Addiction doesn’t have to be the final word August 21, 2026By Timothy A. McCarthy Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary My work taught me that recovery often begins only when accountability and hope exist together. Sometimes treatment was enough. Sometimes the prospect of jail provides the wake-up call that makes a person willing to enter treatment. In either case, the crucial step was a willingness to change.
Stories that tell the U.S. Catholic story August 21, 2026By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Commentary, Feature, The Catholic Difference Fiction can often convey the human texture of a time and place better than scholarly works of history. Herewith, and in honor of the national semiquincentennial, some novels that help tell the Catholic story in these United States through a fictional lens.
A blessing on the road August 19, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window I was surprised. I’ve never had a car pause there so I could enter that stretch of road before. Everyone is always in a hurry.
The abnormal abortion August 19, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Respect Life At the end of every March for Life I see them: Dozens of women in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington holding up signs that read, “I Regret My Abortion.” They share their stories each year with tens of thousands of pro-life marchers — and writers like me. They talk about the pain abortion inflicts on women. They give faces and names to an issue.
The day O.J. Brigance testified that every life has value August 18, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Respect Life, Sports, The Narthex Brigance, who died Aug. 17 at age 56, was largely incapacitated by ALS and unable to speak without the aid of a computerized voice. Addressing lawmakers considering the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, he spoke passionately about the value of life.
Question Corner: What is the Catholic Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? August 17, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Could you clarify the Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? Some seem to think that these days it’s “no different than belonging to Rotary” or any other service club. The local church has parishioners that belong to the local Masonic lodge.
Addressing the ‘valleys of despair’ caused by the growing sports betting industry August 13, 2026By Charles C. Camosy OSV News Filed Under: Commentary The sports betting industry has seen explosive growth in revenue in the past six years, but how is it affecting society? Ray Kim, director of U.S. Programs & Partnerships at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, recently spoke with OSV News’ Charles Camosy about what Catholics should know about the growing addiction issues that have taken hold for many.
Ryan, meet Ryan: A glimpse into record-breaking Ryan Meet-ups August 11, 2026By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window The idea that people named Ryan would gather together simply to celebrate sharing a name really struck me.
Question Corner: What is predestination? August 10, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Guest Commentary Q: Could you please tell me what exactly predestination is? Also, is this a dogma of the Catholic Church or is it heresy?
The abstraction of ‘brokenness’ August 10, 2026By Leonard J. DeLorenzo OSV News Filed Under: Commentary We are wounded, yes, and also made in the image of God, also redeemed, also capable of glory, and we are bodies in time and in particular trouble, which is precisely the creature God came to save. He did not take on brokenness in general. He took on flesh, and was hungry, and wept, and bled from named wounds in his hands and his side.
The work ethic incarnate August 7, 2026By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Sports, The Catholic Difference From his current station in the Communion of Saints, I hope Raymond Berry is interceding for all those men without work – men who are being denied, or who are denying themselves, the chance to become more, to be more, through honest labor.
Do I need a new civil marriage license for my convalidation ceremony? August 4, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner How does this work if the Church considers Catholic weddings to be valid even without a civil marriage ceremony?
