Weekly Summary: 11/8/25

The week in review, through the eyes of a veteran Catholic journalist

• The biggest story this week, of course, was the Vatican document on titles of the Virgin Mary, and I had plenty to say about it.

In my first analysis of that statement— there would be more— I conceded that the title “Co-Redemptrix” can easily be misunderstood. But I questioned why the Vatican’s top doctrinal body felt it necessary to issue a formal statement on the matter.

Next, having read a very perceptive account by Delia Gallagher of the press conference at which this document was released, I agreed with her conclusion that Cardinal Fernandez, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, “is inordinately bothered by traditional Catholics.” So it’s not surprising the traditional Catholics are bothered by his statement.

Then I noticed a curious detail about the document: two translations, both issued by the Vatican press office, differed on the most important point!

Finally (?), I summed up my argument that the Vatican statement is not so much wrong as inopportune.

• In the American political world, the big story was the week’s election results, which I saw as “a ringing vote of no-confidence in our political system.” I’m not worried so much about the implications for next year’s midterms, as for the long-term survival of our civilization.

• American Catholic bishops are chastising immigration officials for denying detainees access to the sacraments. I couldn’t help but point out: that exactly what every Catholic bishop in the country did to us all in 2020. Some repentance is in order.

• My Just-War Seminar continues, with an analysis this week of guerrilla warfare, and how it undermines the principle of non-combatant immunity.

• Leila drew an enormous response to her posts about women who have babies after the age of 40. On this week’s Home Front podcast, we talked about that— and about that Vatican document on the titles of the Virgin, and about the dangerous tendency to silence, rather than debate, political opponents.

• The official publication date for my novel Ghost Runner is just ten days away, it’s available for advance orders, and I’ve already received my own copies. (So I’ve discontinued the “sneak previews” that have been appearing here.) The first review appeared last Saturday on The Catholic Thing.

And I happened to notice that Lost Shepherd, my book about Pope Francis, is now available for less than half the list price!