Upping the White House ante

John McCain has stunned political friends and enemies alike with his choice of running mate – a gun-toting, pro-life mother of five who has been a state governor for less than two years. His hope is that the choice will win the votes of women and right-wing Christians. But it’s a high-risk strategy that could easily backfire...

Holy Father visits a difficult daughter

When Pope Benedict travels to Paris and Lourdes next week, there will be much comment on the way his approach contrasts with that of John Paul II. But the immediate priorities of this Pope are slightly different – even if the sceptical attitude of the French remains the same...

By the River Thames we remember Syon

Archaeologists from London University have just completed the final excavation of one of the most prestigious religious houses of late-medieval England. Over the past five years they have built up a picture of an abbey west of London whose church may have been bigger than that at Westminster...

Lost below the radar

Not one of the measures announced by Gordon Brown this week will help those on benefits, who suffer disproportionately from the rising cost of food, energy and shelter. But then why should the Government worry about those who never turn out for elections?...

In clouds of glory

Because the faithful have become partners of Christ, they share in the mystery of the God who enables them to find unity. They do this, Daniel McCarthy explains, through worship that recognises that they can know God only in ways that are mediated through divine majesty...

Different gifts, same Spirit

The setting up of parish vocation teams can help implement the declaration by Europe’s bishops that recognised the whole Church as an assembly of those who have been called – lay and ordained, men and women, all are baptised priest, prophet and king...

Hunting the gatherers

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