Mathew Schmalz
Mathew Schmalz is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Mathew Schmalz
What’s going on when the Virgin Mary appears and statues weep? The answers aren’t just about science or the supernatural
By Mathew Schmalz — May 1, 2023
(The Conversation) — Investigating supernatural claims is a delicate task for the church, and Catholic leaders rarely label them as authentic.
Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses? A religion scholar explains the history of the often misunderstood group
By Mathew Schmalz — April 5, 2023
(The Conversation) — Several members were killed March 9, 2023, in Germany. Many people hold stereotypes about Jehovah’s Witnesses but are unfamiliar with their beliefs.
Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy
By Mathew Schmalz — January 4, 2023
(The Conversation) — Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church at a crucial time and had to confront a growing sexual abuse scandal.
The Catholic Church is increasingly diverse – and so are its controversies
By Mathew Schmalz — September 26, 2022
(The Conversation) — The Catholic Church’s membership numbers are growing fastest outside Europe and the Americas, and Catholics’ priorities look very different across the world.
Controversy over Communion in the Catholic Church goes back some 2,000 years
By Mathew Schmalz — June 28, 2021
(The Conversation) — Biden is not the first public figure to whom the Catholic Church wants to deny Communion. Over the centuries, the Church has often come under criticism for either denying or giving Communion.
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