National Catholic Reporter Editorial: US Catholic Colleges and Churches Should Require COVID-19 Vaccination

In an editorial the National Catholic Reporter calls for all Catholic colleges and churches in the United States to require vaccination against COVID-19. Its a smart policy move and this blog wants to enter this into the debate. Requiring vaccination needs to become public policy and how religion responds can help influence that policy. 

When Evangelical Faith is About Fearing the Catholics

In a Michelle Goldberg column in the New York Times today there is a disturbing article about evangelicals practicing nihilism. Then in the comments an observation resonated with me. It is about how many white evangelicals had contempt and actually feared Catholics. They were a threat to the county, served a Pope and their patriotism was also called into question. In my lifetime I heard some stories and my Catholic family experienced this as well. For example my late father recalled living in North Carolina in the 1960’s and seeing how Baptists were grateful that John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

Facebook Bans Lifestite News, a Popular Alt-Right Website with Catholics and Evangelicals, for Disinformation

Lifesite News is a website that is popular with fringe, nationalist Catholics and many American evangelicals. It is known for disinformation and weaponizing information in the culture wars. It has become a part of the echo chamber that cranks out dangerous misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines. In May of 2021 Lifesite News was banned from the Facebook platform due to disinformation they pushed about the COVID-19 vaccines being dangerous. 

In a Disturbing Story The Washington Post Writes About How Conspiracy Theories Are Dividing One Family

At The Washington Post recently a story was published that is deeply troubling. Its about how a conservative Roman Catholic is going down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories as she chooses her own sources of information and deciding what fact is. Her journey has even taken her to reading white supremacist material. This Post story is about how conspiracy theories are dividing a family and the conflict that has arisen between her children and her mother. Tomorrow expect a blog post looking at white evangelicals and conspiracy theories and providing some additional analysis on the problem. This article in the Post is important to understanding conspiracy theories and yet its profoundly sad to read. As always this blog encourages you to support your local newspaper.

Marty Baron, The Editor for The Washington Post Known for his Expose of the Roman Catholic Pedophilia Scandal at The Boston Globe – Is Retiring

Marty Baron is retiring. The former editor of The Boston Globe steered the newspaper through its coverage of the child sex abuse scandal within the Roman Catholic Church in Boston. It became the story of my generation, the issue of sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church. Baron who became the editor of The Washington Post retires at the end of February. This blog wishes him well and thanks Marty for his commitment to truth and investigative journalism.

In the National Catholic Reporter a Retired Catholic Priest Compares The Differences Between His Own Arrest Protesting Vietnam in 1971 with the January 6, 2021 Capitol Riot

Over at the National Catholic Reporter a retired Catholic priest wrote about his own Vietnam War protest and arrest in 1971 and compared it with the violent insurrection that occurred on January 6, 2021. This is an interesting read this blog wanted to add and encourage people to read. 

Vatican Encourages Catholics to Take COVID-19 Vaccine

The Vatican has stated that the vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer for the COPVID-19 pandemic can be used. In the same statement the Pope said that their links to aborted fetal tissue are so remote that it should not be an issue. With this step the Pope is encouraging the Catholic Church to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

In the New York Times Pope Francis Responds to COVID-19

As Americans celebrated Thanksgiving Pope Francis published an op-ed in the New York Times that reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic. The selection was from his upcoming book and poses some challenges and asks some questions that the Pontiff challenges people on. 

More Toxic Behavior From Church Militant. The Rogue Fundamentalist Catholic Group Engages in Racist Behavior Against the Washington, D.C. Archbishop and Also Shows its Autocratic Side on Election Night

The fundamentalist Catholic group Church Militant attacked the Washington, D.C. Archbishop this past summer in calling him an “African queen” and gay. Church Militant’s remarks were blatantly racist. Then on election night this rogue fundamentalist organization sought to undermine American democracy in defending President’s Trump’s false claim that he won even with ballots still being counted.  The Wondering Eagle has some advice for Catholics. Reject this toxic cesspool that is known as Church Militant.

The National Catholic Reporter Reflects on the Election of the Second Catholic President of the United States

Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President of the United States and the second Catholic president. The National Catholic Reporter had a couple of articles offering insight into his faith and what it means to have a Catholic who will be in a leadership position.