World Youth Day 2011, to be held in Madrid, Spain, from Aug. 16-21, will be an important moment in Pope Benedict XVI’s campaign to remind Europe of its Christian roots and to call Europe to a nobler understanding of democracy. As the Holy Father demonstrated in an address in Zagreb, Croatia, in early June, the two parts of that campaign — the recovery of Christian roots and the deepening of 21st-century Europe’s idea of democracy — go together.

In remarks to Croatia’s religious, political, business and cultural leaders in Zagreb’s National Theater, the Pope refined into six digestible propositions the case he has been making about religion and society ever since his election to the papacy...READ MORE

A Star Shines in Madrid - Sandro Magister, Chiesa

Novel New Confessionals Erected for World Youth Day - Susan Brinkmann OCDS, Women of Grace

Publishers Race to Print New Sunday Missals - Mark Greaves, Catholic Herald

Why is there a Giant Obelisk in the Vatican? - Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service

The Universal Call to Holiness - Jim Graves, The Catholic World Report

What Cannot Be Displeasing to the Lord My King - Fr. James V. Schall SJ, The Catholic Thing

An Approach to Evangelization for Catholic Men - Maurice Blumberg, Catholic Lane

St. Dominic in Art and Faith - John Whitehead, Once I Was A Clever Boy

Eight Priests Survived Unscathed the Hiroshima Bomb(at Epicenter) - Richard...READ MORE

It’s “American Saints Week” at the Register.

Continuing our miniseries, about sainthood causes introduced in the United States that continue to be investigated by Rome, we examine several new causes that have been introduced.

Father Aloysius Ellacuria, C.M.F.

Three new causes have recently been introduced: a petition for Basque Claretian priest and mystic Father Aloysius Ellacuria, C.M.F., in the Los Angeles Archdiocese on May 2; Opus Dei Father Joseph Muzquiz in the Archdiocese of Boston on June 2, and mother and mystic Maria Esperanza de Bianchini in the Metuchen, N.J. Diocese, last January.

From the 1950s through 1970s, Father Ellacuria, or Father Aloysius as he was popularly...READ MORE

LONDON (EWTN News/CNA) — Widespread rioting across England has been condemned by the country’s most senior Catholic cleric.

“The scenes of the last few nights in parts of London and elsewhere are shocking. The criminal violence and theft that have been witnessed are to be condemned,” said Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster in a statement Aug. 9. 

“They are a callous disregard for the common good of our society and show how easily basic principles of respect and honesty are cast aside.”

Archbishop Nichols’ comments come as numerous English towns and cities begin a clean up after another night of rioting, looting and arson. London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol are...READ MORE

If Human Society is to Heal, Return to Christian Life, Institutions Will Heal It - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, What Does The Prayer Really Say?

Three Reasons to Believe in the Real Presence - Brent Stubbs, Almost Not Catholic

For All? Or For Many? - Ebeth Weidner, Catholic Lane

Why Be Catholic? - Fr. Richard Tomasek SJ, Zeal

Myth Busters: Sola Scriptura - Brent Stubbs, Almost Not Catholic

In Defense of My Mother: Immaculate Conception - Brett Adams, Ship of St. Peter

Concerning Intelligent Design and Materialism - JC, The Nicene Guys

St. Oswald - John Whitehead, Once I Was A Clever Boy

St. Michael Hymnal Reviewed - Jeffrey A. Tucker, The Chant Café

Christendom College Graduates Exhorted:...READ MORE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (CNA) — Catholic schools in southern Indiana are set to welcome low-income students who are now able to attend non-public schools thanks to the state’s recently approved voucher program.

So far, 137 vouchers have been guaranteed for students transferring to the Catholic Diocese of Evansville system, which includes 28 schools throughout southwestern Indiana.

“The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Evansville have a proud tradition of contributing to the evangelizing mission of the Church that is distinguished by excellence and committed to educate the whole child,” diocesan superintendent Daryl Hagan wrote in the Message Online.

“Our schools are steeped in a Catholic...READ MORE

WASHINGTON (EWTN News/CNA) — U.S. bishops’ spokeswoman Sister Mary Ann Walsh blasted the Department of Health and Human Services for interfering in the work of religious hospitals that want to opt out of providing free contraceptives.

Government “must not stick its proverbial camel’s nose under the church tent,” Sister Walsh said in an Aug. 8 Huffington Post editorial. “Now, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has gone beyond nuzzling its nose where it does not belong.

“It has plunked itself right in the middle of the sanctuary. It is trying to define what a religion does and does not do.”

Her remarks come in the wake of the department’s Aug. 1 announcement that...READ MORE

I’d like to think of myself as pro-life. I’m not a member of Congress, and I don’t have a voting record. But I’ve written a few pieces, and made a few donations, and do what I can. Not all that I should. I should do more. Maybe I will after I write this rant.

It turns out I have a whole lot of work — never mind penance — to do. Because the other day, I wrote a piece praising Hitler.

You’re wondering what the heck I’m talking about, aren’t you? Color me just as confused.

When I wrote a brief “thank you” to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., for her brief but-had-to-be-overwhelming time spent on the House floor, reaction to the piece pointed directly to her abortion record.

For...READ MORE