Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 63

On John Boehner’s Tears and Mine

For me here is the best moment of the Pope’s visit so far. The man has given a speech to thousands at the White House. The next day he gives a historic speech to both houses of Congress with the Supreme Court Justices in the front row. Then he comes out on the balcony of [Read More...]

Ten Encouraging Things to Remember About the Pope

Somebody has said there are an equal number of people who are delighted by what the pope has said and an equal number who are distressed by what he didn’t say. Here are ten things to remember about a papal visit which should help put things in perspective. 1. In Congress, at the White House and [Read More...]

Pope’s Actions Speak Louder Than Words

This article in National Catholic Register confirms that the Pope’s unscheduled visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor was a visual and symbolic shout out to emphasize his point on the White House lawn about religious freedom. Matt Archbold comments on the controversy here. Pope Francis paid a short visit to the Little Sisters [Read More...]

Poverty and the Pope

My article for Aleteia today analyzes the Catholic understanding of poverty. Pope Francis speaks so much about poverty and wealth that you might assume that the Catholic Church thinks wealth is intrinsically evil and poverty intrinsically good. This is to misunderstand what is a subtle and profound understanding of the relationship between the spiritual and [Read More...]

Nitpicking the Pope

Reading through the commentary in the press and on social media it amazes me how snarky and nitpicking people are about Pope Francis’ visit. I think it was pretty much universally appreciated that he skipped lunch with Pelosi, Biden, Boehner and the other nitwits on Capitol Hill in favor of visiting with the homeless, but [Read More...]

A Papal Quibble

I admit. I’m somewhat confused. I’m generally enthusiastic about Pope Francis, but I do wonder why does he keep going on and on to his bishops and clergy about the need to be kind and gentle and merciful? In Cuba he told the priests not to be harsh and judgmental in the confessional. To the [Read More...]

Links to White House Ceremony Welcoming Pope Francis

A beautiful September morning for Pope Francis to visit Washington. Kudos to Pope Francis for speaking in English at the White House You can read his speech here. It’s good, but I wish he had woven in a mention of defending the unborn and the persecuted Christians around the world when speaking about our responsibility [Read More...]

From Pope Francis: Five Zingers for Left and Right Wingers

With Pope Francis coming to America I can’t believe how polarized Conservatives and Liberals are. Why can’t people be smart enough to realize that both sides want the best and affirm some things that are good and true, and both sides have blind spots where they think they’re right, but they’re actually off beam. The [Read More...]

Women’s Ordination Conference in Philly Ends

Deacon Kandra features a video of the closing liturgy of the women’s ordination conference that just concluded in Philadelphia. Go here if you would like a glimpse of their liturgical style. I should warn those who are enthusiastic about the extraordinary form of the Mass that they will probably be disappointed. While Acts of the Apostasy [Read More...]

What Would A Truly Catholic Political Party Look Like?

If you’re like me you look at the Republicans and the Democrats and wish they both would go away. They seem to quarrel with one another constantly and yet their actual behaviors are much the same: corrupt, venal, lying, self serving, ambitious and doing everything they can to support the big boys who back them. [Read More...]