News in Articles

Jerusalem: Holy City, Open City

Jerusalem: Holy City, Open City

by: Giovanni Sale, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

The year 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. The United Nations resolution of November 29, 1947, had established that two independent and sovereign states would be created from the Palestinian territory, ex British Mandate: one Jewish and one Palestinian. This resolution created the so-called “partition plan” that met with opposition from Arab countries. It was never actually implemented.

Magnanimity

Magnanimity

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

We’re invited both by Jesus and by what’s best inside us to become big enough of heart and mind to know that it’s a sin not to give a compliment, to know that even though biblically we may do capital punishment we still shouldn’t do it, and to know that we’re better women and men when we are bigger than any slight we experience within a given moment.

Japan In The New Imperial Era ‘Reiwa’

Japan In The New Imperial Era ‘Reiwa’

by: Giovanni Sale, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

April 30 and May 1, 2019, have become part of Japan’s modern history. They will be remembered for the abdication of Emperor Akihito (the only abdication in the last two centuries), the ascent to the Chrysanthemum Throne of his son, Naruhito, and for the beginning of a new “imperial era,” along with a new period for Japan’s traditional calendar (now beginning from year 1).

On Self-Hatred and Guilt

On Self-Hatred and Guilt

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

I’m not someone who’s easily upset by religious jokes. Humor is supposed to have an edge and comedians play an important archetypal role here, that of the “Court Jester” whose task it is to deflate whatever’s pompous. Religion is often fair game. Indeed, I appreciated the wit in this wisecrack.

Protection of Minors: A Global Mission for a Church that Goes Forth

Protection of Minors: A Global Mission for a Church that Goes Forth

by: Federico Lombardi, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

 United Nations Assembly (1959), and later in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), signed over time by 196 countries of the world, states: “In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”

Money and Happiness

Money and Happiness

by: Giovanni Cucci, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

One of the most deeply rooted symbols in people’s imagination today is the association between happiness and wealth with its many derivatives (consumerism, power and accumulation). Even when the dream is never realized, the conviction remains that it is the lesser evil. As Woody Allen says, “If money can’t make us happy, forget about poverty.”

Inadequacy, Hurt and Reconciliation

Inadequacy, Hurt and Reconciliation

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

Even with the best intentions, even with no malice inside us, even when we are faithful, we sometimes cannot not hurt each other. Our human situation is simply too complex at times for us not to wound each other.

Human Trafficking and the Dignity of Work

Human Trafficking and the Dignity of Work

by: Andrea Vicini, SJ - Brett O'Neill, SJ : La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

The campaign against human trafficking is one of the most important and urgent global social responsibilities of our time. In order to deal with the exploitation and violence on which trafficking depends and which it promotes, it is necessary to examine the phenomenon of coercive labor and other dehumanizing working conditions.

The Little Way

The Little Way

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

Most of us have heard of St. Therese of Lisieux, a French mystic who died at age 24 in 1897 and who is perhaps the most popular saint of the last two centuries. She’s famous for many things, not least for a spirituality she called her “little way”.  What’s her “little way”?

‘Humana Communitas’ Human life in the drama of relationships

‘Humana Communitas’ Human life in the drama of relationships

by: Carlo Casalone, SJ - L aCiviltà Cattolica in Articles,

Life must be protected throughout its entire development, and the Academy is urged to address the issues posed by global bioethics and technologies, proceeding with discernment and fostering dialogue in the plurality of scientific wisdom traditions, religious perspectives and worldviews.

The Bible in Evangelization Today

The Bible in Evangelization Today

by: Saverio Corradino, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

“The sacred Scriptures are the very source of evangelization” is the statement Pope Francis uses in Evangelii Gaudium (EG) to conclude the section dedicated to the proclamation of the Word. It is a page that is simple and at the same time complex. Simple, because there can be no true evangelization without the Scriptures; complex, because it is necessary to explain why the Church has “lost” the Bible during its history.

Inculturation in Africa: Challenges and Prospects

Inculturation in Africa: Challenges and Prospects

by: Marcel Uwineza, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

The theme of inculturation is not new among African theologians, especially in recent studies. Because of its importance, we carried out a brief investigation to observe how the process of inculturation has been at the center of the Church for centuries. 

Urban Life and Citizenship: the Future of Freedom

Urban Life and Citizenship: the Future of Freedom

by: Juan Antonio Guerrero, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

What does it mean to be a citizen in today’s Western societies? There is often talk of a certain discomfort with the responsibilities that come with citizenship. Why? We will look here at three areas where we spend our daily lives as citizens.

The Prosperity Gospel: Dangerous and Different

The Prosperity Gospel: Dangerous and Different

by: Antonio Spadaro, SJ - La Civiltà Catolica in Articles,

The “prosperity gospel” is a well-known theological current emerging from the neo-Pentecostal evangelical movements. At its heart is the belief that God wants his followers to have a prosperous life, that is, to be rich, healthy and happy.

‘Every Morning the World is Created’: Nature and transcendence in the poetry of Mary Oliver

‘Every Morning the World is Created’: Nature and transcendence in the poetry of Mary Oliver

by: Antonio Spadaro, SJ - Elena Buia - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

Mary Oliver passed away at age 84 in Hobe Sound, Florida, January 17, 2019. She was one of the most widely read and appreciated poets in the United States. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (1984) and numerous other honors, including four honorary doctorates and the National Book Award (1992), Mary Oliver owed the success of her vast poetic and non-fiction output (almost 30 volumes of poetry, and prose) to her ability to touch the key questions of existence through an immediate and familiar dialogue with the reader.

Deep Incarnation - Another Meaning of Christmas

Deep Incarnation - Another Meaning of Christmas

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

“I love my dog. When he dies will he go to heaven? Do animals have eternal life?” The answer to that might come as a surprise to many of us, but, looked at through the eyes of Christian faith, yes, his dog can go to heaven. It’s one of the meanings of Christmas. God came into the world to save the world, not just the people living in it.

Justice and Charity - Revisited

Justice and Charity - Revisited

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

We’re all familiar, I suspect, with the difference between justice and charity. Charity is giving away some of your time, energy, resources, and person so as to help to others in need. And that’s an admirable virtue, the sign of a good heart. Justice, on the other hand, is less about directly giving something away than it is about looking to change the conditions and systems that put others in need.

What Young People Think of Their Future

What Young People Think of Their Future

by: GianPaolo Salvini, SJ - La Civiltà Cattolica in Articles,

The results of an international sociological research project were recently presented in Rome. It looked to explore what young people think about their own personal futures and how they view the outlook for their families and for the local and national communities in the countries where they live.

What would Jesus do?

What would Jesus do?

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

What would Jesus do? For some Christians, that’s the easy answer to every question.  In every situation all we need to ask is: What would Jesus do? At a deep level, that’s actually true. Jesus is the ultimate criterion. He is the way, the truth, and the life and anything that contradicts him is not a way to God. Yet, I suspect, many of us find ourselves irritated in how that expression is often used in simplistic ways, as a fundamentalism difficult to digest. 

What Constitutes Fidelity

What Constitutes Fidelity

by: Ron Rolheiser, OMI in Articles,

It’s becoming increasing difficult in today’s world to trust anything or anybody, for good reason. There’s little that’s stable, safe to lean on, trustworthy. We live in a world where everything is in flux, is flux, where everywhere we see distrust, abandoned values, debunked creeds, people moving on from where they used to be, contradictory information, and dishonesty and lying as socially and morally acceptable. There is little left of trust in our world.