Cardinal’s sex abuse charges raise questions about pope’s record
By Josephine McKenna — June 30, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The allegations against one of his closest advisers and the architect of his economic and administrative reforms is not only embarrassing for Pope Francis but brings the church abuse scandal to his door.
Religious and indigenous leaders seek to save rainforests
By Josephine McKenna — June 19, 2017
ROME (RNS) Inspired by Pope Francis' 2015 "Laudato Si'" encyclical, clergy from Catholic, Protestant Jewish, Buddhist and other faiths joined indigenous leaders from Brazil, Peru, Indonesia, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to call for urgent action to protect the forests.
Pope Francis shakes up Vatican bioethics board
By Josephine McKenna — June 13, 2017
(RNS) While Francis has upheld church opposition to abortion, his choice of board members may reflect a desire for a less combative tone on the issue.
Cloistered nuns on Facebook: What’s not to like?
By Josephine McKenna — May 30, 2017
ROME (RNS) At a time when vocations to Catholic religious orders are falling, the nuns see their new approach as a means to promote their work and attract newcomers.
Vatican stargazers look for divine inspiration
By Josephine McKenna — May 24, 2017
(RNS) — 'The observatory exists to show the world that the Catholic Church supports science,' says Brother Guy Consolmagno, an astronomer from Detroit who is also the observatory’s director.
