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With the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the late pontiff leaves behind a complex legacy of brilliant intellectualism and the shadows of numerous controversies, according to College of the Holy Cross Professor Mathew Schmalz.
It’s been months since the New York Child Victims Act was signed into law allowing adult survivors of child sexual abuse to sue an abuser or a negligent institution regardless of when the abuse took place, and hundreds of new …
On Sept. 11, 2019, the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania passed bills requiring priests to report any child abuse revealed in the confessional, a move criticized by religious liberty advocates and representatives of the Catholic Church worldwide for invading …
They’ve spent years teaching at College of the Holy Cross and advancing research in their respective fields. Now, eight faculty members have been promoted to the rank of full professor. Learn more about their scholarship, their time at Holy Cross …
College of the Holy Cross students and alumni have earned an impressive array of scholarships this year from prestigious organizations, including the Knight-Hennessy Scholar Program and the Fulbright Program. These honors are testimony to the astonishing intellectual curiosity of Holy …
In a historic move, Pope Francis “defrocked” Theodore E. McCarrick, a former cardinal and archbishop of Washington, after the church found him guilty of sexual abuse. McCarrick, who was once one of the most powerful Catholic officials in the U.S., …
A recent survey has shown that the majority of churchgoing Christians in the U.S. are not familiar with the term the “Great Commission,” though the concept underpins Christian missionary work across the world. In an article for The Conversation, Mathew …
With the American popular culture fascination for “cults” increasing throughout the past few decades, Holy Cross associate professor of religious studies Mathew Schmalz has been a sought-after expert on new religious movements, providing expert commentary in outlets ranging from The …
A recent Montana jury ruling that Jehovah’s Witnesses leadership is to pay $35 million to a 21-year-old woman alleging the church covered up her childhood sexual abuse shook this tight-knit community to the core. Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious …
Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, was called upon by NBC News to share his opinion on the recent grand jury report revealing widespread abuse among 300-plus Pennsylvania priests. In a video …
Last week, media outlets worldwide were abuzz with news about a statue of the Virgin Mary at a diocese in New Mexico that appeared to had been “weeping” for more than a month, an event attracting thousands of visitors. In …
Much of the national conversation this week has focused on the United States’ treatment of asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants trying to cross the southern border. Both Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Southern Baptist Convention have used religious arguments …
In the wake of the highly publicized suicides of fashion designer Kate Spade and chef and writer Anthony Bourdain last week, there’s been increased discussion of some of the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding suicide. Writing for The Conversation, Mathew …
Last week, Pope Francis wrote to three clerical sexual abuse victims apologizing and asking for forgiveness for defending Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, accused of covering up their abuse by a former priest. In an article for The Conversation, Mathew Schmalz, …
New religious movements have been a subject of fascination in American popular culture for decades, often portrayed in movies and TV shows as “cults,” which comes with its own implications of brainwashing and authoritarian practices. In an article for The …
Tragic murder-suicide cases throughout the country have shined light on the controversial Jehovah’s Witness practice of shunning or disfellowshipping, which in essence is a punishment by excommunication. Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, offered …
As the U.S. Congress debates a tax reform bill, Matthew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, digs into the Christian and Hebrew bibles to find guidance on tax policy from Jesus and others. Writing for The Conversation, Schmalz says …
Pope Francis’ declaration that the death penalty is “contrary to the Gospel” and “inadmissible,” points to his larger emphasis on mercy, said Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies, in an interview with Austrian station Radio FM4. “Well it is …
With a meeting between Pope Francis and President Trump confirmed for May 24, speculations have begun around the impending interaction between the “slum pope” and “billionaire.” Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, …
With the Christian season of Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 1, there are a number of reflection opportunities available to members of the Holy Cross community throughout the Lenten Season, in addition to services held on campus. Each …
