@jimbretzke.bsky.social
STD in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Long-time professor in institutions in Asia, Europe and the USA. Author of 7 books and scores of articles. Ordained a Jesuit priest in 1981.
Bishop Cantú "hoped for something stronger," but said the group’s hesitancy to call out Trump may be because “a lot of Catholics voted for him—and a lot of Catholics who have been supportive of many of our dioceses.”https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/bishops-statement-immigration-falls-short
November 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Bishop Cantú "hoped for something stronger," but said the group’s hesitancy to call out Trump may be because “a lot of Catholics voted for him—and a lot of Catholics who have been supportive of many of our dioceses.”https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/bishops-statement-immigration-falls-short
Trump administration prepares to fire worker for TV interview about SNAP
November 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Trump administration prepares to fire worker for TV interview about SNAP
Liberals and conservatives shy away from this core Catholic teaching
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Liberals and conservatives shy away from this core Catholic teaching
Napa Institute has been engaged in a systematic effort to dilute & distort Catholic teaching about the economy & has utterly ignored the moral failures of President Donald Trump's politics[&] subservient to the ethos of the dominant culture.https://www.ncronline.org/node/316611 via @NCRonline
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Napa Institute has been engaged in a systematic effort to dilute & distort Catholic teaching about the economy & has utterly ignored the moral failures of President Donald Trump's politics[&] subservient to the ethos of the dominant culture.https://www.ncronline.org/node/316611 via @NCRonline
Documentary on Pope Leo: Leo from Chicago: youtu.be/nYzssRwE7Gg?...
“Leo from Chicago” – Documentary
YouTube video by Vatican News - English
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Documentary on Pope Leo: Leo from Chicago: youtu.be/nYzssRwE7Gg?...
Reposted
AOC: "It is unconscionable that what we are debating right now is legislation that will give 8 senators over $1 million a piece & we're robbing people of their food assistance & healthcare to pay for it. How can we vote to enrich ourselves by stealing from the American people?"
November 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
AOC: "It is unconscionable that what we are debating right now is legislation that will give 8 senators over $1 million a piece & we're robbing people of their food assistance & healthcare to pay for it. How can we vote to enrich ourselves by stealing from the American people?"
Excellent article by Massimo Faggioli on the political theology of the fringe of Catholic conservatism www.commonwealmagazine.org/catholic-tra...
Catholic Traditionalism After Francis
Traditionalism today is less about questioning Vatican II theology and liturgy and more about waging broader culture wars.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Excellent article by Massimo Faggioli on the political theology of the fringe of Catholic conservatism www.commonwealmagazine.org/catholic-tra...
USCCB president Coakley on Viganò: "I was simply trying to protect the reputation of a man who I knew to be a churchman who had served the conference of Catholic bishops here in the United States admirably & faithfully." www.americamagazine.org/interviews/2...
New USCCB president Coakley talks immigration, Viganò criticism and Pope Leo
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City was elected as the next president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
www.americamagazine.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:05 AM
USCCB president Coakley on Viganò: "I was simply trying to protect the reputation of a man who I knew to be a churchman who had served the conference of Catholic bishops here in the United States admirably & faithfully." www.americamagazine.org/interviews/2...
USCCB President Coakley has not retracted his statement where he expressed his "deepest respect" for Viganò's "personal integrity." In that statement, Coakley also called for an investigation and a "purification" of the church. www.ncronline.org/node/316386 via @NCRonline
Bishops elect new president, stress need to support immigrants in first day of meeting
The U.S. Catholic bishops on Nov. 11 elected Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley as the new president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during the conference's annual fall plenary assembly.
www.ncronline.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
USCCB President Coakley has not retracted his statement where he expressed his "deepest respect" for Viganò's "personal integrity." In that statement, Coakley also called for an investigation and a "purification" of the church. www.ncronline.org/node/316386 via @NCRonline
I hope that MS Winters is "wrong" about the new USCCB President, but fear he is largely on target. Prayers nevertheless for His Grace. The depressing result of the US bishops' conference presidential election ncronline.org/node/316451 via
@NCRonline
@NCRonline
The depressing result of the US bishops' conference presidential election
The vote for a new president of the U.S. bishops' conference was close. Close and deeply disappointing. In choosing Archbishop Paul Coakley, the bishops had to overlook the disrespect he demonstrated ...
ncronline.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I hope that MS Winters is "wrong" about the new USCCB President, but fear he is largely on target. Prayers nevertheless for His Grace. The depressing result of the US bishops' conference presidential election ncronline.org/node/316451 via
@NCRonline
@NCRonline
In a culture that values productivity & autonomy above all, caring tenderly for those who can neither produce nor live independently [dementia] proclaims that human worth transcends utility. Every act of caregiving becomes a sermon on human dignity." www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2...
The theology of forgetting: How dementia deepens our understanding of human dignity
As aging populations bring increased dementia diagnoses, the church must lead in developing both theological understanding and practical responses.
www.americamagazine.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
In a culture that values productivity & autonomy above all, caring tenderly for those who can neither produce nor live independently [dementia] proclaims that human worth transcends utility. Every act of caregiving becomes a sermon on human dignity." www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2...
I would think this qualifies as a "pro-life" issue, even if not a "pre-eminent" concern in the eyes of some of our ecclesial leadership. More immigrants are dying in ICE detention www.americamagazine.org/weekly-dispa...
More immigrants are dying in ICE detention
An effort to dehumanize immigrant people has contributed to federal indifference as the death toll among ICE detainees spikes this year.
www.americamagazine.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I would think this qualifies as a "pro-life" issue, even if not a "pre-eminent" concern in the eyes of some of our ecclesial leadership. More immigrants are dying in ICE detention www.americamagazine.org/weekly-dispa...
"Prospective Justice Department employees are asked to detail a Trump executive order or policy that is significant to them & how they would advance that initiative. The question is also asked of people applying to other executive branch agencies." wapo.st/3JG4ImA
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit — and few are replaced
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.
wapo.st
November 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"Prospective Justice Department employees are asked to detail a Trump executive order or policy that is significant to them & how they would advance that initiative. The question is also asked of people applying to other executive branch agencies." wapo.st/3JG4ImA
Pace @BishopBarron, Pope Leo says: "We must find ways of continuing to more inclusive kinds of experiences, inclusion of people, men, women, laity, clergy, religious, etc. help all to take part & feel deep co-responsible sense of belonging" www.ncronline.org/node/315516 via @NCRonline
Will the bishops follow Pope Leo's lead? Or not?
The U.S. bishops begin their plenary meeting today. This year, a large cloud hangs over the meeting, writes Michael Sean Winters. Yet there is also a rainbow, and the bishops face crucial decisions.
www.ncronline.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Pace @BishopBarron, Pope Leo says: "We must find ways of continuing to more inclusive kinds of experiences, inclusion of people, men, women, laity, clergy, religious, etc. help all to take part & feel deep co-responsible sense of belonging" www.ncronline.org/node/315516 via @NCRonline
I imagine many would call this "woke" and "unrighteous" if a Church leader were to say "if one repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him." (Cf. Luke 17:3-4 to find the speaker)
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him." (Cf. Luke 17:3-4 to find the speaker)
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I imagine many would call this "woke" and "unrighteous" if a Church leader were to say "if one repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him." (Cf. Luke 17:3-4 to find the speaker)
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him." (Cf. Luke 17:3-4 to find the speaker)
Meme of the day for me!
November 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Meme of the day for me!
No doubt this will be very helpful in giving a fuller treatment of the man who would become Pope. Book reveals unknown sides of late Pope Francis cruxnow.com/church-in-th...
Book reveals unknown sides of late Pope Francis
The book tells the story of the unusual relationship between a high-ranking member of the clergy and a left-wing activist
cruxnow.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
No doubt this will be very helpful in giving a fuller treatment of the man who would become Pope. Book reveals unknown sides of late Pope Francis cruxnow.com/church-in-th...
Happy 80th Birthday (Rome time) to former Cardinal Elector Vincent Nichols. The number of Cardinal Electors now is at 126. For more details see my docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Cardinal Electors Turning 80.docx
Cardinal Electors at the Upcoming Conclave Compiled by James Bretzke, S.J., Professor of Theology, John Carroll University (If errors or changes are discovered please e-mail me at jbretzke@jcu.edu) UR...
docs.google.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Happy 80th Birthday (Rome time) to former Cardinal Elector Vincent Nichols. The number of Cardinal Electors now is at 126. For more details see my docs.google.com/document/d/1...
MAGA Make Arabic [numerals] Great Again!
November 7, 2025 at 3:03 PM
MAGA Make Arabic [numerals] Great Again!
How the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Revenge Prosecutions www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
Opinion | How the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Revenge Prosecutions
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
How the Supreme Court Paved the Way for Revenge Prosecutions www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
"Sound as a dollar!"
November 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"Sound as a dollar!"
Well-done article: There is a battle raging across America (and soon in the halls of the Supreme Court) over what it means to be an American and what our nation should aspire to be.There’s Still a Shared American Story, and JD Vance’s Blood-and-Soil Vision Isn’t It www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Opinion | There’s Still a Shared American Story, and JD Vance’s Blood-and-Soil Vision Isn’t It
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Well-done article: There is a battle raging across America (and soon in the halls of the Supreme Court) over what it means to be an American and what our nation should aspire to be.There’s Still a Shared American Story, and JD Vance’s Blood-and-Soil Vision Isn’t It www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Reposted
After repeatedly requesting permission and following all the official guidelines, Catholic bishop, priests, sisters and lay people were refused permission to distribute Communion to migrants in ICE detention center, on All Saints Day. A religious freedom issue: www.ncronline.org/news/ice-aga...
ICE again prevents Chicago Catholics from bringing Eucharist to immigrant detainees
More than 2,000 faithful gathered to pray outside the Broadview ICE Detention Center Nov. 1, but the group's main request — to bring Communion to detainees — was rejected by federal immigration offici...
www.ncronline.org
November 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
After repeatedly requesting permission and following all the official guidelines, Catholic bishop, priests, sisters and lay people were refused permission to distribute Communion to migrants in ICE detention center, on All Saints Day. A religious freedom issue: www.ncronline.org/news/ice-aga...
Faith communities navigate political division in 2025: How religious leaders respond (quoted here)
November 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Faith communities navigate political division in 2025: How religious leaders respond (quoted here)
Miroslav Volf on the current polarization challenge: Erika Kirk’s words spotlight forgiveness in a divided nation: "You have to wonder about these two very different responses. How do we find space for grace when we are so at odds that we cannot recognize humanity on the other side of the divide?”
October 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Miroslav Volf on the current polarization challenge: Erika Kirk’s words spotlight forgiveness in a divided nation: "You have to wonder about these two very different responses. How do we find space for grace when we are so at odds that we cannot recognize humanity on the other side of the divide?”