Catholicism
Fired prelate appears near — but not at — bishops gathering
By Jack Jenkins — November 15, 2023
BALTIMORE (RNS) — ‘I’m a bishop without a diocese, which is a strange place to be. But that’s where I am,’ Strickland, the former bishop of Tyler, Texas, told reporters on Wednesday.
Bishop T.D. Jakes helps launch online hub to aid faith leaders with mental health tools
By Adelle M. Banks — November 15, 2023
(RNS) — Jakes introduced the ‘Faith and Mental Health Hub,’ a free online course that aims to define mental health, reduce stigma and encourage self-care activities.
‘Excuse me, Your Eminence, she has not finished speaking’
By Phyllis Zagano — November 15, 2023
(RNS) — Francis’ opening to women in church management is promising. Getting women into the sacristy is trickier.
Faith does not live by answers alone
By Jonathan Merritt — November 14, 2023
(RNS) — Christians should not fear the theological discernment of the Catholic Church’s synod.
The head of China’s state-backed Catholic church begins historic trip to Hong Kong
By Kanis Leung — November 14, 2023
HONG KONG (AP) — Experts said the invitation was a symbolic gesture that could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican.
An American Catholic bishop gets a deserved heave-ho from the pope
By Mark Silk — November 13, 2023
(RNS) — Even under Francis, there’s a limit to what prelates can say.
Pope Francis removes a leading US conservative critic as bishop of Tyler, Texas
By Nicole Winfield — November 11, 2023
ROME (AP) — Strickland, 65, has emerged as a leading critic of Francis, accusing him in a tweet earlier this year of “undermining the deposit of faith.”
Maine court hears arguments on removing time limits on child sex abuse lawsuits
By David Sharp — November 10, 2023
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine removed its time limits in 2000 to sue over childhood sexual abuse, but not retroactively, leaving survivors without recourse for older cases dating back decades.
As a DJ, village priest in Portugal cues up faith and electronic dance music for global youth
By Giovanna Dell'orto — November 10, 2023
LAÚNDOS, Portugal (AP) — “It’s very important to me to not only be the priest DJ, but be the shepherd of the community,” he said
Pope Francis to join other clergy at first ‘Faith Pavilion’ at climate summit
By Adelle M. Banks — November 9, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This demonstrates the significance of the interfaith movement in helping to tackle the climate emergency,’ said one faith leader about the pavilion.
Leaders of Berlin’s interfaith House of One manage Israeli-Palestinian tensions
By Tom Heneghan — November 9, 2023
(RNS) — As interfaith feelings are strained by the Mideast conflict, leaders of Berlin’s planned center for Abrahamic religions vow to keep their project on course.
Trans people can be baptized unless it causes scandal, says Vatican’s doctrine czar
By Claire Giangravé — November 8, 2023
(RNS) — Trans people can be baptized and act as godparents, according to a new document by the Vatican’s doctrinal office.
After global summit, Pope Francis injects synodality into Vatican theology
By Claire Giangravé — November 8, 2023
(RNS) — The pope called for a ‘popular theology’ that stems from the people and is in dialogue with the world.
In wake of Ohio abortion victory, some clergy rejoice, others mourn
By Kathryn Post — November 8, 2023
(RNS) — ‘The fight is well from over,’ said Catholics for Choice Ohio field organizer Nicole Morino, who mobilized Catholics in the state who support abortion rights ahead of the vote.
Congolese faith leaders step up efforts to promote dialogue among warring groups
By Tonny Onyulo — November 7, 2023
GOMA, Congo (RNS) — Church leaders are conducting weekly workshops to train traditional and church leadership in how to promote peace in their communities.