Tom Roberts, National Catholic Reporter Journalist Profile

Articles

Will libertarians refashion the US Catholic Church?

1 week ago | ncronline.org | Tom Roberts |Michael Sean Winters

The recent column penned by Tim Busch and headlined by the National Catholic Register, "The Trump Administration: More Catholic Than You Know," may be stunning as a political endorsement, but it is far more important as a statement that twists Catholic thought into unrecognizable shapes. It is the most recent of Busch's pronouncements that raise serious questions about Catholicism's engagement in the wider culture and who represents the voice of church authority in this era.
Childersburg prepares for upcoming elections

1 month ago | annistonstar.com | Tom Roberts

CHILDERSBURG - The Childersburg City Council voted to enter into a working agreement with Talladega County and its Board of Registrars for the 2025 Municipal Election, authorizing Mayor Ken Wesson to execute the agreement during their regular meeting Tuesday night. Like all municipalities in Talladega County except for the city of Talladega, Childersburg will be holding its first ever election in an odd-numbered year this summer, on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sylacauga School Board agrees to Legion Stadium resurfacing project with county

1 month ago | annistonstar.com | Tom Roberts

SYLACUAGA - During their recent meeting, the Sylacauga Board of Education approved a bid of $708,888 to Game Day Athletic Surfaces, Inc. for the field turf replacement project at Legion Stadium. The project is a cooperative agreement with the Talladega County Board of Education, whose B.B. Comer High School shares use of the facility. The work is scheduled to take place during the months of June and July, and completed by the start of the new 2025-26 school year in August.
Childersburg Council hears judicial building update

2 months ago | annistonstar.com | Tom Roberts

The Childersburg City Council handled a short agenda on Tuesday, with barely a quorum present. The council members present then turned their attention to the new Childersburg Judicial Complex. Council members Angie Twyman and Wes Allen were absent. Renovations on the building that will house both the Childersburg Police Department and the Municipal Court was reported as making significant, on-schedule progress.
Goaltender Jackson Whistle stands tall in shoot-out as Belfast Giants overcome Coventry Blaze

2 months ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Tom Roberts

Goaltender Jackson Whistle stands tall in shoot-out as Belfast Giants overcome Coventry BlazeBelfast Giants 3 Coventry Blaze 2(After Shootout)The Belfast Giants extended their lead at the top of the Elite League to five pointsBravo Jackson Whistle. Mostly it is the goalscorers who get the plaudits for victories, this time though the Belfast Giants goaltender deserves to take all the praise.
Childersburg Council approves the sale of industrial park property

Jan 23, 2025 | annistonstar.com | Tom Roberts

CHILDERSBURG - The city council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Ken Wesson to sign a letter of intent on behalf of the City of Childersburg and the Industrial Development Authority with Cooper Steel South, LLC., during their regular meeting Tuesday night.
Childersburg Council approves ambulance grant application

Jan 8, 2025 | annistonstar.com | Tom Roberts

The Childersburg City Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing JMCM Consulting to submit a grant application for an ambulance and related equipment Tuesday night. The grant amount will be $385,000 with a local match of $41,249.97 plus the consulting fee. During the same meeting, the Council approved a three-year agreement with Waste Recycling for equipment located at Hollywood Boulevard, along with a pricing schedule for the recycling material purchased by Waste Recycling.
Risking the Questions podcast: Women and the Catholic Church

Dec 11, 2024 | ncronline.org | Joan Chittister |Tom Roberts

As a young sister teaching school, Joan Chittister one evening came across the small book, Women and the Church, by Sr. A.M. McGrath, a Dominican sister and a Ph.D. historian and chair at the time of the history department at Rosary College. The book, published in 1976, is a piercing march through the church's historical attitudes about women, a mixture of deep history and polemic. Chittister read it in one sitting, and the book lined out a part of the path she took in advocating for women.
My mother's abortion

Oct 23, 2024 | ncronline.org | Valerie Schultz |Michael Sean Winters |Tom Roberts

The author's mother, Dolores, and the author are pictured the fall of 1957. (Courtesy of Valerie Schultz) My mother, God rest her soul, would be mortified by the title of this essay. But this bit of history is not what you're thinking. I am prompted to write by a story recently told by the journalist Lawrence O'Donnell on his show "The Last Word" about his mother. His mother miscarried a pregnancy and needed what was called a "D&C" to complete the job of nature's miscarriage.
Childersburg council passes $5.7 million budget

Oct 21, 2024 | annistonstar.com | Tom Roberts

The Childersburg City Council approved a $5.7 million budget for the new fiscal year, including a pay raise and an increased health insurance contribution. The budget resolution was unanimously approved on a Tuesday night earlier this month. It includes $5,797,150 in projected revenues, $5,765,867 in expenses, and a surplus of $31,283 at the end of the year.