Articles — Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

The U.A.E.'s low bar for religious tolerance

In the U.A.E., Christians are able to worship but religious liberty does not exist in a fulsome way. The bar is set so low for Muslim countries that the U.A.E. is hailed as a beacon of tolerance.

Newman House ManagerFebruary 7, 2019National Post, Politics

Let’s Really Talk

Father Raymond de Souza bemoans the death of local news, critiques the pornographication of the Super Bowl, and argues for setting down our iPhones to speak face-to-face again.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 31, 2019Convivium, Culture

Trudeau is somehow right on Venezuela

Having youthful illusions shattered by reality is painful, but the prime minister is holding up admirably well. He held his youthful illusions well into middle age, so it is past time to let them go.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 30, 2019National Post, Politics

Dallas Charter Culture and the Covington Controversy

The purpose of the Dallas Charter was not only to enhance the protection and safety of minors, but to effect a culture change when there were allegations, or even suspicions, of sexual abuse.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 29, 2019National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

Hollywood’s Guilt of Many Colours

Such stereotypes would usually set off the finely-tuned antennae of the Hollywood set. So why did Black Panther get not only a pass, but an Oscar nomination? Because it made money, lots of it.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 25, 2019Convivium, Culture

Where sports and the surveillance state collide

Increased technology and oversight are employed, sometimes at great cost and inconvenience, to eliminate even the remote possibility of error.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 24, 2019National Post, Culture

The Case of the ‘Disappearing’ Cardinals

When some observers charge that nothing has changed in how the Church deals with sexual abuse, consider how quickly and smoothly Cardinal Wuerl ceased to be seen in public.

Newman House ManagerJanuary 23, 2019Church Affairs, National Catholic Register

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