Catholicism
Spanish bishop rebukes priests who joked about wishing pope goes to heaven soon
By Associated Press — February 29, 2024
MADRID (AP) — Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo posted a statement on the archdiocese website Wednesday saying it rejected the comments and warned that it may take “corrective measures,” without elaborating.
Nuns in a time of nones: The winding path to today’s religious vocations
By Elizabeth E. Evans — February 29, 2024
(RNS) — From 2020 to 2022, more than 900 women and men entered religious life. They all took their own, sometimes circuitous routes to get there.
Catholic women working to change the church take inspiration from female saints
By Claire Giangravé — February 28, 2024
(RNS) — A network of leading female scholars and experts looking for ways to promote women’s standing in the church says the key is to embrace femininity.
The Alabama ruling on embryos claimed to be Christian. Christians aren’t so sure.
By Jack Jenkins — February 27, 2024
(RNS) — Theological opinions on IVF, let alone political ones, are difficult to ascertain and are far from universal across denominations.
‘Trinity’s Triumph’ film, written by New Jersey priest, humanizes Catholic clergy
By Kathryn Post — February 27, 2024
(RNS) — While reductive narratives depict priests as perfect heroes or evil villains, said writer and producer Stephen Fichter, truth is more complicated.
The Catholic Church needs married priests now
By Thomas Reese — February 26, 2024
(RNS) — At the Last Supper, Jesus said, 'Do this in memory of me.' He did not say, 'Be celibate.'
Anti-immigrant pastors may be drawing attention – but faith leaders, including some evangelicals, are central to the movement to protect migrant rights
By Brad Christerson, Robert Chao Romero, and Alexia Salvatierra — February 26, 2024
(The Conversation) — Religious beliefs can provide motivation, hope and endurance in the long and often discouraging task of mobilizing people for social change.
German bishops to head to Rome after Vatican demands they scrap a vote on contentious lay council
By Nicole Winfield and Geir Moulson — February 26, 2024
ROME (AP) — A regular meeting of the German Bishops’ Conference this week had been expected to vote on the statutes of a committee that would have prepared for the future council.
Mexican church officials have helped arrange a truce between 2 warring drug cartels
By Fabiola SÁnchez — February 26, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) —This is the latest in a series of attempts by bishops and priests to get cartels to talk to each other in hopes of reducing bloody turf battles.
Catholics rally around Annunciation House after lawsuit
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 23, 2024
RNS — 'Our church, our city and our country owe Annunciation House a deep debt of gratitude,' El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz wrote in a statement.
Backlash to trans activist’s St. Patrick’s funeral reveals deep fault lines
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Both Cecilia Gentili’s friends and family and Cardinal Timothy Dolan said they felt 'disrespect' from the other group.
Alabama’s ruling puts the rights of the vulnerable above convenience of the powerful
By Charles C. Camosy — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — We should do what's right for its own sake, not because it's the most convenient.
Belarus cracks down on clergy who supported protests of its authoritarian leader
By Yuras Karmanau — February 23, 2024
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — In the last three years, at least 74 clergy have been arrested, fined or deported, according to the Viasna human rights center, even before the new law took effect.
At National Cathedral, leaders of different parties, perspectives call for civility
By Adelle M. Banks — February 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spoke about their participation in the ‘Disagree Better’ project and noted their efforts to seek bipartisan solutions.
Retired Catholic bishop charged with sexual offenses in northwest Australia
By Rod Mcguirk — February 22, 2024
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A Vatican investigation into child sexual abuse allegations against Saunders began in 2022.