Joel Connelly

1 week ago | nwprogressive.org | Joel Connelly

After nearly four decades at the helm, the legendary Father Michael G. Ryan is retiring as pastor of Seattle’s St. James Cathedral. Ryan is a big reason why the city’s faith community has influenced life in a very secular city. He will be replaced by Father Gary Lazzeroni.

2 weeks ago | nwprogressive.org | Joel Connelly

Posted inElectionsAdvance polling throughout 2024 had suggested that the Conservatives had a huge advantage going into the next general election. Justin Trudeau’s resignation and Donald Trump’s return changed that. The Liberals will have another opportunity to work on reducing Canadians’ cost of living and responding to Trump’s trade war. They’ll do so with a shrunken NDP caucus that will have fewer than ten members, and an enlarged Conservative opposition.

2 weeks ago | nwprogressive.org | Joel Connelly

As results poured in from a seminal election, Canada emerged as a united country looking outward but deeply divided at home. The governing center-left Liberal Party won its fourth consecutive national election, but fell just short of a majority of seats in parliament. Just forty-five days on the job, Prime Minister Mark Carney ran hard, not so much against domestic opposition but by targeting Donald Trump.

2 weeks ago | postalley.org | Joel Connelly

She has summited Mt.Rainier, Kilimanjaro, and the Grand Teton, but the most treacherous ground traversed by Sen. Maria Cantwell is in Washington D.C. corridors of power. Trying to get stuff done carries perils in our polarized nation. Cantwell is vigorously opposing Senate confirmation of extreme and unqualified Trump appointees, while trying to enlist Republicans to curb Trump excess. A prime example, her legislation that would require congressional approval of new tariffs within 60 days.

3 weeks ago | postalley.org | Joel Connelly

Pope Francis will be remembered for a pastoral papacy, from his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, in a simple white cassock, to his funeral instructions that his coffin not be elevated. He was the first Pope from the Global South, the first Jesuit to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, and the first to pick the name Francis. He also named 108 of the 135 cardinals who will pick his successor.