Paul Baumann

Article

Master Builders

Be wary of conservative nostalgia: under the near-dictatorial reign of Francis Cardinal Spellman, vanity, corruption, and abuse flourished.

By Paul Baumann

December 26, 2022

Bishops

Religion

Politics

Article

Listening to the Synod

A synodal report from the American bishops reflects fears that the Church has become too “judgmental.” But a Church that does not judge cannot bear moral witness.

November 5, 2022

Article

The Strange Genius of Hilary Mantel

The late novelist Hilary Mantel’s sensibilities were clear-eyed and agreeably eccentric.

October 9, 2022

Article

Norman Rockwell’s America

An America closer to the ideals Norman Rockwell illustrated—freer from want and prejudice—might be just what we need.

September 13, 2022

Article

Transgressive Traditionalists

Traditionalism can seem trendy and countercultural, but it is the constancy, not the theatricality, of the Church that offers meaning in a secular world.

By Paul Baumann

August 23, 2022

U.S. Catholicism

Secularism and Modernity

Article

Trump’s ‘Providential’ Defeat

Steve Bannon has tried to cast both Trump’s victory and defeat as providential, the first battles in an ongoing war. Let’s hope providence has other plans.

By Paul Baumann

August 12, 2022

Donald Trump

Must Reads

Politics

Just Call It Fascism

The thinly veiled fascism of Russian “philosopher” Alexander Dugin has attracted right-wing attention and admiration.

By Matt McManus

November 27, 2022

Religion

Call It ‘Exculturation’

We're seeing an unbinding of the deep affinity between representations of culture and Catholic culture. How did Catholicism come to be seen as the enemy?

By Massimo Faggioli

December 19, 2022