Commentary Archives

Catholic wisdom isn’t about a date on a baptismal certificate
- Commentary
- August 19, 2017
David Mills recently suggested that converts to Catholicism should “stop talking so much.” Does he really mean that to apply to figures such as Augustine, Newman, Whittaker Chambers, Malcolm Muggeridge, Walker Percy and Elizabeth Fox-Genvese? The bottom line is that Catholic wisdom doesn’t correlate with the date on one’s baptismal certificate.
READ MORE
Why we all need a Summer in the Forest
- Commentary
- August 18, 2017
L’Arche has revolutionized care for a whole category of human beings, doing for the disabled what the hospice movement – another Christian revolution – has done for the terminally ill. ‘Summer in the Forest’ is a slow-burning, at times tear-inducing, but always joyful documentary that takes us into the heart of L’Arche through the lives of some of the early residents with whom Jean Vanier first built the community, as well as others who came later.
READ MORE
Nostalgia for a “golden age” hurts the Church, both on left and right
- Commentary
- August 17, 2017
There is a tendency for conservative Catholics to long for a pre-Conciliar Church of the Latin Mass and old devotions. Liberals often dream of a return to the Church of the ’70s with its “anything goes” attitude. While such nostalgia on both sides is understandable, it is also lamentable.
READ MORE

Newcomers to the Church should speak less, listen more

August 17, 2017

David Mills, who entered the Church over 15 years ago, says a convert may know many of the Catholic details. He may be full of book-learning. But of the real Catholic mind or imagination — the Catholic paradigm, the way Catholics see the world — he knows little. The new Catholic must work for many years to get that, and never will get it fully.

Being an American Christian after Charlottesville

For those of us who exist in the realms of privilege because of our race, gender, material wealth, or education, the only Christian response to Charlottesville and Ferguson is solidarity with our brothers and sisters who suffer, even to the point of putting our very selves physically on the front lines in the spirit of the one whom we follow.

Editor’s note: Crux announces a new “Prime Directive”

Commentary

August 14, 2017

Up to this point, Crux has never had formal editorial policies, because we’re a small enough operation I didn’t think we needed them. As of today, however, I’m implementing Policy #1. For “Star Trek” fans, you might think of this as our new “Prime Directive”: Yes to vigorous discussion, no to personal attacks.