Catholicism

Baltimore Catholic parish closures a ‘punch in the stomach’ with long-term impact

By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 7, 2024
BALTIMORE (RNS) — Parish closures in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese are part of a nationwide trend of dioceses restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages.
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Silicon Valley bishop, two Catholic AI experts weigh in on AI evangelization

By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — May 6, 2024
(RNS) — Catholic leaders who have worked with the Vatican on AI say that a recent experiment from Catholic Answers illustrates the ways AI evangelization can go wrong.

New crop of Swiss Guards prepares to serve the pope through hard work and listening

By Claire Giangravé — May 6, 2024
(RNS) — Swiss Guards may not have to go to battle for the pope, but they engage in spiritual war to help hopefuls coming to the Vatican.

‘A step back in time’: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways

By Tim Sullivan — May 6, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The shift, molded by plummeting church attendance, increasingly traditional priests and growing numbers of young Catholics searching for more orthodoxy, has reshaped parishes across the country.

Catholic Bishop joins cease-fire prayer vigil protesting weapons for Israel

By Jack Jenkins — May 3, 2024
(RNS) — Asked about student protests on college campuses, Bishop John Stowe said he appreciated their 'interest in the situation and their solidarity with the Palestinians' but stressed the need to act peacefully.

Priests prepare to bring synodality from the Vatican to parishes around the world

By Claire Giangravé — May 2, 2024
(RNS) — Even as some Catholics look at the synod with skepticism, others don’t know what it means or haven’t heard of it at all. Pope Francis is tasking parish priests with changing that.

Expanding clergy sexual abuse probe targets New Orleans Catholic church leaders

By Jim Mustian — May 2, 2024
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The warrant contained several new details about the sex-trafficking investigation, including claims that some victims were sexually assaulted in a seminary swimming pool after being ordered to “skinny dip."

Renewed hopes for ecumenical date for Easter could spell end to longest-running culture war

By Katherine Kelaidis — May 2, 2024
(RNS) — The ordering of time became a fight about the ecclesiastical implications of scientific discovery and societal change.

Catholic leaders, urging cease-fire, call on Biden to halt weapons shipments to Israel

By Jack Jenkins — May 2, 2024
(RNS) — ‘As U.S. Catholics, we recognize our country’s contribution to the present violence and to the ongoing systemic injustices in Israel-Palestine,’ the letter reads.

‘A step back in time’: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways

By Tim Sullivan — May 1, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Generations of Catholics who embraced the modernizing tide sparked in the 1960s by Vatican II are increasingly giving way to religious conservatives who believe the church has been twisted by change,

75 Christian leaders urge president, Congress, churches to act on racism, poverty

By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Issues related to racism are now being fiercely debated across the country, and many people of color are fearful that racism is getting worse,’ reads their statement.

Understanding America’s overlooked religious middle

By Robert P. Jones — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — The overlooked religious middle is poised to play an outsized role in the 2024 presidential contest.

Abducted retired Catholic bishop who mediated between cartels in Mexico is located, hospitalized

By Mark Stevenson — April 30, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The church leadership in Mexico said in a statement earlier that Msgr. Salvador Rangel, a bishop emeritus, disappeared on Saturday and called on his captors to release him.
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