Catholic News Agency launched a new online resource, focusing on
the experiences and spiritual lives of Catholic men in order to
strengthen them in their commitments to marriage, fatherhood, and the
single life.
The new column, “Catholic Men,” premiered on Monday, March 21 and
will feature contributions from men in diverse fields of expertise on
topics relating to lay men within the Church.
“Through this column, we hope to encourage guys to embrace the
adventure of their lay vocation – as single or married men – and to
bring their unique masculine virtues into their lives of faith, prayer,
family and profession,” said organizer Brian Caulfield.
Caulfield – editor of the website “Fathers for Good,” an initiative
of the Knights of Columbus that provides resources on Christian
fatherhood – explained that the “Cathlolic Men” column on CNA is an
extension of that ministry.
A father of two young boys, Caulfield emphasized that members of the
faith “need to show laymen how much they are needed within the Catholic
Church, and that there is a place for them even if they are not called
to priesthood.”
“As we can see from popular culture, true masculine virtues and
strength are not highly valued today,” he added. “Men are portrayed as
either ineffective husbands and fathers, or dangerous psychological
agents who use their strength to harm society or to seduce and use
women.”
“In so many social, legal and cultural settings, the natural
masculine instinct to protect, provide and guide is seen as
unnecessary,” leaving men “to struggle with their role and identity,”
Caulfield said.
He also noted that recent studies show how more women than men attend
Sunday Mass, and “a good number of those women are mothers with young
kids who sit in the pews without their husbands.”
“This is a crisis of major importance,” Caulfield said.
CNA will be posting new contributions to “Catholic Men” every Monday
alongside its daily coverage of news pertaining to the Church around the
world. The column can be accessed through banners on CNA's main page or
by clicking here.
Caulfield said that he, along with seven other columnists, will contribute to the site on a rotating basis.
“These are men who are accomplished bloggers or have a special
expertise in the issues relating to manhood and fatherhood,” he said.
Monday's edition featured Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, a Catholic
psychiatrist who writes about marital relationships and Dr. Peter
Kleponis, a Catholic psychologist who addresses the effects of
pornography and raising teens.
Andrew Haines, a blogger-philosopher discusses moral and social
topics in his pieces and Daniel Lord – a composer and musician – writes
on cultural issues.
“Catholic Men” will also include articles from Devin Rose – a dad
who, with his wife, has adopted four children – Jason Godin, a young
college professor who writes about domestic life and Michael Brewer,
head of the College Knights of Columbus program.
“I hope the 'Catholic Men' section gives voice to the issues that
affect men as they live out their vocations to marriage and fatherhood,”
Caulfield said.
“We will strive to give men the tools they need to engage today's
culture, to help them become strong and faithful men, and to affirm that
the Church indeed has a place for men outside of the ordained
ministry,” he added.