Today is both Memorial Day and the Feast of the Visitation. I write this both as a veteran who has lost friends in training and in combat, and as a seminarian who struggles to reconcile both my own past and our nation's present with the Gospel teachings of the Prince of Peace. The coincidence of … Continue reading The congruent messages of Memorial Day and the Visitation of Mary
The Equality Act: A time for Christian courage
As the Senate considers The Equality Act, there is no shortage of conservative politicians, theologians and commentators asserting all hell will break loose if LGBTQ people — particularly trans people — are granted the same rights and protections as other Americans. The latest in this round of indefensible fearmongering comes from Ryan T. Anderson, president … Continue reading The Equality Act: A time for Christian courage
Ignorance, fear and hatred are never the basis of good legislation
We’re back in Legislative season here in Oklahoma, which means it’s time — like clockwork — for this year’s predictable bout of discriminatory bills targeting LGBTQ Oklahomans. You can’t count on state government for much, but you can count on this — if the Oklahoma Legislature is in session, some legislator will try to boost … Continue reading Ignorance, fear and hatred are never the basis of good legislation
We need reconciliation — but that requires honesty, courage and penitence
There are two columns I wanted to write after last week's attempted coup. In the wake of all the idiocy, treason and cowardice displayed Wednesday, and in the four years leading up to Wednesday, I wanted to write a column that captures my anger. I wanted to bottle up and pour out in ink my … Continue reading We need reconciliation — but that requires honesty, courage and penitence
Be present. Be compassionate. Be the presence of life.
Do you have an episode, or experience, in your life you seldom, or never, share in public? For reasons I can't quite nail down yet, I felt compelled recently to share one such episode from my life. And, lo and behold, the world did not implode. It kept spinning, and I kept going, and very … Continue reading Be present. Be compassionate. Be the presence of life.
It’s time for Republicans to relearn a fundamental truth
The last couple weeks of election fracas have recalled to mind a prayer, from the evening of Nov. 4, 1992, less than 24 hours after William Jefferson Clinton defeated George H. W. Bush. Jon O’Brien, then headmaster at St. Andrew’s School, stood before the students in the dining hall, preparing to say grace before our … Continue reading It’s time for Republicans to relearn a fundamental truth
To achieve equality, we must step forward — not just to the side
The conflict over basic questions of equality and human rights was stoked a bit hotter last week with Pope Francis’ seemingly radical statement that LGBTQ people have a right to be in a family. Pope Francis’ statement came out in the documentary “Francesco,” released on Wednesday. “Homosexual people have a right to be in a … Continue reading To achieve equality, we must step forward — not just to the side
I am pro-choice because I am pro-life
In a contentious election season, and in the middle of Supreme Court nomination hearings, it was almost inevitable my daughter would ask me that dreaded question: “Dad, what are your views on abortion?” I wanted to give her a clean and easy answer. But there is none. For her, and for you, this is the … Continue reading I am pro-choice because I am pro-life
A week of death, injustice and unreasonable hope
Do you sometimes feel there’s little hope on the other side of 2020? This week was certainly a week to feel that way. Our nation this week surpassed 200,000 deaths due to COVID-19. According to a study by Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is now sixth out of 195 nations for those most-affected by the … Continue reading A week of death, injustice and unreasonable hope
On Patriot Day, let us embrace true patriotism
Nineteen years ago this morning, our country, our society and our view of the world were, perhaps irreparably, altered. On that September morning, I was in the Combat Information Center (CIC) of the guided missile destroyer USS Porter, pierside in Norfolk, Va. We had just started a simulated combat scenario when the captain came over … Continue reading On Patriot Day, let us embrace true patriotism
James R. Neal 