Articles — Fr. Raymond J. de Souza

Why I Wish Jonathan Morris Had Remained a Priest

There are burdens, often undeserved, that accompany every path in life. The priesthood is no exception, and the burdens of our life are not without blessings.

Newman House ManagerJune 20, 2019Faith, National Catholic Register

Diversity, Moral Superiority, Tattoos: Welcome to Jurassic Park

It’s a phenomenon, the Jurassic Park assemblies. People gather because it is better to do something together, even if that is watching the big screen. There is something convivial about watching together, not at home but with others in the public square.

Newman House ManagerJune 13, 2019Convivium, Culture, Toronto Raptors

The extraordinary prayer that launched D-Day

D-Day was understood across the Allied leadership as more a providential moment than a historic one. Or perhaps better to say that it was one of those moments in which the designs of Providence are more easily traced in history.

Newman House ManagerJune 13, 2019Culture, Catholic Herald

What grovelling offer should Canada make to China?

What does Mulroney imagine Chrétien and Desmarais can offer in trade for the release of the Canadian citizens imprisoned by Beijing?

Newman House ManagerJune 12, 2019Politics, National Post

Anomalies Abound in Cardinal Pell’s Abuse Trials

According to prosecutors, the very implausibility of the cardinal’s alleged crimes is an indication of their truth.

Newman House ManagerJune 11, 2019Church Affairs, National Catholic Register

The MMIWG's stance is certainly bold. It won't work

The MMIWG;s view that Canada is an immoral conspiracy driven by genocidal hatred simply does not comport with Canada’s record, or how most Canadians understand our country.

Newman House ManagerJune 7, 2019Politics, National Post

Papal interviews have become almost entirely secular

Benedict XVI was uniquely suited to off-the-cuff interviews. But others should not follow his example

Newman House ManagerJune 6, 2019Church Affairs, Catholic Herald

The Beginning of the End: Lessons on the Fortieth Anniversary of St. John Paul II’s First Visit to Poland

Forty years ago in Poland St. John Paul II strengthened the courage of his people. He told them that they no longer had to go along with what the party demanded. They could be free, and did not need the permission of the state to live as a free people.

Newman House ManagerJune 6, 2019Culture, Convivium, Poland, St. John Paul II

Biblical sense of time lost on Church calendar

Liturgical time is what frees us from the prison of mere chronological time, of being trapped in history which is just one damned thing after another. We need to live God’s time, which is one holy thing after another.

Newman House ManagerJune 5, 2019Faith, Catholic Register

The defeat of evil empires can take different forms

Tiananmen Square remains a bloodstain on the heroic year 1989, a year of hope and freedom

Newman House ManagerMay 31, 2019Culture, National Post

John Paul II and the Cold War’s decisive moment

There could be no justice in Europe without a free Poland on the map, and there could be no just accounting of Poland’s identity and mission without including its faith in God.

Newman House ManagerMay 30, 2019Faith, Catholic Herald, Poland, St. John Paul II

Figueiredo Report the First of Many to Come?

Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo’s release of information on Theodore McCarrick suggests what a new era of whistleblowing might look like in the Church.

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

Archbishop Sheen Dispute: An ‘Either/Or’ or ‘Both/And’ Issue?

If Fulton Sheen had known that being buried in Peoria rather than New York would be advantageous for his own beatification, what would he have decided?

Newman House ManagerMay 28, 2019National Catholic Register, Church Affairs

Father Hesburgh’s flawed legacy

No Catholic cleric in the 1970s could have more powerfully made the argument that the pro-life movement was the proper successor to the civil rights movement for progressives and liberals.

Newman House ManagerMay 23, 2019Catholic Herald, Culture

Crossed Standard

Measurements need to be based on constant standards. In a world of changing standards, how do we measure the good life?

Newman House ManagerMay 23, 2019Culture, Convivium

The U.S. has big problems, but Canada's justice system deserves criticism, too

We pay attention when the accused is a senator or head of the navy; what happens when it happens to the poor and vulnerable and unknown?

Newman House ManagerMay 22, 2019National Post, Politics

Father Hesburgh Was the Father of Notre Dame’s Honoring of Obama

Under Father Hesburgh, and continued by his successors, Notre Dame was clearly pro-life but chose not to use its prestige to that end in the public square.

Newman House ManagerMay 17, 2019National Catholic Register, Culture

By Virtue of Being Tiger

Stories out of the Masters 2019 were rife with anecdotes about the chastened, perhaps converted man. It was not just a comeback to winning, but a comeback to decent conduct.

Newman House ManagerMay 16, 2019Culture, Convivium