David Gibson: Sacred and Profane
Fetal tissue and Ben Carson’s abortion blind spot
By David Gibson — August 13, 2015
The Republican presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon acknowledges that he did research using tissue from aborted fetuses. He says that's OK, but anti-abortion ethicists disagree.
For abortion foes, it’s now more “SHOCK!” and less “Awwwww … ”
By David Gibson — August 7, 2015
(RNS) The release of a series of undercover Planned Parenthood videos has sparked a return to the anti-abortion strategy of using graphic language and images rather than gentler persuasion. But will it work?
How Pope Francis makes Bernie Sanders look as “Catholic” as John Boehner
By David Gibson — July 21, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) How will U.S. political leaders welcome Pope Francis when he makes his first visit to the U.S., and the nation’s capital? Part of the answer may have emerged when House Speaker John Boehner and Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared on “Face the Nation” earlier this month.
Did Pope Francis hint at rationale behind sainthood for Junipero Serra?
By David Gibson — July 10, 2015
Are Americans ready for a nuanced view of the Spanish missionary's history in California -- and his sanctity -- when Pope Francis arrives in the U.S. with the canonization of Serra on his agenda? The pontiff's remarks in Bolivia this week may provide an advance look at his rationale
Was Cardinal George open to a change on gay marriage?
By David Gibson — July 8, 2015
"I know that there is development in interpretation of events and of doctrine,” the late archbishop of Chicago wrote to a former confrere who left the priesthood to marry another man.
A Catholic priest’s viral Facebook post on gay marriage, and what it means
By David Gibson — June 29, 2015
Father Jim Martin lamented that "no issue brings out so much hatred from so many Catholics as homosexuality." Then the digital mob proved him right.
Syrian Archbishop: “We expect Christians in the West to help us. They do not”
By David Gibson — May 4, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) American Christians know so little about their fellow believers in the region, or even that such Christians exist, that Middle East church leaders like Aleppo Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart face an uphill battle.
Are American cardinals an endangered species?
By David Gibson — April 22, 2015
The U.S. church not only marks the passing of Cardinal Francis George this week, but also the 80th birthday of Cardinal Justin Rigali -- which means American representation in the College of Cardinals is significantly diminished, and at risk of declining further if Francis doesn't act.
How terrible is David Gibson, anyway?
By David Gibson — April 16, 2015
Maybe not quite as bad as Matthew Schmitz and others think, when you look at the facts. But we report, as they say -- you decide.
Pope Francis is confusing Rick Santorum
By David Gibson — January 21, 2015
“It’s sometimes very difficult to listen to the pope and some of the things he says off the cuff, and this is one of them," the potential 2016 Republican presidential contender said about the pontiff's caution against Catholics breeding "like rabbits."
Pope Francis’ mis-interpreters: Who’s punch-drunk now?
By David Gibson — January 18, 2015
Why everything you have read about the pope's remarks on the Paris attacks is wrong -- except for this ...
What Catholic conservatives need from the Synod — and Pope Francis
By David Gibson — October 14, 2014
A definitive statement by the synod and the pope that slams the door on the openings created by many bishops and cardinals. Hence the "freak out." Will they get it?
Vatican Synod at halfway mark: “The drama continues”
By David Gibson — October 13, 2014
A high-level Vatican summit of nearly 200 of the world's cardinal and bishops has released an interim report at the halfway point of their two-week meeting on how the Catholic Church can better meet the challenges of the modern family. Here's a look at what the participants and analysts are saying, in tweets:
Synod Day 5, in Tweets: Children of same-sex couples, birth control. No Nobel? No problem
By David Gibson — October 10, 2014
So Pope Francis didn't win the Nobel Peace Prize, but the Vatican is still making news as he watches his hierarchy hash out some hot-button topics. Here it is, in tweets:
Synod Day 4 in Tweets: Discussions heat up, two camps emerge
By David Gibson — October 9, 2014
Divorce and remarriage, deductive v. inductive theology, and passing references to birth control. Everything you need to know, in as much as 140 character bites can do it justice