Category Archives: Mathew Schmalz

With the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the late pontiff leaves behind a complex legacy of brilliant intellectualism and the shadows of numerous controversies, according to College of the Holy Cross Professor Mathew Schmalz.

It’s been months since the New York Child Victims Act was signed into law allowing adult survivors of child sexual abuse to sue an abuser or a negligent institution regardless of when the abuse took place, and hundreds of new … Continue reading →

On Sept. 11, 2019, the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania passed bills requiring priests to report any child abuse revealed in the confessional, a move criticized by religious liberty advocates and representatives of the Catholic Church worldwide for invading … Continue reading →

In a historic move, Pope Francis “defrocked” Theodore E. McCarrick, a former cardinal and archbishop of Washington, after the church found him guilty of sexual abuse. McCarrick, who was once one of the most powerful Catholic officials in the U.S., … Continue reading →

A recent survey has shown that the majority of churchgoing Christians in the U.S. are not familiar with the term the “Great Commission,” though the concept underpins Christian missionary work across the world. In an article for The Conversation, Mathew … Continue reading →

A recent Montana jury ruling that Jehovah’s Witnesses leadership is to pay $35 million to a 21-year-old woman alleging the church covered up her childhood sexual abuse shook this tight-knit community to the core. Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious … Continue reading →

Last week, media outlets worldwide were abuzz with news about a statue of the Virgin Mary at a diocese in New Mexico that appeared to had been “weeping” for more than a month, an event attracting thousands of visitors. In … Continue reading →

In the wake of the highly publicized suicides of fashion designer Kate Spade and chef and writer Anthony Bourdain last week, there’s been increased discussion of some of the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding suicide. Writing for The Conversation, Mathew … Continue reading →

Last week, Pope Francis wrote to three clerical sexual abuse victims apologizing and asking for forgiveness for defending Chilean Bishop Juan Barros, accused of covering up their abuse by a former priest. In an article for The Conversation, Mathew Schmalz, … Continue reading →

New religious movements have been a subject of fascination in American popular culture for decades, often portrayed in movies and TV shows as “cults,” which comes with its own implications of brainwashing and authoritarian practices. In an article for The … Continue reading →

Tragic murder-suicide cases throughout the country have shined light on the controversial Jehovah’s Witness practice of shunning or disfellowshipping, which in essence is a punishment by excommunication. Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, offered … Continue reading →

As the U.S. Congress debates a tax reform bill, Matthew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, digs into the Christian and Hebrew bibles to find guidance on tax policy from Jesus and others. Writing for The Conversation, Schmalz says … Continue reading →

With a meeting between Pope Francis and President Trump confirmed for May 24, speculations have begun around the impending interaction between the “slum pope” and “billionaire.” Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, … Continue reading →