The North Star Catholic / OPINION Archives - Page 24 of 29

Pope calls Catholic Charities to be ‘on the streets’

As many of you know, Catholic Social Services is a member of the larger Catholic Charities USA network, which just recently held its annual gathering in Charlotte, N.C. The meeting opened with a video greeting from Pope Francis. Although I was not able to attend, the text of his message emphasize that the mission of all Catholic Charities agencies are directed towards his vision for the church to be the “advocate of justice and defender of the poor in the face of intolerable social and economic inequalities.”

Parish loyalties reveal a deep truth

Unless you have moved often during your lifetime, I bet somewhere, tucked in a box among your ancient personal effects, is a collection of memorabilia that identify you as Catholic. They will probably distinguish you as once registered in a specific Catholic church or school. In this box of treasures you might find certain artifacts that identified the history of your adolescence:

In truth, laws cannot redefine marriage

Making Sense of Bioethics In the current debate over gay marriage, people sometimes ask: Who should define marriage? Democrats or Republicans in Congress? The Supreme Court? Should it be put to a referendum, allowing the majority to choose a definition? We can identify two kinds of “definitions” when it comes to marriage. The first touches…

Grappling with the suicide of a loved one

As I write this, today might be the anniversary of my brother’s death. We’re not sure what day he died. My family — two brothers, a cousin, my mom and I — had traveled to New York City to do a surprise intervention with my brother. He had become dependent on cocaine, and my mother had secured the help of a fairly pricey interventionist who was going to lead us in confronting Bill and getting him into rehab. Alas, we were too late.

LETTER: Sen. Begich puts politics ahead of faith

Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich, a professed Catholic and parishioner of Holy Family Cathedral, has shown, by his actions, that he has little problem subordinating several major, non-negotiable matters of Catholic faith to politics.

EDITORIAL: How the Catholic Church changes

While the synod certainly included energetic debates on how to best reach out to those who have suffered from divorce and those who live with same-sex attraction, in the end there was a resounding affirmation of the church’s long-standing teachings on these important issues. We must not be surprised if the church is unbending in affirming long-standing teachings even as it grapples with new applications. This is the kind of institution Christ established — a living church that moves through the variables of history while always inviting, urging and challenging each new generation to embrace the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ.

U.S. Senate Candidates’ views on key issues

As part of an effort to inform Alaskans about candidates and their positions on issues important to Catholic voters, the Catholic Anchor solicited responses to a questionnaire from the seven candidates running for U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Begich, Republican candidate Dan Sullivan, Libertarian candidate Mark Fish, non-affiliated candidate Ted Gianoutsos, Republican candidate Sean Godfrey, non-affiliated candidate Sidney Hill and Republican candidate John Jaramillo. Only Ted Gianoutsos and Sean Godfrey responded to the questionnaire. Wherever possible, the Catholic Anchor has included the positions of candidates who did not respond to the questionnaire.

AK governor candidates’ views on key social issues

In an effort to inform Alaskans about candidates and their positions on issues important to Catholic voters, the Catholic Anchor solicited responses to a questionnaire from the four candidates running for Alaska Governor: incumbent Republican candidate Gov. Sean Parnell, non-affiliated candidate Bill Walker, Alaska Constitutional Party candidate J.R. Meyers and Libertarian candidate Carolyn Clift. All candidates responded except for Clift, whose positions could not be ascertained from either her website or her public statements on the issues listed below.

Pope makes public his views of family synod

Dear brothers and sisters, now we still have one year to mature, with true spiritual discernment, the proposed ideas and to find concrete solutions to so many difficulties and innumerable challenges that families must confront; to give answers to the many discouragements that surround and suffocate families.

AK bishops warn against legalizing recreational marijuana

The debate in favor of legalization has largely been framed in the language of personal freedom. Our personal freedom exists in the context of the communities to which we belong. As Catholics, we believe we have a responsibility to one another and to the wider community. Personal freedom that is not balanced by sensible regulation for the common good destroys the communities that are the guarantors of our personal freedom.