Aleja Hertzler-McCain
Aleja Hertzler-McCain is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Aleja Hertzler-McCain
Baltimore Catholic parish closures a ‘punch in the stomach’ with long-term impact
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 7, 2024
BALTIMORE (RNS) — Parish closures in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese are part of a nationwide trend of dioceses restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages.
Silicon Valley bishop, two Catholic AI experts weigh in on AI evangelization
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 6, 2024
(RNS) — Catholic leaders who have worked with the Vatican on AI say that a recent experiment from Catholic Answers illustrates the ways AI evangelization can go wrong.
Providence Catholic health care system to pay more than $200 million for unpaid wages
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 26, 2024
(RNS) — A jury awarded Providence hourly employees in Washington about $98 million in damages, but King County Superior Court Judge Averil Rothrock found that the violations were willful, doubling the total.
Why you might have heard Paul Simon’s ‘The Sound of Silence’ at Spanish Mass
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 23, 2024
(RNS) — ‘The Sound of Silence’ version of the ‘Our Father’ has been widespread throughout Latin America and U.S. Latino communities for the last few decades.
US Catholics more polarized than ever about still-popular Pope Francis, survey says
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 12, 2024
(RNS) — The Republican and Republican-leaning favorability rating represents a decline, creating the largest partisan gap in approval of Francis since his papacy began.
Dozens of Christians arrested after shutting down Senate lunch in protest of Gaza famine
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 9, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The protest, organized by Christians for a Free Palestine, followed a Communion service held on Capitol grounds.
Catholic bishops silent as Ascension hospital system shrinks maternity care
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 8, 2024
(RNS) — The bishops have urged more support for mothers and families, even as Ascension, one of the largest Catholic health care providers in the US, has been closing labor and delivery units at its hospitals.
Catholic parishes disproportionately closed in poor, Black and Latino neighborhoods
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — Priest shortages have played a significant role in the decisions to close parishes.
Katie Pruitt continues to probe life as a ‘recovering Catholic’ on new album
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Mantras,’ Pruitt’s sophomore album, explores the fraught nature of leaving one’s childhood religion.
On Good Friday, Guatemalan sawdust carpets bring together Maya community
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 30, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'The painstaking art of the creative work of the group Guate-Maya is a tremendous blessing every Good Friday,' the Rev. Emilio Biosca Agüero said.
More than 140 global Christian leaders call for Gaza cease-fire in Holy Week letter
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 26, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We repent of the ways we have not stood alongside our Palestinian siblings in faithful witness in the midst of their grief, agony, and sorrow,’ the leaders wrote.
Threats to Catholic Charities staffers increase amid far-right anti-migrant campaign
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain and Jack Jenkins — March 22, 2024
(RNS) — Catholic Charities locations have become the target of far-right media personalities, conspiracy theorists and even members of Congress.
New Catholic Spanish language record label seeks to catch up to Christian industry
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 19, 2024
(RNS) — Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to 'go out,' Juan Delgado and Pedro Rubalcava launched Via Cantus in February 2023.
Texas judge temporarily blocks attempt to shut down Annunciation House
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — Ken Paxton attempted to ‘run roughshod over Annunciation House, without regard to due process or fair play,’ Francisco Dominguez, a state court judge, wrote in Monday’s ruling.
Church Militant plans to cease publication in April
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — The troubled far-right Catholic outlet's fate was announced by a law firm representing a priest who had sued Church Militant for defamation.
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