Articles — Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

Call Venezuela’s evil by name

Failing to mention the Maduro regime in any discussion of Venezuelan refugees would be like noting impediments to interurban traffic in Cold War Berlin without noting that the East German communists had built the wall.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 21, 2019Politics, Catholic Register

Sexual Abuse and the End of Papal Deference

The Chilean bishops’ visit to Rome demonstrated the newfound willingness of bishops to push back publicly against objectionable actions.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 19, 2019National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

The Holy See now looks diplomatically isolated

Most of Venezuela's neighbours boycotted Maduro's inauguration. So why did the Vatican send a representative?

Newman House ManagerJanuary 17, 2019Catholic Herald, Church Affairs

The One True GOAT

"Greatest of All Time" discussions are partly attractive because usually they cannot be so easily resolved, if resolved at all

Newman House ManagerJanuary 17, 2019Convivium, Culture

Canada's police crack down on peaceful free speech

The Crown appears to consider it an offence to protest restrictions on free speech if, in the past, you protested against abortion. The crime is exercising free speech while pro-life.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 17, 2019National Post, Politics

Takeaways From the Revelations on Father McCloskey

While important details of the story are still emerging, there are a number of points that this high-profile priest’s case underscores.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 11, 2019Catholic Register, Church Affairs

Of First and Lasting Things

All disciples of Jesus know that our convivium below is meant to be a foretaste of that great convivium of all the blessed in heaven. It was just that Fr. Richard was not shy about saying it. He delighted in saying it.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 10, 2019Convivium, Culture

The Church must stop promoting people just to get them out of the way

Zanchetta’s case shows another aspect of the clerical culture – “clericalism”, if you will – that is urgently in need of reform. Promoveatur ut amoveatur . Bishops get dumped in convenient places to save face, to look after allies, to exile opponents, to soothe hurt feelings.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 10, 2019Catholic Herald, Church Affairs

Is Unity Among Bishops the Most Important Good?

Unity among bishops is vital. But is it the most important good? That was certainly on the minds of the American prelates in Chicago this past week. How they answer that question will be evident in the months ahead.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 7, 2019National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

Friendly Fire

In Rome one hears about “enemies” of the pope, but it is the “friends” which make life more difficult for the Holy Father, who deserves better.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 7, 2019First Things, Church Affairs

Communications Centralization and Leaks at the Vatican

The leaked letters of Cardinal Ouellet to Cardinal DiNardo suggest that a new era in Vatican media may be dawning, and it’s significant.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 4, 2019National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

The Church has to ditch the culture that sees no evil

This is not about Cardinal Ouellet, let alone Pope Francis or Benedict XVI. It is about a culture that sees no evil, hears no evil and speaks no evil.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 3, 2019Catholic Herald, Church Affairs

The morals, and money, of major junior sport

The U.S. collegiate system encourages athletes to stay in school. In Canada, that remains true for football, but not for hockey

Newman House ManagerJanuary 3, 2019National Post, Culture

Scandal, Loss of Confidence Contribute to a Heavy Spirit as 2018 Ends

The Catholic Church ends 2018 with a heavy spirit. It is not the series of scandals alone, but the loss of confidence in the traditional solution in times of crisis, namely recourse to Rome, as adequate to the task.

Newman House ManagerDecember 31, 2018National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

2018 was the year we learned Canada can't really build anything

Pipelines? Subways? 24 Sussex? Construction projects across the country have been fiascos

Newman House ManagerDecember 27, 2018National Post, Politics

In a noisy world, the true power is in a Silent Night

Peace, whether the absence of conflict or true 'heavenly peace,' is the desire of every human heart

Newman House ManagerDecember 21, 2018National Post, Culture

The CDF has been marginalised. Will Archbishop Scicluna’s appointment reverse that?

The CDF is an essential organisation in the fight against sexual abuse, but it has had its wings clipped in recent years

Newman House ManagerDecember 20, 2018Church Affairs, Catholic Herald

Advent's Moment of Meaning

We sometimes think of prophecy as predicting the future, a look ahead in chronos but it is more accurate to think of prophecy as kairos, revealing the deeper meaning of events.

Newman House ManagerDecember 20, 2018Convivium, Faith