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Articles by William Doino Jr.
The Benedict-Francis Alliance
Reality contradicts the popular narrative of opposition between the two pontiffs By William Doino Jr. When Venerable Pius XII’s extraordinary pontificate came to an end in 1958, he was succeeded by St. John XXIII, whose papacy would prove equally consequential, albeit in myriad ways.
Facing the World Squarely: Understanding the “History of Now”
Few pundits have earned the stature of Michael Burleigh, a prominent commentator for the British and international press. His prize-winning works on the Third Reich, religion, terrorism, and warfare have already become classics.
The Smoke of Satan Returns | William Doino Jr.
In 1972, on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Paul VI delivered a sermon that startled the world. Describing the chaos then consuming the post-conciliar Church, he lamented : “From some fissure the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God.” Paul’s words were a warning to all who, taken with the “spirit of Vatican II”—rather than the Council’s actual teachings—had fallen under the sway of dark spirits.
Yad Vashem Honors Cardinal Who Fought for Jewish Lives | William Doino Jr.
The recent news that Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa has been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Israels Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial is a welcome, and a much-deserved, honor. Dalla Costa, the archbishop of Florence during World War II, played a central role in the organization and operation of a widespread rescue network, said Yad Vashem in its November announcement.
Ireland: A Country Without a Conscience? | William Doino Jr.
Ireland’s recent decision to approve same-sex marriage, by popular referendum, has left the country’s Catholic reputation in ruins. Of course, this shift didn’t come about overnight—secularization has been in the works for some time—but the vote reinforces the feeling of a dramatic break with Ireland’s Catholic heritage, and a step into an uncertain future. In reacting to the vote, some have tried to spin the results.
Is America Blessed by God? | William Doino Jr.
In 2008, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly released a survey on how Americans view their country’s relationship to God: “Sixty-one percent agree that America is a nation specially blessed by God,” it revealed, “and 59 percent believe the United States should be a model Christian nation to the world.” These are the kind of results that inspire many Americans—and make others shudder with fear.
Jews, Catholics, and Our Bonds of Unity | William Doino Jr.
The entry of Christ into history is the greatest blessing the world has ever known, but the beauty of that event is never matched by the practice of Christians. Perhaps nowhere is this more painfully apparent than in Christian conduct toward Jews. The Passion narratives were long abused as part of a polemic against ?the Jews,? who were blamed, collectively and of course wrongly, for the death of Christ. The ?deicide?
Francis Canavan: A Jesuit for the Confused and Distressed | William Doino Jr.
Fun is Not Enough: The Complete Catholic Eye Columns by francis canavan, s.j., edited by dawn eden goldstein; introduction by stephen m. fields, s.j.; national committee of catholic laymen; en route books, 382 pages, $14.95 When Francis Canavan died in 2009, the Society of Jesus lost one of its finest men, as did America. Fr. Canavan loved his Church and his country deeply.
Escaping Hitler | William Doino Jr. | First Things
Every spring, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, those who died under Nazi persecution are honored in ceremonies throughout the world; and those who survived it recall what they experienced. Anita Weisbord is among them. When Hitler’s army forcefully annexed Austria to the German Reich in March of 1938, Weisbord’s homeland suddenly became unrecognizable.
Saving Christians from Genocide | William Doino Jr.
Two years after its release, this still photo, taken from an ISIS propaganda video, remains as haunting as ever: a long line of Christian Coptic men in orange jump suits, forced to kneel and await execution simply for being Christian and refusing to renounce their religious beliefs. Even as the blades of the jihadists approached their necks, the martyrs cried out, “Ya Rabbi Yasou!” (“O My Lord Jesus!”).
St. Charles Borromeo: Model Bishop, Holy Reformer | William Doino Jr.
When Pope Francis selected Mario Delpini as the new archbishop of Milan, commentators began discussing whether Delpini was a so-called “Francis bishop .” But it was a misleading debate. The only question that matters is whether Delpini will be a sound archbishop—and better yet, a holy and courageous one.
Anne Frank's Enduring Testament | William Doino Jr.
Seventy-five years ago this month, Anne Frank began a diary, reflecting: “Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I’ve never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year old girl.” Since her diary was published, it has sold over thirty million copies and been translated into almost seventy languages.
John XXIII’s Prophetic Encyclical | William Doino Jr.
When Pope John XXIII is canonized this April, the honor will be long-awaited—and richly deserved. After serving as a model priest and prelate, he became an equally beloved pontiff, convening Vatican II and articulating the timelessness of the Church’s teachings. Among his most important statements is Ad Petri Cathedram (“To the Chair of Peter”), the opening encyclical of his pontificate.
Ratzinger Rising | William Doino Jr.
When Joseph Ratzinger resigned as Pope Benedict XVI, some of his opponents predicted, unkindly, that his abdication would be the only thing remembered about his life and pontificate. It turns out that it is Benedict’s critics who are now being eclipsed, while Joseph Ratzinger’s reputation continues to rise. In 2012, a year before his retirement, the University of Notre Dame had already published a commemorative volume of essays on Ratzinger’s impressive theology and writings.
Five Lessons from Francis de Sales | William Doino Jr.
Given the growing challenges now facing Christians, a valuable source to turn to, for wisdom and strength, is St. Francis de Sales. Pope Benedict XVI called de Sales “a great teacher” whose influence has been “immense”; Blessed Paul VI named him the “Jewel of Savoy,” who helped lay the foundation for Vatican II’s call to universal holiness; and Pope Pius XI wrote an encyclical celebrating his life and work.
Pope Francis’s Achilles Heel | William Doino Jr.
In a recent interview with the German paper Die Zeit, Pope Francis declared, “I am a sinner and am fallible.” This followed a conversation with Spain’s El País, in which Francis had underscored the point: “I am not a saint. I am not making any revolution. I am just trying to push the Gospel forward.
The Pro-Life Imperative | William Doino Jr.
In 1973, after the Supreme Court issued its Roe v. Wade decision, the New York Times expressed confidence that “the Court’s verdict on abortions provides a sound foundation for final and reasonable resolution” to a debate that has “divided America too long.” The Times could not have been more mistaken. Not only did the abortion debate dramatically increase after Roe, it remains as lively as ever—forty-five years on—as witnessed by Friday’s massive and inspiring March for Life.
Nat Hentoff: One of a Kind | William Doino Jr.
Nat Hentoff died recently, at the age of 91, in his own apartment, “surrounded by family [and] listening to Billie Holiday,” as his son Nick movingly wrote. If anyone deserved such a peaceful death, it was Nat Hentoff. In his long and colorful career, he had been everything from a jazz critic to an investigative journalist, a fearless civil libertarian, an education reformer, and a powerful witness to the pro-life cause—as an atheist.
Advent with St. John of the Cross | William Doino Jr.
Of all the saints of Advent, none is more attuned to the season than St. John of the Cross, whose feast we celebrate on December 14. During Advent, Christians reflect upon the birth of their Savior and their personal standing with Him—now, and at the end of time. Advent is the perfect season for drawing lessons from this great saint, whose work centers upon achieving unity with Jesus Christ.
Remembering Castro's Crimes | William Doino Jr.
Last December, when the United States announced that it would be re-establishing diplomatic relations with Communist Cuba after more than fifty years of separation, the news was welcomed by many while leaving others in near despair. Eire escaped the regime when he was eleven, one of the lucky 14,000 children able to get out through Operation Pedro Pan. Some were joined by their parents later, but many were not.
Flannery O’Connor’s Genius and Grace | William Doino Jr.
Before she died at the age of thirty-nine, Flannery O’Connor dismissed the idea of a biography—believing her long illness and quiet life on a Georgia farm wouldn’t interest anyone: “Lives spent between the house and the chicken yard do not make exciting copy.” Fortunately, O’Connor’s self-deprecation hasn’t translated into any lack of interest in her life and work. Quite the opposite.
Pius XII’s Duel with Hitler | William Doino Jr.
When Mark Riebling’s Church of Spies: The Pope’s Secret War against Hitler appeared last year, it earned widespread acclaim. Well written and meticulously researched, Riebling’s book highlights a series of long-forgotten episodes from World War II: Pius XII’s daring efforts to kill Adolf Hitler and end his genocidal regime. Now, thanks to filmmaker Christopher Cassel, Riebling’s book has been turned into an equally gripping docudrama, Pope vs. Hitler.
Mother Teresa and Her Critics | William Doino Jr.
She was called a “messenger of the love of Christ,” awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and beatified by the Holy See. But for most people, she is simply Mother Teresa, one of the most admired women of modern times. Born as Agnes Bojaxhiu in Macedonia in 1910, Blessed Teresa came to public attention relatively late in life, but when she did, her impact was profound.
Healing Memories through Divine Mercy
Of all the issues people don’t like discussing, high on the list is the emotional and spiritual pain caused by a personal loss or trauma.
Father Berrigan Remembered
When Daniel Berrigan died recently at the age of 94, obituaries throughout the world described the legendary Jesuit as a defiant pacifist, who will be remembered most for his political protests, legal trials, and time in prison. But there was also a more contemplative side—one that reveals his profound spirituality, love for the sacraments and Holy Scripture, and focus on eternal life.
Francis Delivers
In the days leading up to Francis’s recent Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laeititia, one would have thought that a seismic shift in Catholic theology was about to take place. The New York Times wrote excitedly, “Liberals . . .
The Catholic Enlightenment: Yesterday and Today | William Doino Jr.
When the eminent historian Peter Gay wrote The Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Paganism in the 1960’s, he summed up its view of Christianity this way: Regrettably, this is still the way many “enlightened” secularists regard Christian denominations—particularly the Catholic Church—but it is a view itself laced with prejudice and superstition.
The Meaning of Christian Mercy | William Doino Jr.
When Pope Francis announced his Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, now underway, he accompanied it with a beautiful papal bull, Misericordiae Vultus, which disappeared almost as soon as it was issued.
Joy in Chastity | William Doino Jr. | First Things
In 2006, Dawn Eden wrote The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On. It was an account of how, as a new Christian convert—having led an exciting but spiritually unfulfilling life as a rock journalist—she learned to be joyfully chaste. Eden’s book stood out.
...and the road ahead for Pope Francis
Since his election to the papacy, Francis - leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics - has become an irresistible force, inside and outside his church. Outgoing, spontaneous and compassionate, Francis is a Pope of many dimensions. On the one hand, he is a loyal son of the church - upholding Catholic teaching and preaching about sin, the devil, temptation and confession.
A Witness, in Life and Letters | William Doino Jr.
Born in Britain in 1923, and educated at Eton and Oxford, Philip Trower is a Catholic writer of notable achievement. This alone merits attentionas there is much talk about the relative dearth of Catholic authors todaybut Trower’s life and work offer something more, as they speak to questions that are currently circulating within the Church.
“La Popessa” Speaks | William Doino Jr.
She was called “La Popessa,” depicted as the iron lady of the Vatican, and said to have wielded more power in Rome than any woman in centuries. She is the subject of numerous books, movies, and even a musicaloften more fiction than fact. But the real story of Mother Pascalina Lehnertthe life-long assistant to Pope Pius XIIis still not widely known. Now, thanks to the English translation of her memoirs, His Humble Servant, she speaks for herself, to a far larger audience.
The Pope’s Theology of Sin | William Doino Jr.
By now, the Popes impromptu press conference , on his flight back from Brazil, has been analyzed the world over. But in all the discussion over Francis comments, very little has been said about the key line in his now famous exchange on homosexuality.
Pope John XXIII: Conserver of Tradition | William Doino Jr.
Blessed John XXIII is one of the most beloved popes in all of history”and quite possibly the most misunderstood. Almost from the moment he was elected pope, Angelo Roncalli”or Good Pope John, as he came to be known”captivated the world. There was something about Roncallis ways”his buoyant personality and self-deprecating humor; his willingness to affirm rather than condemn”that attracted so many to him.
Kevin Madigan’s Offenses Against History | William Doino Jr.
At the end of the Second World War, when the Nuremberg prosecutors were gathering evidence for the upcoming trials, one of the many people they turned to for assistance was Pope Pius XII. They were not disappointed. The Holy See sent on massive documentation, recounting Nazi criminality, and the material given proved to be of great value.
Did Pius XII Lie to Save Jews?
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Building a Culture of Lie
Dear Guillaume (and all other contributors): Thank you for your comments. Our article states very clearly, citing the Catechism, “Catholics and others have a right to remain silent, and protect priviliged information (2488-2492)”, so undercover police work, for example, and/or resistance to a totalitarian state is permitted, provided we maintain that principle. Remaining silent, or legitimately withholding information, is not the same as directly lying.
Tricks Are for Kids
Conservatives have long criticized the lingering effects of the 1960s, and not without reason. The legacy of the “Love Generation” — or, as renamed by some disaffected ex-members, the “Destructive Generation” — is decidedly ambiguous.
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