Another Installment of Christian Democracy Radio–With Julia Smucker, Who Is Smarter Than You

Last updated on: July 4, 2018 at 12:40 am By Jack Quirk

https://www.spreaker.com/user/wcatradio/wcat-radio-christian-democracy-070318?utm_medium=widget&utm_source=user%3A10471680&utm_term=episode_title The icon of St. Joseph the Worker is by Daniel Nichols. Listen to Christian Democracy on live internet radio on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time at WCAT Radio here, or listen to the podcast here on the Christian Democracy Patheos blog. Please go like Christian Democracy on Facebook here. Join the discussion on Catholic social teaching here. Read more

After Roe v. Wade Is Overturned

Last updated on: June 30, 2018 at 1:08 pm By Jack Quirk

With Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring at the end of July [1], and with President Trump making the appointment to replace him, with a Republican Senate prepared to back his choice, it seems, to some, all but certain that there will at last be a majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Your humble servant is not so certain this is so, but there is a distinct possibility that Roe will soon lose its status as the law of... Read more

The U.S. Is Not a Catholic Country

Last updated on: June 29, 2018 at 1:02 pm By Jack Quirk

Applying ourselves to the study of Catholic social doctrine, it is not long before we discover that the “Magisterium recognizes the fundamental role played by labour unions, whose existence is connected with the right to form associations or unions to defend the vital interests of workers employed in the various professions.” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (CSDC), §305) [1] We are reminded that unions “’grew up from the struggle of the workers — workers in general but... Read more

The Second Broadcast of Christian Democracy’s Radio Version

Last updated on: June 28, 2018 at 3:02 am By Jack Quirk

Wherein I interview Rebecca Bratten Weiss of Patheos Catholic’s Suspended in Her Jar about the New Pro-Life Movement, which she co-founded with Matthew Tyson: https://www.spreaker.com/user/wcatradio/wcat-radio-christian-democracy-062618 Read more

What Now?

Last updated on: June 23, 2018 at 11:19 am By Jack Quirk

President Trump has ordered reversal of the policy that resulted in the separation of children from their parents at the Southern border. The task remains of getting all of the children reunited with their mothers and fathers, but the temptation now will be to put this unpleasantness behind us. That is a temptation we should avoid. From the civic standpoint, it is clear that the U.S. is going to have to get to work on developing immigration legislation that serves... Read more

We’re Responsible for What We’re Happy About

Last updated on: June 20, 2018 at 7:16 pm By Jack Quirk

As NBC News reports, “President Donald Trump, under mounting political pressure from angry members of his own party, signed an executive order Wednesday reversing his administration’s policy of separating children from their parents at the border and allowing families to instead be detained together.” [1] He “said the order ‘will solve that problem’ of children being separated from their parents, but that it wouldn’t end his administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy of charging everyone who attempts to cross the U.S.-Mexico border... Read more

Christian Democracy: Radio Version, First Installment.

Last updated on: June 20, 2018 at 1:01 am By Jack Quirk

For your listening enjoyment, the inaugural Christian Democracy internet broadcast, with guest Mark Shea: http://www.wcatradio.com/christiandemocracy.html Read more

Yes, Healthcare Is a Right

Last updated on: June 16, 2018 at 10:54 am By Jack Quirk

They’re still at it. Another court challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is taking place in the Northern District Court of Texas in a suit brought by Texas and nine other states. [1] To understand the basis of the challenge, we must call to mind the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the “individual mandate” portion of the ACA in 2012. In that case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius [2], the Court held that, while Congress has no... Read more

Free Speech Cake Baking

Last updated on: June 14, 2018 at 3:04 am By Jack Quirk

In 1942 the West Virginia State Board of Education ordered that all teachers and pupils be required to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance, and that refusal to do so would “‘be regarded as an Act of insubordination, and’” would “’be dealt with accordingly.’” (West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, Opinion, p. 626) [1] The penalty for refusal was expulsion, and the student couldn’t be readmitted until he or she complied. (Id, p. 629) Moreover, the expelled child... Read more

Assurance If Not an Advance

Last updated on: June 9, 2018 at 10:22 am By Jack Quirk

At the Second Vatican Council we were told, “This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within... Read more