David Gibson
David Gibson is a national reporter for RNS and an award-winning religion journalist, author and filmmaker. He has written several books on Catholic topics. His latest book is on biblical artifacts: "Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery," which was also the basis of a popular CNN series.
All Stories by David Gibson
Priest who posted video with dead fetus on altar is defiant
By David Gibson — November 8, 2016
NEW YORK (RNS) The Rev. Frank Pavone said defeating Hillary Clinton to stop abortion is so important that his Facebook post was justified and not a sacrilege, as critics claim.
New Jersey meets its new, and first, Catholic cardinal
By David Gibson — November 7, 2016
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) Cardinal-designate Joseph Tobin spoke of the shocking and 'gut-wrenching' transfer from Indianapolis -- but also showed the new kind of pastor he will be.
Pope Francis gives N.J. its first cardinal – and ups the ante on church reform
By David Gibson — November 7, 2016
(RNS) By moving Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin to Newark the pontiff ignored protocol – and showed he’s serious about changing how the Catholic Church operates.
Is Augustine the patron saint of the 2016 election?
By David Gibson — November 3, 2016
(RNS) The great theologian died in 430 as barbarians beseiged his city. At the end of a gloomy presidential campaign, many believers can relate. But are they drawing the right lessons?
The Slingshot: Sabbath reimagined. ‘BLM’ stained glass. Mormon memes.
By David Gibson — November 3, 2016
(RNS) Amid a crazy election – and a Cubs championship! – reviving the Sabbath. Making black lives live in old stained glass windows. Funniest ‘Mormon Mafia’ tweets. And, of course, a Starbucks Christmas cup controversy.
Pope Francis’ short trip to Sweden a big step on a longer journey
By David Gibson — November 2, 2016
ROME (RNS) The pontiff wanted to use the anniversary of the Reformation to set ecumenism on a new path that stresses a shared witness. But will that convince a skeptical world?
False charges of ‘anti-Catholicism’ are anti-Catholic
By David Gibson — October 28, 2016
(RNS) Leaked emails aren't anti-Catholic and neither is Hillary Clinton. But spreading such charges goes against canon law, and is more about politics than the faith.
EXCERPTS: Pope Francis on ecumenism, secularism, terrorism and gossip
By David Gibson — October 28, 2016
(RNS) In a wide-ranging interview published on the eve of his visit to Sweden to mark the anniversary of the Reformation, the pontiff is as quotable as ever.
The Slingshot: Ancient Wikileaks. Haiti up close. Al Smith fallout.
By David Gibson — October 27, 2016
(RNS) A pilfered papyrus offers early clues to Judean kingdom. Our intrepid reporter with relief workers in dangerous Haiti. Cardinal Dolan dishes on the Al Smith dinner with Trump and Clinton. Plus: Funerals while you’re alive. Why?
Cardinal Dolan confesses: Charity dinner with Trump and Clinton was tough
By David Gibson — October 26, 2016
NEW YORK (RNS) But the archbishop defends the traditional candidates’ roast even as some critics say the glitzy benefit for Catholic charities has outlived its usefulness.
Baylor University faces US probe over response to sex assaults
By David Gibson — October 21, 2016
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) The world's largest Baptist university has been rocked by a scandal over sexual assaults against women by football players and others.
The Slingshot: Trump’s punchlines. Downsized Catholicism. Evangelical book battles.
By David Gibson — October 21, 2016
(RNS) The Republican nominee got booed at the Al Smith charity dinner. Archbishop Charles Chaput’s “smaller-but-purer” church. The evangelical mind, redux. And Sweden’s first religion-free cemetery.
Philadelphia Archbishop Chaput welcomes ‘smaller church’ of holier Catholics
By David Gibson — October 20, 2016
(RNS) The stark prognosis is part of a debate on whether Catholicism should be exclusive or inclusive, but Chaput also used this week's speech to slam Catholic Democrats like Joe Biden and Tim Kaine.
Is there a ‘Trump effect’ on public morality?
By David Gibson — October 19, 2016
(RNS) A new survey shows a profound shift in the public's acceptance of 'personal immorality' by elected officials, and the change is most dramatic among conservative Christians.
The Slingshot: Christians for Trump. Christians against Trump. Comic-book theology.
By David Gibson — October 13, 2016
Eric Metaxas stands by Trump, as does Mike Pence. Liberty students not so much. Evangelical women? Larycia Hawkins profile, new euthanasia frontier, and “Oilfield Prayer Day.” A new comic-book series asks: Where do we go when we die?
