One of the themes to emerge from the debates and discussions surrounding the Synod on the Family is the counter-cultural nature of traditional values. Yuval Levin, writing in First Things, takes up one strand of this thought, writing about the decentralization and polarization of our society–which he notes is not necessarily a bad thing. Individuals and families are searching for a sense of ... More

This coming Sunday we celebrate the great feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, also known as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the old calendar. The cross has power even for non-Christians as perhaps the most recognizable symbol in the world. In the Middle East, the cross is toppled and the black flag of Jihad is raised above ancient churches. In the persecution of Christians around the worl... More

One of the favorite arguments of libertarians and liberals alike when it comes to the debate over redefining the institution of marriage is that when two consenting adults pledge their lives to each other it does not affect anyone else. The assertion that government recognition of same-sex marriage for someone else does not diminish your marriage is repeated incessantly, but repetition of a lie do... More

Today is the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe who is also known as the Apostle of Consecration to Mary. During the Second World War, Kolbe sheltered many Polish Jews in his friary. In 1941, he was arrested and later transferred to the Auschwitz death camp as prisoner #16670. In July of that year, Fr. Kolbe volunteered to take the place of a man who had cried out, “My wife! My children!” when cond... More

Two-hundred ten years ago this Sunday, on August 3, 1804 at half past two o’clock in the afternoon, Commodore Edward Preble raised the signal for his squadron to commence the bombardment of the harbor of Tripoli. His second division of gunboats was commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur, who had won international renown for his earlier daring exploits rescuing the crew of the U.S.S. Philadelphia. ... More

If you believe the liberal media, the Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. is the most sweeping and revolutionary case since Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Of course they’re right, but not for the reasons they suppose. Nothing has changed, but then everything has changed. In the particulars, this was a very narrow ruling, but the legal landscape has been transfo... More

On a Sunday in June, one century ago tomorrow, Franz Ferdinand Karl Ludwig Josef von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia and his loving wife, Sophie Maria Josephine Albina Grafin Chotek von Chotkow und Wognin, Duchess of Hohenberg were shot in cold blood in front of a German delicatessen in Sarajevo after their driver made the mos... More

The Catholic teaching of just war is an extension of the duty of men to protect women and children from violence, but Meriam Ibrahim and her two children are sitting in prison and she will likely earn the martyr’s crown of glory for her courageous defense of their Christian faith while the cowardly deserter Bowe Bergdahl is free. To add insult to injury, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, of ... More

In America, we are all blessed with the freedom to practice our religious beliefs, not only in the secret depths of our hearts but fully and openly in the public square. Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and Muslims have fought side-by-side in our wars. Memorial Day is a celebration of those brave men and women who died securing that freedom for us so that our biggest worry this weekend will be accide... More

A few weeks ago, conservatives rushed to support Brendan Eich, so if we are consistent, why shouldn’t we defend Donald Sterling too? One could argue that even if the First Amendment does not apply, it is morally objectionable for a person to be deprived of his livelihood for his beliefs–even if they are demonstrably wrong. After all, there are many people who–notwithstanding th... More