Ask Father Tom: Where can we find true joy?

“Authentic joy is spiritual, literally a divine gift from the Holy Spirit. If we lose our sense of the sacredness of life, the goodness of creation, the dignity of others made in God’s image, we also lose our connection with God and sever our link to spiritual joy.”

Pope declares St. Irenaeus a doctor of the Church

In a decree released by the Vatican Jan. 21, the pope ordered that the second-century theologian be given the title of “doctor of unity” and said St. Irenaeus’ life and teachings served as “a spiritual and theological bridge between Eastern and Western Christians.”

Jan. 26 set as day of prayer for peace in Ukraine

“I am following with concern the rising tensions that threaten to strike a new blow at peace in Ukraine and put into question the security of the European continent, with even wider repercussions,” the pope said Jan. 23.

Jesuit journal echoes church teaching on ‘imperfect laws’

With the Italian parliament expected to vote soon on a proposed law on medically assisted suicide, a Jesuit physician and moral theologian has called on lawmakers to stop postponing action and to restrict the practice as much as possible by refining and passing an “imperfect law” that is on the table.