Footnote by Dr. Christopher Manion – The Bellarmine Forum

Hillary Clinton has proclaimed a woman’s right to abortion as her “bedrock truth.” In view of the tens of thousands of minority children killed by abortion in New York every year, what should Cardinal Dolan say to his state’s former junior senator? Hillary Clinton has proclaimed a woman’s right to abortion as her “bedrock truth.”…

Charlie Van Hecke, whose voice has introduced this program for the past 18 months, has gone to his eternal reward. May he rest in peace. Charlie Van Hecke, whose voice has introduced this program for the past 18 months, has gone to his eternal reward. May he rest in peace.

Father James Schall, S.J., reflects on democracies, good and bad. Father James Schall, S.J., reflects on democracies, good and bad.

The Catholic principle of subsidiarity is fundamental to the governance of the Church, but it is also important to the Natural Law, the Common Law, and, with a unique caveat, to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, where it defends us from intrusion into our home and community life by ambitious politicians. The…

Why is the media so predictably liberal and anti-Catholic? And why do media “conservatives” and media “Catholics” sound so dumb? Why is the media so predictably liberal and anti-Catholic? And why do media “conservatives” and media “Catholics” sound so dumb?

Do fathers make a difference? Two distinguished observers of the American scene think so. Professor Walter Williams and Dr. Patrick Fagan offer findings that don’t fit in to the politically correct view of our society and culture. Do fathers make a difference? Two distinguished observers of the American scene think so. Professor Walter Williams and…

Most sensible people are tired of the Prestige Media and its lapdog liberals. Fortunately, there’s one Washington reporter who actually knows what he’s doing. Most sensible people are tired of the Prestige Media and its lapdog liberals. Fortunately, there’s one Washington reporter who actually knows what he’s doing.

Dissident Catholics are a curious bunch. They reject the teaching authority of the Church, they can’t say the Creed honestly, and yet they insist on calling themselves “Catholic” and demand that the Church change its teachings to accommodate them. Can you figure them out? Dissident Catholics are a curious bunch. They reject the teaching authority…

The relationship between the Church’s charities and the federal government is not often discussed in fundraising campaigns of groups like Catholic Relief Services. Is that a good idea? The relationship between the Church’s charities and the federal government is not often discussed in fundraising campaigns of groups like Catholic Relief Services. Is that a good…

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, outgoing president of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference, says that the bishops, some of Obama’s “greatest supporters,” can’t be cheerleaders for the president until he ends the HHS Contraception Mandate. Is Cardinal Dolan on the right track here? Timothy Cardinal Dolan, outgoing president of the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference, says that the…

“Social Justice” groups argue that the “gap between the rich and the poor” is the major cause of poverty. Would it help if we were all poor? “Social Justice” groups argue that the “gap between the rich and the poor” is the major cause of poverty. Would it help if we were all poor?

Many groups raising money to “fight poverty” are actually using contributions to hire lobbyists in Washington. Does this meet the “Truth in Advertising” standard? Many groups raising money to “fight poverty” are actually using contributions to hire lobbyists in Washington. Does this meet the “Truth in Advertising” standard?

There’s more to homeschooling than content and curriculum: the habits homeschoolers learn are far different from those inculcated in public school students. There’s more to homeschooling than content and curriculum: the habits homeschoolers learn are far different from those inculcated in public school students.

The National Catholic Education Association has endorsed the Federal Government’s “Common Core” educational standards. Should Catholics be concerned? The National Catholic Education Association has endorsed the Federal Government’s “Common Core” educational standards. Should Catholics be concerned?

The Census Bureau reports that the number of Americans receiving means-tested welfare benefits is greater than the number who work full time. Should the Catholic church take note? The Census Bureau reports that the number of Americans receiving means-tested welfare benefits is greater than the number who work full time. Should the Catholic church take…

The “Nuns on the Bus” are acting like a couple of political charlatans. But they can reprieve their reputations by rallying to the long-standing tradition of women religious and their service to children. The “Nuns on the Bus” are acting like a couple of political charlatans. But they can reprieve their reputations by rallying to…

The Washington Post doesn’t think so. The Washington Post doesn’t think so.

What would happen if the word got out that the U.S. Government were sharing all your personal data, conversations, and emails with the Vatican? Ed. note: due to technical glitch, this episode has been updated to connect to the correct audio file. What would happen if the word got out that the U.S. Government were…

Footnote wandered over to the Senate Chamber last month to watch Sen. Ted Cruz read a bedtime story to his kids. But the media prefer the Texas State Senator who spent eleven hours defending infanticide. Footnote wandered over to the Senate Chamber last month to watch Sen. Ted Cruz read a bedtime story to his…

German authorities sent a SWAT team with a battering ram to “rescue” four homeschooled children from their parents’ “prison” in Darmstadt. Footnote rejects the notion that this mentality is a leftover from the Hitler ear, and traces the mentality much further back in Germany. Footnote also recalls that John Swett, the state Superintendent of Education…

Wrong-Way Corrigan flew out of Floyd Bennett field in New York in 1938, heading for California. He somehow wound up in Dublin, Ireland, instead. President Obama’s proposed standards for government student loans demand higher graduation rates, rather than improved educational standards, at participating colleges and universities. Is he heading in the wrong direction? Wrong-Way Corrigan…

Three years ago, the federal government quietly took over the student loan program from private lenders. Today, the other shoe is falling, as Obama announces that the government will decide which institutions of higher learning merit the federal support, “in the government’s opinion.” Will Catholic institutions suing the Obama Administration make the cut? Three years…

Saint André Bessette cured so many cripples that their crutches line wall after wall of the Oratory of Saint Joseph, which he founded on Mount Royal in Montreal. Footnote looks at one of those miraculous cures, as chronicled by Laurent Bucher, CSC, Saint André’s biographer. Saint André Bessette cured so many cripples that their crutches…

Saint André Bessette, known to millions simply as Brother André, was the porter at Notre Dame College (High School) in Montreal, Quebec. He is the first canonized saint of the Congregation of the Holy Cross (the CSC’s), which also founded Notre Dame University. Footnote looks at Brother André’s devotion to the spirit of the CSC’s,…

Professor Rice: 45 years ago, Notre Dame led a group of Catholic universities in declaring independence from the Catholic Church. Did it lead to academic excellence? Or more money for the school and more debt for the students? Professor Rice: 45 years ago, Notre Dame led a group of Catholic universities in declaring independence from…

Ten years ago, President George W. Bush invaded Iraq to “end evil in the world.” How has that worked out for Christians in the Middle East? Ten years ago, President George W. Bush invaded Iraq to “end evil in the world.” How has that worked out for Christians in the Middle East?

Footnote discusses Right or Wrong, the impressive new book by Bellarmine Forum Chairman Charles E. Rice, professor of Constitutional Law at Notre Dame Law School. What is Notre Dame’s approach to Church teaching, especially Humanae Vitae? Footnote discusses Right or Wrong, the impressive new book by Bellarmine Forum Chairman Charles E. Rice, professor of Constitutional Law at Notre Dame Law…

Besides allegedly funding the Syrian rebels and providing them with the bombs that are destroying Catholic and Orthodox churches in Syria, your tax dollars are used to aggressively push an anti-life agenda in the Third World. Hear direct reports from Fr. Peter Clovis.

Upside Down Catholics: Isn’t it curious that many Catholics who insist that the Church adopt their left-wing political agenda are the same dissidents who refuse to embrace the Church’s magisterial teachings?

Negotiating With The Church: When people challenge the magisterial teachings of the Church and offer views that are diametrically opposed, should the Church meet them halfway in the spirit of “Consensus”?

The Death Of The Common Good: Has diversity destroyed the sense of community and legitimate authority that, the Church teaches, is required for civic life?

Benedict’s Motu Proprio, Round Two: With Pope Benedict's new addition to Canon Law, will the Catholic Church in the U.S. have to stop taking billions a year from the federal government?

As he was preparing to leave office, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a critical clarification of Canon Law regarding how the Church conducts Catholic charities of all kinds. The local bishop, not the national conferences, should be the point man, he says, and they must implement many common-sense rules that a lot of Catholic institutions are not going to like – at all.

In Footnote 33, Chris Manion observes that a whacko feminist recently insisted that children belong to the state, not to God or their parents. She thought she was being very avante-garde. Was she right? Far from it: it’s an old canard whose history deserves our attention.

The Bellarmine Forum’s Campaign for Humanae Vitae™ got a big boost in April, as Raymond Cardinal Burke urged the laity to encourage our priests and bishops to teach the truths of the faith in their dioceses. Waiting for national bishops’ conferences and their bureaucracies to do it means delay and a watered-down product, he says. The Bellarmine Forum’s Campaign for…

In Footnote 30, Chris Manion interviews Phil Lawler, Editor of Catholic Culture (catholicculture.org). In Footnote 30, Chris Manion interviews Phil Lawler, Editor of Catholic Culture (catholicculture.org).

In Footnote 30, Chris Manion interviews Bill Williams, a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, and his wife Esther, a native of Malta, and they recount more highlights in the history of the Order on the Island of Malta.

In Footnote 29, Chris Manion interviews Bill Williams, a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, who recounts some highlights in the history of the Order on the Island of Malta.

In Footnote 28, Chris Manion interviews Greg August, a Knight of Magistral Grace in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, to discuss the Order’s outreach to college students, especially those in the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

In Footnote 27, Chris Manion interviews Steve Mosher, President of the Population Research Institution, discussing the issues that arise when Catholic nonprofits accept government funding or sign on as government contractors.

In Footnote 26, Chris Manion interviews Steve Mosher, President of the Population Research Institution, discussing the differences between Catholic Charity and government “charity” in Africa.

In Footnote 25, Chris Manion interviews Steve Mosher, President of the Population Institution, who reports on the sex-selection abortions that are catching on in the U.S.

Chris Manion interviews Chris Slattery, who brought crisis pregnancy care to New York City.

The Bellarmine Forum presents Howard Walsh, entrepreneur and publisher, who tells the story of Keep the Faith, which offers Catholic Internet programming to the Faithful worldwide.

The Bellarmine Forum brings you an interview with Howard Walsh, a model for Catholic laymen everywhere, explains how he put his years of business experience to work rescuing a wonderful magazine and bringing it to thousands of Catholics worldwide.

In Footnote 21, Chris Manion continues his interview with Father Kenneth Baker, S.J., discussing Fr. Baker's friend Father Raymond De Jaegher, S.J. who was a missionary to Viet Nam and China for thirty years. Listen to this breathtaking story of Fr. De Jaegher's imprisonment, first by the Japanese, and the Mao’s Chinese Communists.

In Footnote episode 20, Dr. Christopher Manion interviews Father Kenneth Baker, S.J., about his forty years as editor of the Homiletic and Pastoral Review, as well as his role as translator of the German works of Josef Cardinal Ratzinger.

In Footnote episode 18, Dr. Manion declares Obama to be The Great Divider. In Federalist Paper #1, Alexander Hamilton identified rationality as the critical ingredient of a constitutional republic. Yet, in the last election, voters were encouraged to vote on the basis of lust and envy, two of the strongest irrational passions.

In Footnote episode 18, Dr. Manion explains what it means when they say they are Dumbing Down The Core Curriculum. The federal government is at it again, pushing new “standards” for English that will require public school students to read government manuals instead of classical poetry and prose, all in the name of academic excellence.  …

The City of Detroit has been virtually destroyed by a series of incompetent and corrupt politicians. Yet those same politicians demand billions in federal taxpayer funds because they can deliver the votes. Should they get it?

Is Obama really like Stalin? Listen to the Bellarmine Forum Footnote episode 16 wherein Dr. Manion examines whether the kulaks are alive and well in America today.