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Andrew Greeley

Beliefnet Columnist

The Rev. Andrew M. Greeley is a priest, sociologist, and best-selling author. He is a professor of social sciences at the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona, and a research associate at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. His current sociological research focuses on contemporary issues facing the Catholic Church, including the celibacy of priests, the ordination of women, the religious imagination, and the sexual behavior of Catholics.

Father Greeley has written scores of books and hundreds of popular and scholarly articles. His column on political, church, and social issues is carried by The New York Times Religious News Service. He is the author of 30 best-selling novels and an autobiography, "Confessions of a Parish Priest." His latest novel, "A Midwinter's Tale," is due out next fall.

In 1986, he established a $1 million Catholic Inner-City School Fund, providing scholarships and financial support to schools in the Chicago Archdiocese. In 1984, he contributed a $1 million endowment, establishing a chair in Roman Catholic Studies at the University of Chicago. He has funded an annual lecture series on the church in society at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary.

Columns and articles by Andrew Greeley

Not a 'Panzer Pope' After All Apr 18, 2006
In his first year, Benedict XVI has confounded both liberal and conservative Catholics.

Pope Benedict's Surprise Jan 31, 2006
But now it's time for the Vatican to show the love that the pope extols in his first encyclical.

Narnia: Not Just for Evangelicals Dec 9, 2005
C.S. Lewis used storytelling and visual images to dramatize his allegory of redemption in a very Catholic way.

Benedict XVI Apr 19, 2005
The new pope could emulate his namesake and become a healer. We owe him the benefit of the doubt.

John Paul II's Mixed Legacy Feb 28, 2005
John Paul II was a brave, holy man. But his authoritarian style--especially on sexual doctrines--polarized the Church.

Proportionate Reasons to Vote Against Bush Oct 26, 2004
How many Americans will have to suffer at home, or die abroad, before God will tell Mr. Bush to change?

Catholics Can Vote for Kerry Jul 14, 2004
A top Vatican cardinal agrees: Catholics are not obliged to vote on one issue, no matter how important that issue might be.

Catholic Rituals: Bring Back the Beauty May 7, 2004
So much of modern Catholicism is ugly. What can be done to introduce beauty into the sacraments--and the U.S. church?

Sadomasochism Glorified Mar 2, 2004
Passion is a fundamentalist's film about torture, legitimated because it is the torture of Jesus.

The Catholic Church Isn't a Democracy--But It Could Be Nov 18, 2003
For the Church to return to its inherent democracy, a drastic reform of papal elections is necessary.

Can a Tightly Centralized Church Survive? Nov 11, 2003
When the Vatican misunderstands a U.S. problem, it's often the result of the church's outdated organizational structure.

Let's Have 'Holy Days of Celebration' Sep 2, 2003
Catholics have lost touch with the festive beauty and poetry of holy days--thinking of them merely as days of 'obligation.'

Catholic Bishops Shoot Themselves in the Foot--Again Jun 23, 2003
Despite everything that's happened, they still hide behind legalisms when their only salvation is transparency.

Justice for Job Jun 13, 2003
Life is not just unfair--it's cruel. Will good people who suffer receive justice?

A Bad Rap for Catholic Bishops Nov 18, 2002
Vatican revisions to the abuse policy don't weaken the bishops' stance on abusive priests.

Due Process for Priests Oct 25, 2002
True, the Vatican doesn't 'get' American Catholics' anger. But priests' rights still need to be protected.

Zero Tolerance for the Bishops Jun 18, 2002
The bishops did a good job on the new charter. But until some resign, the laity will remain skeptical.

No Deep Pockets in the
U.S. Catholic Church May 28, 2002
If Catholics decide to punish the church by withholding donations, the poor and the sick will pay the price.

Clueless Curial Arrogance May 21, 2002
Comments by bishops abroad reveal they know nothing about U.S. society, culture, and law--or about American Catholics.

Answering the Priest-Bashers Mar 26, 2002
It's self-serving for men who have repudiated their promise of celibacy to attack those who still try to keep it.

Letters to a Loving God Feb 26, 2002
A busy Catholic priest looks back on his vocation, the church today, and his life in the public eye.

Addressing Priestly Pedophilia Jan 17, 2002
Designed to be a constructive if overdue solution, new Vatican documents create obscurity which makes the Church look bad again.

The Third Islamic Invasion Oct 8, 2001
The most recent onslaught of Muslims come on a tide of immigration

An Eye for an Eye? Oct 1, 2001
The Afghans are smelly, unkempt, and don't live very long anyway. Clearly, one of their lives is not worth an American life.

Global Warming Falsehoods Aug 7, 2001
SUVs are the whipping boy for a natural environmental cycle.

Is the President a Celebrity? May 25, 2001
NBC's 'The West Wing' makes the private life of a president public.

A 'Friendly Fight' Between Two Cardinals May 18, 2001
One prelate believes in a strongly centralized Catholic Church. Another thinks local bishops need more decision-making power.

Scary Days, but Good Days Feb 5, 2001
The movie 'Thirteen Days' is a lesson in public and private virtue.

The Abortion Charade Goes On Nov 17, 2000
Church leaders pontificate against abortion from the pulpit, but sit down to dine with pro-choice politicians.

Vote for the Party, Not the Man Oct 20, 2000
'Independents' are suckers for slick candidate packaging, while party platforms reflect genuine interests.

Why the Republicans Won't Get My Catholic Vote Aug 31, 2000
The Democrats' platform isn't perfect, but at least it doesn't favor the rich over the poor like the GOP's

What Do Harry Potter and Our Lady of Fatima Have in Common? Jul 21, 2000
They offer their fans secrets, esoteric knowledge, and a world in which good always triumphs over evil

Go Ahead--Bash the Bishop Jun 18, 2000
He's human like you, so it's all right to complain--just don't let him make you mad enough to leave the church

Did Catholic Conservatives Plot to Kill the Pope? May 14, 2000
Papal biographer Tad Szulc suggests that French rightists masterminded the 1981 assassination attempt

Mothers of Invention Apr 10, 2000
How the Church brought on dissent by encouraging women to go to college

Miracle Workers Mar 17, 2000
Popular culture abounds these days with women saints of astonishing powers

Weddings as Festivals Feb 17, 2000
Weddings are the life of the church, even if the happy couple has committed the sin of cohabitation.

Catholic Movies That Don't Preach Jan 20, 2000
The Films of Krzysztoff Kieslowski Reveal Deep Spirituality in the Humdrum

The Millennium Is a Fraud Dec 14, 1999
People from the Pope on down are using it for their own ends.