Acton Institute Archives

Catholic Hong Kong media mogul: ‘Freedom has a price’

Nov 19, 2020

In the words of Jimmy Lai, “freedom has a price.” That’s why the Chinese media mogul and activist is leaning on his Catholic faith for support as he faces potential prison time and continues the fight for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong.

By John Lavenburg

Seminar advocates return to ‘magisterium of John Paul II’ on free market

Nov 7, 2020

Just as Pope Francis is calling for a rethink of the free market economy, some Catholics are emphasizing capitalism is in keeping with Catholic doctrine, and say they are backed by Pope St. John Paul II.

By John Lavenburg

‘Problematic’ or ‘prudential judgment’?: U.S. tax reform debated by Catholics

Dec 21, 2017

U.S. Catholic leaders debate the passage of tax reform, which was passed by congress on Wednesday and labeled by the U.S. bishops as “problematic, especially for the poor.”

By Christopher White

Trump’s UN address reflects tensions of Catholic social teaching

Sep 20, 2017

President Trump received mixed reactions from Catholic leaders for his first address to the General Assembly of the United Nations on Tuesday. The president advocated for a limited refugee resettlement program, hinted at potential military action in Venezuela, and pledged to “totally destroy North Korea.”

By Christopher White

As Nevada embraces pot, priest makes Catholic case for legalization

Jul 5, 2017

As Nevada becomes the latest U.S. state to tolerate marijuana use, Father Robert Sirico of the Acton Institute lays out the standard Catholic cautions about drugs but also asks whether criminalizing their use serves the greater good.

By Claire Giangravè

Pope Francis’s attack on “libertarian individualism” not about libertarians

May 5, 2017

When Pope Francis speaks of libertarian individualism, he describes it as something which he says exalts the selfish ideal, whereby it is only the individual who gives values to things and interpersonal relationships, and where it is only the individual who decides what is good and what is bad. The question that remains is whether the pope is offering a fair or accurate definition of libertarianism.

By Father Robert A. Sirico