Catholicism
Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations
By Aniruddha Ghosal — April 10, 2024
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) —Vietnam described that appointment as a “historic moment,” underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy See’s ties with China.
New York Catholic Workers bring new growth with rooftop garden
By Fiona Murphy — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — Inspired by Pope Francis’ apostolic letter on ecology, a garden planned for the roof of the movement’s historic Maryhouse has attracted new attention to Dorothy Day’s Catholic service organization.
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.
New Vatican document combines modern transparency with eternal teaching
By Thomas Reese — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — Pope Francis summons all people to defend human dignity in every moment of human existence.
Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives
By David Crary — April 9, 2024
(AP) — The dismay was heightened because recent moves by Pope Francis had encouraged some trans Catholics to hope the church might become more accepting.
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.
New Vatican document condemns gender theory, surrogacy
By Claire Giangravé — April 8, 2024
(RNS) — The new document takes a step back from the opening toward LGBTQ Catholics ushered in by Pope Francis.
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.
Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit Catholic bishop who opposed war and promoted social justice, dies at 94
By Ed White — April 5, 2024
DETROIT (AP) — Gumbleton became a national religious figure in the 1960s when he was urged by activist priests to oppose the U.S. role in the Vietnam War.
Kenya court sentences priest convicted of abuse to preach on sexual crimes
By Fredrick Nzwili — April 5, 2024
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The sentence requiring a priest to preach monthly about the country’s sexual crimes law has ignited a debate about whether courts should be able to dictate the contents of a sermon.
Photographer Stephen Wilkes’ Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s
By Jim McDermott — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — An exhibition of the photographer's Day and Night view of the Vatican on Easter, one in a series of Wilkes' epic shots of religion festivals, vaults the day into an almost cosmological framework.
Peru archbishop who sued 2 journalists over reports on abuses, financial corruption resigns early
By Franklin BriceÑo and Nicole Winfield — April 4, 2024
ROME (AP) —The Vatican has had its eye on religious movement Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, which has chapters across South America and the U.S., for over a decade.
Pope shows off rosary of slain Ukrainian soldier, denounces ‘madness of war’
By Associated Press — April 4, 2024
ROME (AP) — Praying for the families of the seven World Central Kitchen workers killed, he called for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza's people and for all efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading.
Spiritual libertarianism swatted down in Wisconsin
By Mark Silk — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — Conservative legal groups are trying to erase a distinction between religious employers and religious activity.
The strange world of Catholic ‘integralism’ — and Christian nationalism
By Jack Jenkins — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — ‘There’s the sense that the liberal order is so corrupt that elite Catholics have to find positions of influence and use them in a kind of noble and appropriate way,’ said Kevin Vallier.
