Opinion

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the Life, Death & Legacy of Pope Francis

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
As cardinals gather in Rome for the latest conclave in order to select a new pope, this week, we asked readers their opinion on the life, death, and legacy of the late Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from Latin America, and the first pope from the southern hemisphere, who was born in Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and died at the Vatican in Rome, Italy on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88.

Op-Ed: Why I Oppose Gov. Hochul’s Proposed Mask Restrictions

By J. GOODMAN
Regarding Gov. Hochul’s proposed mask ban, which she seeks to bundle into New York’s upcoming state budget (due to be finalized by March 31), I oppose the ban. As a disabled Jewish woman who engages in activism, I find the possible codification of this measure to be a horrific violation of human and civil rights, in multiple ways:

UPDATE Op-Ed: In Celebration of the Life & Legacy of Lydia Sadler, Church of the Mediator Vestry Senior Member

By STEPHANIE COGGINS
Early last month, I received a direct message from a friend of mine, alerting me that Lydia Sadler had suffered a traumatic asthma attack, resulting in complications that put her on life support in the NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in Manhattan. Several days later on Feb. 12, the follow-up message relayed the catastrophic news: Lydia had died, selflessly donating her organs for the furtherance of someone else’s life.

UPDATE Op-Ed: Aging Can be Isolating; A New Men’s Group Offers a New Outlook

By JA'DEE MURPHY
Aging is a mixed bag. We can all have light-hearted conversations about joint pains, expanding waistlines, and keeping our cholesterol in check, but what society doesn’t talk about nearly enough is how isolating getting older can be. For those of us with complex health conditions that curb our movement, and often frustratingly confine us to our homes, our world and social circles get smaller and smaller as we age.

UPDATE Inquiring Photographer: Opinions on Bill Which Would Allow Wine Sales in Supermarkets

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers for their opinions on proposed State bill which, if passed, would allow supermarkets to sell wine under a new license which would only be available to full-service grocery stores primarily engaged in the sale of food, which already have a license for off-premises beer sales, and which have a surface area of more than 5,000 sq. ft. Incentives would also be given to supermarkets to sell New York wine.

Op-Ed: The Impact of DOGE on Catholic Relief Services

By LOIS HARR
The Catholic News Agency reported on Jan. 31 that U.S. bishops have asked Catholics to reach out to their members of Congress and request the resumption of foreign aid programs following the Trump-Vance administration’s decision to temporarily pause funding for many programs, including those provided by Catholic Relief Services, pending review.