The Tragedy of Suicide
Whenever a suicide occurs, those who knew the person are usually shocked, grief-stricken, and confused. “Why did he (she) make [...]
The Challenge of Being a Priest
Being a priest bestows the incomparable honor of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, as [...]
When Prayer Becomes Propaganda
At first glance, the prayer that Father James Martin, S.J. recently published in America, the magazine he edits, seems a heartfelt [...]
Taking a Knee . . . for What?
The NFL kneeling syndrome is no longer on the front pages. It has been displaced by the hurricanes and the [...]
Moral Theology and Muslim Immigration
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may [...]
Islam Examined, Part 2
Part 1 of this essay discussed the analysis of Islam presented by Nonie Darwish in Cruel and Usual Punishment: The [...]
Islam Examined, Part 1
If Westerners were to stop looking at Islam through the lens of Political Correctness, they would fear for the future [...]
The Age of the Double Standard
Applying a double standard means minimizing or overlooking the lapses in logic or ethics of people we like or agree [...]
Catholic Prelates and Muslim Immigration
For almost two millennia, Christianity has survived innumerable challenges from without, including heresies, schisms and philosophical “isms,” as well as [...]
“Tough Streetfighter from Queens”
The appellation “tough street fighter from Queens” has been applied to both Donald Trump and Anthony Scaramucci to explain their [...]
The Continuing Decline of Journalism
A number of authors have written probing criticisms of modern journalism, notably Bernard Goldberg, James Fallows, and Bob Kohn. Now [...]
Remembering that Words Matter
In times past, there was universal agreement among thinking people that words matter and therefore should be used honestly and [...]
On Listening and Learning
The occasion was a recent picnic and my discussion with a pharmacist began well. I mentioned that I have often [...]
Restoring Restraint & Civility in America
Recently, in an essay titled The Root of Violence, I proposed that the solution to the problem of violence is [...]
The Root of Violence
On June 14 a man opened fire with a rifle at a group of Republican lawmakers as they practiced for [...]
Random Observations
Recently, while flying to Rome, I was browsing through the Swiss Airline magazine and noticed how much European cigarette ads [...]
A Most Pleasant Journey
Travel, it has been said, provides insights into places, people, and even more importantly, into the smallness of our individual places [...]
The Lost Art of Paying Attention
A month before the 2016 election, I wrote an essay called “My Political Disgust," in which I criticized most politicians [...]
The Health Care Quandary
Traditionally, most Americans placed a high value on personal responsibility. They believed people should provide for themselves by working hard, [...]
“Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace”
The prayer that begins with this petition is my favorite and the favorite of millions of people of various religious [...]
The Sudden Firing of Bill O’Reilly
The full story concerning O’Reilly’s firing is not yet complete, so fairness demands that any judgment of the man be [...]
A Reflection on Pride and Humility
Two of Jesus’ parables give special emphasis to humility. The Parable of the Guests (Luke 14) explains how being humble [...]
The Other Side of Forgiveness
We are reminded of the importance of forgiving others every time we recite the Lord’s Prayer and ask God to [...]
The Media’s Role in Social Discord
In late March, 2017, a 14 year old Rockville, MD girl was allegedly dragged into a school bathroom and raped [...]
Everyday Grace
Last Sunday, as I stood in line to receive communion, I noticed an elderly couple across from me. Both were [...]
Author Vincent Ryan Ruggiero
Since retiring from teaching, I have continued my work in promoting sound thinking in education and in the general culture. More specifically, I have kept refining my textbooks, four of which have been continuously in print for an average of 33 years. I have also continued to write books for the general public, the latest of which is Corrupted Culture: Rediscovering America’s Enduring Principles, Values, and Common Sense, and I write a weekly column for an online journal.