Stepping Out of the Boat

Matthew 14:29

The title of this blog is a reference to Matthew 14:29, where Jesus invited Peter to step from the boat and trust in the Lord. My observations on this blog are designed to respond to this challenge, and to offer a vision of how Catholics can proclaim the Gospel in the public square.

Recent Blog Posts

Catholic Public Officials and Church Teaching

As long as the Church has existed, we have had to deal with the question of how we can be active in public life while being faithful to Church teaching. Two recent cases have arisen that provide a good opportunity to make some key distinctions and to better understand the Church’s position on key publicContinue reading “Catholic Public Officials and Church Teaching”

November 24, 2020

Some Post-Election Thoughts

We have just been through a bruising and difficult election. In some cases, elections are still being contested and finalized. But now that the dust has mostly settled, I think it’s a good time to offer some post-election thoughts – my amateur political analysis and some glimpses into the future. The President Lost Because HeContinue reading “Some Post-Election Thoughts”

November 17, 2020November 18, 2020

Words of Wisdom About Elections

Every four years, we hear people say that “this is the most important election of our lifetime”. Those people have short memories. While our nation is politically polarized and emotions run high now, I would remind people of the two Civil War elections, 1860 and 1864. In both of those years, Abraham Lincoln was electedContinue reading “Words of Wisdom About Elections”

November 4, 2020November 13, 2020

Voting With a Clear Catholic Conscience

The election is finally almost over. Many people have already voted by mail or at early sites, but many of us still have not. I am a Catholic who is very serious about both politics and following the guidance of our bishops. So I want to vote with a clear Catholic conscience. I’d like toContinue reading “Voting With a Clear Catholic Conscience”

November 1, 2020November 13, 2020

About Me

I am a life-long New Yorker, a graduate of Columbia College and Harvard Law School, and a former state and federal prosecutor. I am currently the Director of Public Policy and the Director of Safe Environment at the Archdiocese of New York. All opinions here are mine, and mine alone, and do not represent official statements of the Archdiocese. All Glory to God.

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