Pax Christi South

The Iowa Independent reports that a minister who spoke at John McCain’s rally in Davenport, IA today injected a divisive statement into his invocation. Here’s what Pastor Arnold Conrad said: I would also pray, Lord, that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around [...]

I read an editorial in the New York Times today that astounded me. I guess I am a bit naïve when it comes to politics and some fundamentalist traditions. To read the entire provocative editorial please go to http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21kristof.html?ref=opinion. I believe that some people are convinced, without any evidence, that Obama is a Muslim because [...]

And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23) While he was [...]

[This is a talk that I gave after the Masses this weekend to introduce our Vote Out Poverty initiative.] I am here to speak about an initiative we are undertaking as a faith community to reduce the ravages of poverty. Poverty is an issue in this community. At the end of August, Fred Sickle told [...]

Well intentioned but very misinformed critics and Catholics are lamenting Obama’s choice of Biden. Their opposition centers on the abortion issue. I use the word “misinformed” advisedly. They will tell you that the American bishops for years have told us that we cannot vote for a candidate who is pro-life. Au contraire. Obviously, these one-issue [...]

The so-called war on terror has provoked a lot of discussion on patriotism. Last fall, when Joan and I walked in the anti-war march in Orlando, we encountered a group called “Gathering of Eagles.” These self-styled super patriots make it a point to attend such marches and to harass the marchers. They call us “moonbats”—liberals! [...]

Our scriptures, while the inspired word of the Creator, present revelation through androcentric (male focused viewpoint) and patriarchal lenses. We often forget that creation is the first revelation of the Creator. The role of the feminine found in religions with roots in the created world was obliterated. Hence, religion as we know it, lost the [...]

I am going to tell you about the people I met on this pilgrimage. I felt throughout the time spent there, that we were in an extremely difficult and complex situation. I am convinced we cannot take sides in this conflict. We cannot be part of the solution for peace if we call one side [...]

The election for President monopolizes the news. Before you can pass go and collect $200, you must hear about one more campaign tidbit from yet another expert. Today’s scripture reading from Mark 12:28-34 brings a Christian perspective to bear on election politics.

Great Mystery Flashing forth the universe Fifteen billion years ago— Flashing, flaming, Spewing forth from nothingness. Slowly evolving amid extinctions, Growing, expanding, bursting forth. Much later, much much later, Earth cools, gels and solidifies. Life forms emerging. At first oxygen destroys And then it gives life. Late in the eleventh hour, Man stands upright and [...]