What can be said about the 'fiscal cliff' deal?

January 4, 2013, 10:21 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Should we congratulate Congress for finally doing its job and avoiding the "fiscal cliff"? Absolutely not. The process has been so ugly, unnecessary and frustrating that it simply continues to demonstrate how dysfunctional our government has become. In fact, I was personally so disturbed by the determination of some during the day Monday to scuttle the deal that I broke my New Year's diet. I needed my comfort food to get through the day.

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Can new gun laws make a difference?

January 9, 2013, 8:23 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

How often we are told that no law could prevent a particular act of gun violence. Nothing could prevent a deranged individual from obtaining a weapon and initiating a massacre such as at Columbine or Sandy Hook. Data included in a Time magazine article from the Jan. 14 edition give a very different picture.

Same-sex marriage decision from National Cathedral spotlights denominational differences

January 11, 2013, 7:21 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

How can two traditions once deemed so similar diverge so completely? The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., has announced it will now be the site of future gay marriages.

Exploring the sinfulness of homosexuality

January 16, 2013, 7:36 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Is homosexuality a sin? David Gibson explores this question in a Religion News Service article.

A few points might be worth considering.

The NRA doesn't seem to get it

January 18, 2013, 10:10 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Those who have been reading this blog for a while have probably figured out that I don't intend to quit pushing for saner gun laws. To me, this is a critical right-to-life issue for which all of us should stand up and demand quick action. My only disappointment is the continued failure of our own Catholic hierarchy to be as outspoken about the right to life for these young children as they are for the unborn.

Remembering Martin Luther King, but not as a conservative

January 22, 2013, 7:26 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

On Monday, we celebrated one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, Martin Luther King Jr. It is perhaps indicative of his greatness that everyone now wants to claim him as their own.

A CNN article focuses on how conservatives want to claim that King was actually a traditionalist and a conservative.

Obama's inaugural address reveals how he wants to move forward

January 23, 2013, 3:22 pm

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Both conservative and liberal pundits are proclaiming President Barack Obama's second inaugural as the most progressive or liberal speech of his career. They say he has finally shown himself to be who he really is. They are also saying he missed a critical opportunity to reach out to Republicans to get things done.

The struggle for new gun laws

January 28, 2013, 9:16 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has introduced new assault weapons legislation in Congress. The president and vice president are both campaigning hard for movement on a variety of gun legislation. Yet we are already being told that such legislation is unlikely to pass. At most, Congress may move only in the area of universal background checks.

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The impetus for immigration reform

January 30, 2013, 11:45 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

There is finally movement on comprehensive immigration legislation. A bipartisan group of senators has produced an agreement of principles that could lead to action. President Barack Obama in a speech in Las Vegas has endorsed these principles and encouraged Congress to act.

How does God play a role in the Ravens' Super Bowl victory?

February 4, 2013, 8:26 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

I'm not sure if it is kosher or not, but I feel compelled to comment on the victory of the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. The fact that there is a religious angle to this particular game provides a bit of an argument for why these comments may be appropriate.

Retiring Hall of Fame line backer Ray Lewis has brought religion into the run-up to the Super Bowl and has been criticized for it in some quarters. Some understand him to be saying that somehow God has been on the side of the Baltimore Ravens. Ray has prayed to God for a victory, and God will answer his prayers.

Forming new Catholic Christian communities

February 5, 2013, 8:25 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

I recently met with a validly ordained married Catholic priest in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area. He shared information about an organization that I think should be better known within the Catholic community: CITI Ministries Inc.

French bishops offer solidarity with gay Catholics

February 7, 2013, 1:25 pm

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

The French bishops have prepared a statement that explores the church's response to the gay and lesbian community concerning civil unions and gay marriage. What a refreshing approach they are taking to such an issue that matters to the world around them.

Pope Benedict XVI deserves congratulations on his resignation

February 13, 2013, 8:46 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Benedict Resigns

During the last years of the John Paul II papacy we watched major deterioration as he clung to life and power. At that time, I wrote more than once of his need to retire or for a process to be initiated to vacate the See of Peter because of his inability to carry out his duties as pope.

The best way to govern from the center

February 18, 2013, 2:36 pm

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

It is a major question as to how the next year or so will go in Congress. Issues involving immigration, gun legislation and the budget cry out for attention. It seems the possibilities are to do nothing or to choose to get something done and work across the aisles to do so. Fareed Zakaria in the current issue of Time seems to have the balance about right.

Will the new pope be open to change?

February 27, 2013, 9:17 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Two contrasting viewpoints from NCR's John Allen and Time magazine suggest that possibilities exist for either a conservative or more progressive successor to Benedict XVI.

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Why does our government now give the majority to the minority?

March 6, 2013, 8:28 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

We had an election in November. The results were that President Barack Obama was re-elected without much difficulty. The Democrats also gained seats in both houses of Congress, increasing their Senate majority.

If I have stated these facts correctly, why is it that those who lost the election now appear to be in charge of governing the country?

Can public opinion sway the moves of the new pope?

March 12, 2013, 11:23 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Conclave 2013

A recent New York Times/CBS News poll has documented some very interesting opinions among American Catholics. I want to share a few of the ones I found most surprising.

A total of 71 percent of American Catholics favor permitting the use of artificial birth control methods. Sixty-nine percent favor married priests, and 69 percent also favor women priests.

The world watches the elevation of Pope Francis

March 18, 2013, 10:11 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

Pope Francis

The world is watching every move Pope Francis makes. All are united in hoping for and praying for a successful new beginning for Francis and the church of Rome. Progressive and conservative Catholics alike are searching for signs of renewal from our new pope. There appears to be common ground on many issues at this time among the most conservative and the most liberal of Catholics.

Congress must show courage when it comes to gun legislation

March 22, 2013, 8:27 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

I don't have much to say about the latest debacle in Congress over gun legislation. I think Ron Fournier has said it all. Fournier also references an article by Mike Lupica in the New York Daily News that focuses on the destructiveness of assault weapons.

Is the Obama charm offensive with Congress working?

March 26, 2013, 9:26 am

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Pat PerrielloNCR Today

President Barack Obama has wined and dined Republicans at the White House and has gone to Capitol Hill to meet with them as well. It seems to have had some positive effect. We are beginning to see some movement in Washington. It is not always the kind of movement we may want to see, but it is called governing. This is important because it has been sadly lacking from the Washington scene for some time now.