William Doino Jr.

Three weeks have passed since the Pope’s visit to Great Britain, and memories of it still fill my mind, because it was a triumph few had expected. Of all the remarkable things I saw, while blogging about it for First Things, nothing more surprised me than this … Continue Reading »

Those fortunate enough to have taken in Pope Benedict’s celebration of Cardinal Newman—at both Saturday’s  prayer vigil , and the  Mass and beatification early Sunday—were not disappointed. The solemnity of the occasion, the readings and beautiful hymns sung, the . . . . Continue Reading »

Pope Benedict’s  visit with the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury yesterday, a  warm and positive gesture , was an example of how much the two communions they lead have in common—and yet how far they remain apart. Both stressed areas of agreement and mutual appreciation; both . . . . Continue Reading »

The pope’s historic speech at Westminster Hall , the political centerpiece of his visit to Britain, was everything one could have hoped for. Principled, sincere and generous, Benedict thanked his hosts and praised those elements of British society in harmony with Catholic teaching. At the same . . . . Continue Reading »

The news that five suspected terrorists have just been arrested over an alleged plot to kill the Pope during his visit to Britain reminds us once again that prayers are called for on every step of his journey. Scotland Yard now believes they have the situation under control, and the pope, having . . . . Continue Reading »

The  Los Angeles Times , not a paper outwardly friendly to the Church, has  commented on the pope’s tour through Scotland: “More than 100,000 well-wishers greeted Benedict as he travelled the streets of Edinburgh in his specially designed Popemobile, with his shoulders wrapped . . . . Continue Reading »

Pope Benedict’s extraordinary celebration at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow was one for the ages. The liturgy was beautiful and stirring, the people’s faith obviously heartfelt, and Benedict’s homily —recalling Scotland’s Christian heritage, and the true destiny of . . . . Continue Reading »

Eamon Duffy of Cambridge University is one of the church’s great historians . He is also, at times, one of its most disappointing. The problem with Professor Duffy—maddening, to those who admire his books—is that he has no feel for contemporary Catholicism. As long as he is writing . . . . Continue Reading »

As charge after charge that Pope Pius XII failed to resist the Germans or even that he was indeed “Hitler’s Pope” has been refuted, the critics have advanced new and more remote accusations. First, critics attacked him for what he said or did (or failed to say or do) during the war… . Continue Reading »

One of the memorable songs of the 1980s is ” Living on a Thin Line “ by the Kinks. Largely unknown, it underwent something of a revival after it was used, of all things, for an episode on The Sopranos . The song has been interpreted many ways ; some think its about the fragility of . . . . Continue Reading »