Catholicism
The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023
By Claire Giangravé — December 27, 2023
(RNS) — Francis has continued to push for changes in the church, braving daunting opposition and several medical scares.
Faith leaders, influencers who died in 2023: Preachers, protesters, writers, singers
By Adelle M. Banks — December 26, 2023
(RNS) — We also bid farewell to some celebrities and influencers whose time on stages sometimes represented public faith or whose lives were strengthened by their personal faith.
In Bethlehem, quiet Christmas celebrations draw parallels to war’s victims
By Fiona André — December 22, 2023
(RNS) — In the West Bank and Gaza, Christians are searching for ways to celebrate a subdued Christmas, with festivities canceled for the first time since the First Intifada in 1988.
For LGBTQ Catholics, new declaration on blessings is welcome — but complicated
By Jack Jenkins — December 22, 2023
(RNS) — Some LGBTQ couples were blessed by Catholic priests before the Vatican declaration came down — whether or not the Vatican approved.
Vatican prosecutor appeals verdict that largely dismantled his fraud case but convicted cardinal
By Nicole Winfield — December 22, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi filed his appeal this week of the three-judge tribunal's decision in a complicated financial trial that aired the Vatican's dirty laundry and tested its peculiar legal system.
What Mary knew
By Brandon Ambrosino — December 21, 2023
(RNS) — The assumed certainty of the song ‘Mary, Did You Know’ is part of a trend that demystifies the Christian message.
Young organists pull out all the stops to inspire interest in a ‘complex’ instrument
By Adelle M. Banks — December 21, 2023
(RNS) — Young musicians have taken to the organ at a time when there has been a decline in the number of instruments and in the professionals who play them.
Activists hope pope’s approval of same-sex blessings could ease anti-LGBTQ+ bias and repression
By Nicole Winfield — December 21, 2023
ROME (AP) —The pope's decision to officially spell out his approval could send a message of tolerance to places where gay rights are far more restricted.
Come Monday, it’ll be all right, as we close another Advent season
By Lyn Pace — December 20, 2023
(RNS) — Jimmy Buffett’s early Catholic formation enabled him to use both head and heart in life and songwriting.
Historic Vatican sentence leaves questions about the power of the pontificate
By Claire Giangravé — December 20, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Don’t expect Vatican police to arrest Cardinal Angelo Becciu anytime soon.
Pope Francis’ approval of blessings for LGBTQ+ couples is a historic gesture, according to a Catholic theologian
By Steven P. Millies — December 20, 2023
(The Conversation) — In emphasizing the church’s love for all, including people in LGBTQ+ relationships, the pope has sidestepped thorny doctrinal issues.
US Catholic leadership foresees challenges after repeated election defeats for abortion opponents
By David Crary — December 20, 2023
(AP) — The latest rebuff came Nov. 7 in Ohio, when voters decisively approved a constitutional amendment that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care.
On same-sex blessings, some Catholics celebrate change while others point to limits
By Claire Giangravé — December 19, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican’s declaration allowing blessings for ‘irregular’ couples seems to have deepened an already strong divide between conservatives and progressives in the church.
The Vatican financial trial is finally over. What did we learn?
By Thomas Reese — December 19, 2023
(RNS) — The good news is the financial scandals became public and were not covered up by the Vatican as was the practice in the past.
100 years ago, the KKK planted bombs at a US university – part of the terror group’s crusade against American Catholics
By William Trollinger — December 19, 2023
(The Conversation) — Most of the Klan’s victims were African American, but many other groups have been targeted during the hate group’s century and a half of history.
