Fr. Raymond J. de Souza
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Fr. Raymond J. de Souza
Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

Articles

Five big surprises from Francis’s papacy
Five big surprises from Francis’s papacy

Surprises are frequent with Pope Francis, champion of the world's poor and Germany's wealthy bishops, promoter of both the peripheries and the Secretariat of State.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 14, 2018Catholic Herald, Church Affairs
The Peterson Protests
The Peterson Protests

The freedom to scream and shout and curse and crash is a certain kind of freedom, but it is a freedom without purpose.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 12, 2018Convivium, Culture
Catholic politicians fail to walk the walk
Catholic politicians fail to walk the walk

We need to re-examine our default habit of inviting to Catholic events those who seek to drive Catholics to the margins of our common life. 

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Newman House ManagerMarch 12, 2018Catholic Register, Politics, Canada
Pope Francis’s first revolution – his clothing
Pope Francis’s first revolution – his clothing

Clerical dress – for himself and for others – is not the most important decision Francis has made. But it was the first one.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 10, 2018Church Affairs
Cardinal Wuerl’s ‘Amoris’ Guidelines Bring Clarity, but Confusion Remains
Cardinal Wuerl’s ‘Amoris’ Guidelines Bring Clarity, but Confusion Remains

Confusion will arise because what Cardinal Wuerl teaches — and what the Alberta bishops have taught — is not the same as what has been taught in Germany or Malta or Buenos Aires.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 9, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
Jordan Peterson is right — struggle makes us stronger
Jordan Peterson is right — struggle makes us stronger

The world promises us comfort, but we were not made for comfort. Jordan Peterson echoes poets and popes when he calls his audiences to strive for heroism and nobility of heart.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 8, 2018National Post, Culture
Has Pope Francis boxed himself in over Bishop Barros?
Has Pope Francis boxed himself in over Bishop Barros?

In not accepting the Barros resignation earlier, Pope Francis may have boxed himself into further resignations now.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 3, 2018Catholic Herald, Church Affairs
Jerusalem's mayor picks a fight with Christianity — and loses fast
Jerusalem's mayor picks a fight with Christianity — and loses fast

If the mayor of Jerusalem cannot distinguish the identity and mission of the Mamilla Hotel from a pilgrim guest house, he fails to understand a constitutive part of the history of his own city.

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Newman House ManagerMarch 1, 2018National Post, Politics, Israel
God Must Be Tax Free
God Must Be Tax Free

Tax exemption of the Church is not a matter of enhancing social services or achieving more efficient program delivery.  

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Newman House ManagerMarch 1, 2018Convivium, Israel, Politics
Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes
Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes

The heart of this pontificate is understood more in the footnotes than the main text. They require careful reading.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 26, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
What side will Moscow take in the simmering Israel-Iran war?
What side will Moscow take in the simmering Israel-Iran war?

Russia is now the governing military power in Syria. Can Putin stay aloof as hostilities between the Israelis and Tehran heat up?

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 21, 2018National Post, Politics, Israel
A preferential option for the left
A preferential option for the left

The Holy Father is an undisputed friend of the downtrodden, but it sometimes seems that he is also a friend to those who tread upon them, especially if they are on the left side of the political spectrum.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 15, 2018Church Affairs
Dust, Bones and the Promise of Life
Dust, Bones and the Promise of Life

Ash Wednesday asks us to think about the grave that awaits each of us, but also of that grave that awaited Him. There are no ashes and bones in that grave. It is empty. He is not there, for He is risen.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 14, 2018Convivium, Culture
Why Catholics may not be dining out this Valentine's Day
Why Catholics may not be dining out this Valentine's Day

Sentiment, greeting cards, and flowers pass away to dust, while we yearn for a love which endures, which proves itself in sacrifice, which is stronger even than death.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 13, 2018National Post, Culture
Benedict XVI’s Abdication, Five Years Later
Benedict XVI’s Abdication, Five Years Later

That Benedict XVI's decision to abdicate was taken by a holy man in total sincerity is beyond doubt. That it was God’s will is not clearly demonstrated.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 11, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs, Benedict XVI
In praise of China’s outspoken cardinal
In praise of China’s outspoken cardinal

Cardinal Zen argues that no accord is better than a bad accord. Don’t save what the communists will let you save, he argues. That is an illusion offered by fraudsters.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 11, 2018Catholic Herald, Church Affairs
Zen Is Now
Zen Is Now

Cardinal Zen will not permit the luctus et angor – grief and anxiety – of the Church in China to be forgotten, or diplomatically set aside.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 9, 2018Convivium, Church Affairs
Chile Faux Pas the Latest of Pope Francis’ Interview Missteps
Chile Faux Pas the Latest of Pope Francis’ Interview Missteps

There haven’t been many mistakes in his airborne press interviews, Pope Francis says, but when he has made one, the correction is dramatic.

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Newman House ManagerFebruary 9, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs
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