raises ethical concerns | National Post

Pope talks McCarrick, walls, women’s rights, abortion and more in interview

Pope talks McCarrick, walls, women’s rights, abortion and more in interview

Are you being called to be a priest?

Are you being called to be a priest?

Rooting Out the Vermin: Bishop Robert Barron's Letter to a Suffering Church

Rooting Out the Vermin: Bishop Robert Barron's Letter to a Suffering Church

Father Stuart MacDonald, JCL, on Our Battle-Weary Priesthood

Father Stuart MacDonald, JCL, on Our Battle-Weary Priesthood

Friends, colleagues hail Jean Vanier as ‘modern-day prophet’

Friends, colleagues hail Jean Vanier as ‘modern-day prophet’

Did Catholic Relief Services Director Participate in Pagan Ritual?

Did Catholic Relief Services Director Participate in Pagan Ritual? - The Lepanto Institute

Pope Francis Denies He Knew of Abuse by McCarrick

Pope Francis Denies He Knew of Abuse by McCarrick - The New York Times

‘She was suffering too much’: Montreal man who suffocated sick wife with pillow sentenced to two years in prison

‘She was suffering too much’: Montreal man who suffocated sick wife with pillow sentenced to two years in prison | National Post

6 months later, gene-edited babies stir new interest, debate

6 months later, gene-edited babies stir new interest, debate | CTV News

Most Canadians think Catholic Church has handled sexual abuse scandal poorly: poll

Most Canadians think Catholic Church has handled sexual abuse scandal poorly: poll | Pembroke Daily Observer

McCarrick correspondence confirms restrictions, speaks to Wuerl and China

McCarrick correspondence confirms restrictions, speaks to Wuerl and China

What is the "Catechism" that some Catholics quote so frequently?

What is the "Catechism" that some Catholics quote so frequently? --Aleteia

A thousand scientists tackle the “science is opposed to faith” myth

A thousand scientists tackle the “science is opposed to faith” myth

Pope Francis: Foster a culture that recognises the value of life

Pope Francis: Foster a culture that recognises the value of life - Catholic Outlook

Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was allowed to travel in spite of Vatican restrictions over alleged sexual abuse, Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo letters show

Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was allowed to travel in spite of Vatican restrictions over alleged sexual abuse, Monsignor Anthony Figueiredo letters show - CBS News

Parents suing hospital for 'wrongful pregnancy'

Parents suing hospital for 'wrongful pregnancy' | CTV News

Think twice before you argue for the end of the Catholic school system

Smol: Think twice before you argue for the end of the Catholic school system | Ottawa Citizen

Westmeath flooding 2019

Is this damned flood ever going to end? This is what it looked like on the Ontario shore opposite my cottage on May 26th.  The level of damage is just as bad on the Quebec side but we can't even start to assess the extent of the damage until the river level drops below flood levels.

Why it matters 9K churches and religious spaces will close over next 10 years

Why it matters 9K churches and religious spaces will close over next 10 years | CBC News

Archbishop Broglio: Service to Nation is Faithful to the Commandment to Love

Archbishop Broglio: Service to Nation is Faithful to the Commandment to Love

Neuroethicists warn of extraordinary claims from 'neurowearables'

Neuroethicists warn of extraordinary claims from 'neurowearables' | CBC Radio

Avery Dulles on women and the priesthood (from 1996)

Avery Dulles on women and the priesthood (from 1996) | America Magazine

5 Things you should never say to someone who’s grieving

5 Things you should never say to someone who’s grieving

An important bit of spiritual wisdom that we all should practice in our daily lives

One-third of Canadians don't want politicians to wear religious symbols

One-third of Canadians don't want politicians to wear religious symbols: poll | CTV News

G'Day! G'Day!! Ottawa Valley accent named 'Canada's sexiest'.

WITH POLL: Ottawa Valley accent named 'Canada's sexiest' | InsideOttawaValley.com

Pope Francis has church reform on his mind

Pope Francis has church reform on his mind- La Croix International

Saintly Insights Into Healing Broken Friendships

Saintly Insights Into Healing Broken Friendships:

Italian bishops decree 'moral obligation' to report abuse to police

Italian bishops decree 'moral obligation' to report abuse to police

In the Vatican's 'Game of Thrones,' can Pope Francis 'break the wheel'?

In the Vatican's 'Game of Thrones,' can Pope Francis 'break the wheel'?

Carroll Was Wrong About Change in the Catholic Church: Critics of the 2,000-year-old Catholic Church should understand how institutional change actually takes place.

Carroll Was Wrong About Change in the Catholic Church - The Atlantic

Another setback in conscience fight

Another setback in conscience fight

Argentinian doctor convicted of refusing to perform abortion

Argentinian doctor convicted of refusing to perform abortion

China’s Orwellian War on Religion - The New York Times

Opinion | China’s Orwellian War on Religion - The New York Times

‘Riveting and unflinching’ clergy abuse trial film Prey wins $50K Hot Docs audience prize

‘Riveting and unflinching’ clergy abuse trial film Prey wins $50K Hot Docs audience prize | Sylvia's Site

James Carroll's Cover Story Is Wrong About Catholicism : A Priestless Church Simply Isn’t Catholic.

James Carroll's Cover Story Is Wrong About Catholicism - The Atlantic

The Pell Case: Developments Down Under

The Pell Case: Developments Down Under | George Weigel | First Things

Seeing Abortion:Biology and metaphysics be damned: our subjective decisions determine reality—and the result is state-sanctioned infanticide.

Seeing Abortion

Thou Art a Priest Forever: An answer to James Carroll's call to abolish the priesthood

Thou Art a Priest Forever | Paul V. Mankowski | First Things

Infecting People Isn’t a Religious Right

Opinion | Infecting People Isn’t a Religious Right - The New York Times

LA Archbishop says amended confession bill still targets priests, Catholic employees

LA Archbishop says amended confession bill still targets priests, Catholic employees

Pope Francis: Bishops Who Do Not Know Their Priests Weaken the Church

Pope Francis: Bishops Who Do Not Know Their Priests Weaken the Church

'Cultural Nihilism' by R. R. Reno

Cultural Nihilism by R. R. Reno | Articles | First Things

Traditional Christianity All But Kaput In Western Europe, And Even USA – William M. Briggs

Traditional Christianity All But Kaput In Western Europe, And Even USA – William M. Briggs

Defusing a Culture of Contempt: Arthur Brooks on How to ‘Disagree Better’

Defusing a Culture of Contempt: Arthur Brooks on How to ‘Disagree Better’

As ‘Nones’ Rise in Numbers, Catholic Church Faces Evangelization Challenge

As ‘Nones’ Rise in Numbers, Catholic Church Faces Evangelization Challenge

Bishop Barron’s ‘Letter to a Suffering Church’ a worthwhile read

Bishop Barron’s ‘Letter to a Suffering Church’ a worthwhile read

Catholic bishop challenges Dallas police affidavit accuracy

Catholic bishop challenges Dallas police affidavit accuracy - ABC News

Dallas police raid shows new push to investigate Catholic clergy abuses

Dallas police raid shows new push to investigate Catholic clergy abuses | Dallas Police | Dallas News

4-year-old can begin transgender transition, says UK court

BioEdge: 4-year-old can begin transgender transition, says UK court

Motu Proprio Lays Groundwork for Action Against Abuse

Motu Proprio Lays Groundwork for Action Against Abuse

Abolish the Priesthood? A Young Priest Responds

Abolish the Priesthood? A Young Priest Responds

Jean Vanier’s funeral highlights God’s love for each person

Jean Vanier’s funeral highlights God’s love for each person | America Magazine

Pope Francis to health care workers: Conscientious objection must be respectful

Pope Francis to health care workers: Conscientious objection must be respectful | America Magazine

With Ontario court’s ruling on doctors, the revolution continues: There is a growing antipathy among Canadian elites against conscientious individuals who refuse to accept their views.

With Ontario court’s ruling on doctors, the revolution continues | National Post

The Big Story You Don’t Read About - The latest from David Brooks of the NYT

Opinion | The Big Story You Don’t Read About - The New York Times

The Supreme Court should have never intervened on abortion - The Washington Post

The Supreme Court should have never intervened on abortion - The Washington Post

The Catholic Church Should Abolish the Priesthood: Really?

The Catholic Church Should Abolish the Priesthood - The Atlantic

California confession debate pivots on how to keep children safe

California confession debate pivots on how to keep children safe

She May Have Saved a Life. Then She Was Arrested.

Opinion | She May Have Saved a Life. Then She Was Arrested. - The New York Times

Appeal court says doctors have to give referrals for services they oppose

Appeal court says doctors have to give referrals for services they oppose | CTV News

New Priests Post-McCarrick: Saddened, Angered, Determined to Be Faithful

New Priests Post-McCarrick: Saddened, Angered, Determined to Be Faithful

The Work Respect Gap: We need to recover the idea of the intrinsic dignity of any kind of honest work.

The Work Respect Gap

Make Fidelity Great Again

Make Fidelity Great Again

Was Cardinal George Pell Convicted on Copycat Testimony?

Was Cardinal George Pell Convicted on Copycat Testimony?

Catholic women divided over pope's remarks on female deacons

Catholic women divided over pope's remarks on female deacons

Faith and reason are under attack. The Catholic Church must defend both

Faith and reason are under attack. The Catholic Church must defend both | Blogs | LifeSite

Pope Francis’ almsgiver restores power (illegally) to homeless shelter in Italy

Pope Francis’ almsgiver restores power (illegally) to homeless shelter in Italy | America Magazine

Re-thinking best spot for the bishop’s chair

Fr. Raymond J. de Souza: Re-thinking best spot for the bishop’s chair

Record high flood waters in our parishes!

Barron urges Catholics not to quit over scandals, but stay and fight

Barron urges Catholics not to quit over scandals, but stay and fight

Pope Permits Pilgrimages to Medjugorje as Apparitions Continue to be Studied

Pope Permits Pilgrimages to Medjugorje as Apparitions Continue to be Studied

Some Quebec bishops uneasy with pro-life leader's anti-Francis stance

Some Quebec bishops have expressed discomfort that the main Quebec organizer for the May 9 National March for Life in Ottawa signed a letter accusing Pope Francis of heresy.



Some Quebec bishops uneasy with pro-life leader's anti-Francis stance:

A Catholic Priest Twenty-five Years Wrongly Imprisoned in America

(8) A Catholic Priest Twenty-five Years Wrongly Imprisoned in America | LinkedIn

The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis

The Puzzling Pontificate of Pope Francis:

Catholic Culture Has Changed Forever: And That’s a Good Thing

Catholic Culture Has Changed Forever: And That’s a Good Thing:

Vatican establishes new rule for sexual abuse complaints and coverups involving bishops

The guidelines call for all dioceses to create easily accessible offices to receive abuse claims.



Vatican establishes new rule for sexual abuse complaints and coverups involving bishops - The Washington Post:

The Difference Between Happiness and Joy: The latest from David Brooks of The New York Times

Opinion | The Difference Between Happiness and Joy - The New York Times:

We Are Taking Religious Freedom Too Far

We have a right to practice our beliefs, but we don’t have the right to discriminate against others, or endanger their lives.



Opinion | We Are Taking Religious Freedom Too Far - The New York Times:

The Seal of the Confessional Is Under Attack in California

The Seal of the Confessional Is Under Attack in California:

Pope says study of ordaining women deacons so far inconclusive

Speaking to journalists on board his flight from Skopje to Rome Tuesday, Pope Francis offered an update on the debate over women deacons, telling journalists the study he launchd two years ago is inconclusive, and the topic needs further study.



Pope says study of ordaining women deacons so far inconclusive:

'On the Composting of Thee and Me' from George Weigel

Radical environmentalism in the form of human composting leads to ecological nihilism.



On the Composting of Thee and Me | George Weigel | First Things:

Jean Vanier, Canadian philanthropist and Catholic hero to developmentally disabled, dies at 90

'He felt a calling to defend the most marginalized. He gave them a voice'



Jean Vanier, Canadian philanthropist and Catholic hero to developmentally disabled, dies at 90 | National Post:

Our politicians may not care, but Christians are under siege across the world

An Italian study calculates that in 2016 a Christian was killed for his or her faith every six minutes, and the trend is accelerating.



Barbara Kay: Our politicians may not care, but Christians are under siege across the world | National Post:

Support Freedom of Conscience for Our Doctors

Ever since the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2016, there has been a growing political pressure on medical professionals to participate in these unconscionable acts. Many worry that they will lose their jobs or suffer discrimination if they refuse to actively kill their patients – or if they refuse to refer a patient for killing.



Support Freedom of Conscience for Our Doctors | CitizenGO:

Benedict’s Essay Broadens Conversation on Causes of Crisis

COMMENTARY: The pope emeritus’ essay invites examination of three particular causes of the sex-abuse problem that has plagued the Church.



Benedict’s Essay Broadens Conversation on Causes of Crisis:

With death of Jean Vanier, Catholicism loses a living saint

Jean Vanier, who was 90, died from cancer Tuesday morning in a facility in Paris run by the L’Arche community that he founded in 1964.



With death of Jean Vanier, Catholicism loses a living saint:

Is Pope Francis a plagiarist or does he have a ghost writer?

It turns out that the most important footnote in 'Amoris Laetitia' may be one that's not there, because a key passage of the document is lifted almost verbatim from a 1995 essay in theology by Archbishop Victor Fernandez -- raising troubling questions about Fernandez's role as ghostwriter, and the magisterial force of his ideas.



Ethicist says ghostwriter's role in 'Amoris' is troubling:

For people with dementia, a fight for the right to die

 The Alzheimer Society of Canada is reconsidering its position on advanced requests for assisted death, amidst a difficult debate about the rights of those with dementia.



For people with dementia, a fight for the right to die - Macleans.ca:

'Over the moon': Harry and Meghan welcome 'very healthy' baby boy

Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have welcomed a “very healthy” baby boy.



'Over the moon': Harry and Meghan welcome 'very healthy' baby boy | CTV News:

Hey, Alexa: Stop recording me. When Alexa runs your home, Amazon tracks you in more ways than you might want.

Hey, Alexa: Stop recording me - The Washington Post:

California Confession bill a danger to all religions, says Dominican priest

A proposed bill in California would see the state place requirements on Priests to report suspected child abuse revealed through confession. If passed the law would put the clergy in an uncomfortable position between their faith and the laws of the state.



California Confession bill a danger to all religions, says Dominican priest:

How can I love my gay uncle and remain true to my Catholic priesthood? The only answer is, I don't know.

How can I love my gay uncle and remain true to my Catholic priesthood? The only answer is, I don't know | Commentary | Dallas News:

Overplaying the Heretical Hand

Is Pope Francis a heretic? So claims the recent letter, signed by various theological luminaries of various stripes, including, to my surprise, the Dominican priest, Father Aidan Nichols, whose sharp mind, I would have thought, might have seen through the limitations of this radical claim.



Overplaying the Heretical Hand « Catholic Insight: 

Putting the ‘Holy’ in ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’: A Visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe

Putting the ‘Holy’ in ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’:

Euthanasia dropped 7% in the Netherlands in 2018

BioEdge: Euthanasia dropped 7% in the Netherlands in 2018:

Virginia parish institute reaches for the stars on Catholic lecture circuit

Virginia parish institute reaches for the stars on Catholic lecture circuit | National Catholic Reporter:

Students press Notre Dame to adopt anti-porn WiFi filter

Student activists say Notre Dame is refusing to adopt an anti-porn filter for its on-campus WiFi system.



Students press Notre Dame to adopt anti-porn WiFi filter:

On Charging a Pope with Heresy: If you are going to charge anybody (especially the pope) with heresy, you need to prove your case, and this letter doesn’t.

On Charging a Pope with Heresy:

Ukraine Presidential Election Was a Rebuke to Moscow

A thriving, independent Ukraine will, like nothing else, guarantee the frustration of Vladimir Putin’s designs to re-create something resembling the old Soviet space.



Ukraine Presidential Election Was a Rebuke to Moscow | National Review:

Are We Living in a Post-Christian World?

It has been said that our world is becoming a “post-Christian” world. This means that, over the course of recent generations, there has been an observed decline in the Church’s influence over society. Christianity is no longer the dominant religion in many places where it used to be, giving way to a secularist worldview.



Are We Living in a Post-Christian World?:

Farming never sounded so good!!

'Tolkien' biopic provides an entertaining, but brief glimpse into life of famous Catholic author

The movie is a snapshot of J.R.R. Tolkien's early life that leaves the viewer with a desire to dig deeper into the creator of Middle Earth.



'Tolkien' biopic provides an entertaining, but brief glimpse into life of famous Catholic author --Aleteia:

Catholic University sex abuse series wraps with starkly different viewpoints

Catholic University sex abuse series wraps with starkly different viewpoints | National Catholic Reporter:

USA Today tries to explain why many Catholics are hitting the exits, but finds only one reason

USA Today tries to explain why many Catholics are hitting the exits, but finds only one reason — GetReligion:

Truth-Telling and Big Abortion: The latest from George Weigel

Truth-Telling and Big Abortion | George Weigel | First Things:

Legal dispute between trans child and father takes new turn over freedom of expression

A B.C. Supreme Court judge ordered the father to stop publicly discussing the case after finding some of his actions exposed his child to significant harm.



Legal dispute between trans child and father takes new turn over freedom of expression | Ottawa Citizen:

U.S. religious freedom body wants China sanctioned for human rights abuses

A new report shows that anti-Christian persecution continues to climb around the globe.



U.S. religious freedom body wants China sanctioned for human rights abuses:

Notre Dame Burned but the Smoke of Satan Is More Subtle

As the Cathedral of Notre Dame burned in Holy Week, Paris and the world reacted in deep sorrow. Now is the time to rediscover what it means to be a Church Triumphant.



Notre Dame Burned but the Smoke of Satan Is More Subtle: