Archive
After Thay: Plum Village Reckons With the Loss of Its Founder
This article was originally published on Tricycle with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Monastics in long brown robes entered the hall for formal lunch in order of seniority, the longest ordained …
Conflict and Congregations: How Churches Respond to Politics and the Pandemic
As the 2022 midterm elections approach, little can be predicted—except, perhaps, that they will further cement the deep divides in our country. Those divides often extend into religious congregations. CRCC is a …
Brother Chân Pháp Dung: Where the Search for Simplicity Leads
This article was originally published in Yes Magazine, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Before entering monastic life, Brother Chân Pháp Dung gave away his worldly possessions. The last step …
Teachers Turn to Mindfulness After a Stressful Pandemic Year
This article was originally published in Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. The past school year was the most challenging in Jon Salunga’s teaching career. It was …
Voices of Women and People of Color Must Be Part of Catholic Social Teaching Discussion
This article was originally published in the National Catholic Reporter. In a recent essay, Francis X. Rocca of the Wall Street Journal argued that Catholic social teaching presents a framework for uniting America, noting …
Mindfulness in a time of Dis-ease: Breathing through Cancer, COVID & Climate Change
This article was originally published in Mindfully Speaking, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. My mind was racing. I couldn’t sleep despite the fatigue of the first trimester …
Celebrating Thich Nhat Hanh’s Influence on his 94th Birthday
Thich Nhat Hanh’s 94th birthday—or continuation day—is Oct 11. In honor of the day, Plum Village monastics asked his friends and students to share short reflections on how Thay, as his followers …
Evangelicals Versus Oil: Environmental Justice in South Los Angeles
This article originally appeared in the June 2018 issue of Sojourners magazine. Sentinel Peak Resources recently announced its intention to abandon petroleum production at its Jefferson Boulevard site. The families arrived early …
Why–and How–Catholic Women Vote
I was not surprised when the editors of America told me that their recent survey of American Catholic women indicated that Catholic teaching didn’t influence women’s votes. Sociologists and polls often show …
VP Debate: Tim Kaine and American Religion in Flux
Tim Kaine’s faith story is an essential part of his stump speech. At the vice presidential debate, the Democratic candidate mentioned his missionary year in his response to the first question, then …
Pope Francis’ ‘Joy of Love’ Exhortation Won’t Resolve Catholic Tensions on Marriage and Sex
This post originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times. When my parents went to schedule my older brother’s baptism at a Catholic church, the priest told them their baby was a bastard. …
Change Is Happening in the Catholic Church, Just Not on Holy Thursday
This post originally appeared on On Being with Krista Tippett. Even when I feel disconnected from my faith, Holy Thursday draws me to church. The call to follow Jesus’ example and wash …
Jim Wallis: Black Lives Matter’s Challenge to Faith Leaders
Progressive Evangelical leader Jim Wallis wants Christians to take on the challenges of racism in the United States. He spoke about race, religion and Black Lives Matter with the USC Cecil Murray …
Will a Thriving Singles Scene Renew American Catholicism?
This post originally appeared on Religion Dispatches. As the choir rehearses before St. Monica’s Sunday evening Mass, two blond women in skinny jeans slide into a pew in the rear of the …
Los Angeles Rallies Around Muslim Americans After Terrorist Attacks
Japanese and Muslim American groups, as well as other supporters, gathered for a candlelight vigil in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood to remember the victims of recent terrorist attacks and stand up …
Learning from History: The Japanese Internment and Reactions to Muslim Americans
When Roanoke, Virginia Mayor David Bowers referred to the internment of the Japanese Americans in the context of the terrorist attacks by ISIS, he wasn’t the first to see the parallels between …
Praying for Rain in California
This piece originally appeared in the Yale ISM Review. “As an American Indian, all my life I have been cursed with the myth of the ‘Indian rain dance,’” Johnny P. Flynn wrote …
Is the Pope’s Concern for Immigration Just a “Numbers Game”?
This post originally appeared on Religion Dispatches. Pope Francis may differ greatly in tone from Pope Benedict, but on many social issues Francis can expect the same pushback his predecessor received in …
With Young Adult Catholics in Decline, Who’s Going to See Pope Francis?
This article originally appeared on Religion News Service: LOS ANGELES (RNS) When Regina Bunye catches sight of Pope Francis in Philadelphia on Saturday (Sept. 26), it won’t be her first glimpse of the …
Pope Francis Loves Nuns, But Can the Divide Between Sisters and Vatican Be Healed?
This post originally appeared on Religion Dispatches. Pope Francis confessed his love for a woman—for many women, actually—on national television this month. After talking with immigrant families in McAllen, Texas on the …