Msgr. Pope on "the Loss of Humor in a Very Serious Age"

"One of the more irritating and sadder characteristics of our times is that we seem to have lost our collective sense of humor. Our ability to laugh at ourselves appears to be gone, replaced by 'frowny-faced' political correctness; there are seemingly endless rules about what can be said about whom, when, where, and using what terminology. On college campuses, young people demand 'safe zones,' where nothing can be said that might cause them to feel 'unsafe.' In media circles, outrage is a commonly expressed reaction to what used to be called ordinary disagreements. 

"We are too easily hurt and take offense in these thin-skinned times. We like to think we are more enlightened and sensitive than our boorish forebears (we're allowed to scorn them because they're dead), but I suspect the problem is more rooted in pride. The capacity to laugh at ourselves is referred to as 'humor' and humor has the same root as 'humility.'"

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of humor in our lives (appropriately balanced) and on the importance of being able to laugh at ourselves.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: On the Loss of Humor in a Very Serious Age (30 OCT 17)