Catholic
Mexican-born bishop chosen to soon lead the Diocese of San Bernardino
By Alejandra Molina — December 2, 2019
SAN BERNARDINO (RNS) — Bishop Alberto Rojas is slated to lead the Diocese of San Bernardino — the nation’s fifth-largest Roman Catholic Diocese — as Bishop Gerald Barnes prepares for retirement.
Pope Francis urges Japanese to address suicide, depression in Tokyo speech
By Claire Giangravé — November 23, 2019
TOKYO (RNS) — Francis also urged the country's bishops to cater to young people in particular, as they are the most prone to suicide and “thirsting for compassion."
My friendship with Peter Singer 10 years on
By Charles C. Camosy — November 21, 2019
(RNS) — As Peter Singer's influential 2009 book 'The Life You Can Save,' is reissued in a 10th anniversary edition, our Catholic ethicist reviews his unlikely friendship with the champion of abortion rights.
Teen girl says her Catholic high school disciplined her for being gay
By Alejandra Molina — November 11, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A Los Angeles County Catholic high school has made headlines after a teenage girl told BuzzFeed News that school administrators forced her into counseling for being gay.
Study finds US Latinos are no longer majority-Catholic. Here are some reasons why.
By Alejandra Molina — November 8, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — In 2018-19, 47% of Latinos identified as Catholic. That’s down from 57% a decade ago, according to a new Pew Research Center report.
Pope criticizes cultural discrimination in new book of interviews from Amazon synod
By Claire Giangravé — November 5, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In an interview book published Tuesday, Pope Francis discusses his vision for a missionary church and criticizes groups that discriminate against other cultures and view them as unworthy of receiving the gospel.
Pope Francis: This Halloween, take time to reflect on the ‘three deaths’
By Claire Giangravé — November 1, 2019
RNS — 'A culture that forgets death begins to die within,' Pope Francis told a group of young people on Halloween. 'He who forgets death has already begun to die.'
Newman poised to be ‘saint of friendship’ in today’s polarized church
By Claire Giangravé — October 11, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) —– Newman's conversion to Catholicism at a time when he was already a prominent Anglican priest was controversial, but his promoters believe he could bring divided Christians together.
2/3 of Amazon bishops support married priests, says Brazil bishop
By Claire Giangravé — October 9, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — According to one Brazilian bishop attending the Vatican summit on the Amazon region, a majority of Brazilian bishops are in favor of allowing the ordination of married men to the priesthood.
Christians urge California governor to veto bill for abortion pill access at colleges
By Alejandra Molina — October 8, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — If signed into law, the 'College Student Right to Access Act,' or SB 24, would take effect in January 2023. Newsom has until Sunday to make a decision.
It took 12 years, but this Coachella community is getting a new church
By Alejandra Molina — October 2, 2019
COACHELLA, Calif. (RNS) — Parishioners of Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in the city of Coachella will soon see their offerings materialize into a new church that will accommodate 1,200 people.
Nuns hope to be disciples of hope in changing landscape of human trafficking
By Claire Giangravé — September 25, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A group of religious sisters is meeting with Pope Francis this week in Rome to address the issue of human trafficking, linking the rise of victims to populist movements, increased immigration and climate refugees.
To save the planet, we need faith, ethics, science and economics
By Thomas Reese — September 25, 2019
(RNS) — Responding to climate change requires a moral vision that puts the poor and future generations on an equal footing with ourselves.
Gathering of German bishops tests Pope Francis’ efforts for decentralization
By Claire Giangravé — September 17, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Following an attempt by the Vatican to exercise control over its upcoming and reform-driven gathering, the Catholic Church in Germany has made it clear that it has no intention of backing down, proving to be yet another wedge in the internal church wars that have plagued Pope Francis' six-year papacy.
At Mass for immigrants, Los Angeles archbishop calls for prayer for reform
By Alejandra Molina — September 7, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Speaking in English and Spanish to hundreds gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Archbishop José H. Gomez challenged the crowd to talk to those 'who disagree with us' and to 'see things through their eyes.'
