Catholicism
To remake church power in Francis’ vision, synod calls for changes to canon law
By Claire Giangravé — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — Canon law already allows for the participation of lay Catholics, but the role of bishops — and even the pope — might require revisions to the code that runs the church.
US bishops fumble the ball on global warming and synodality
By Thomas Reese — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — One can only wonder how different the bishops' meeting would have been if they had consulted in a synodal fashion with the laity.
UK archaeologists use metal-detecting hobbyists’ finds to study medieval faith
By David I. Klein — November 16, 2023
(RNS) — Archaeologists hope to capitalize on a local fad for metal detecting to examine pilgrimage and personal piety in areas where the written record is thin.
Lawyers for religious leaders challenging Missouri abortion ban say law imposes beliefs on everyone
By Jim Salter — November 16, 2023
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The lawsuit was filed in January on behalf of 13 Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist leaders who support abortion rights.
Nicaragua’s exiled clergy and faithful in Miami keep up struggle for human rights at Mass
By Giovanna Dell'orto — November 16, 2023
MIAMI (AP) — For Nicaguaran worshippers who have fled or been exiled, the Sunday afternoon Mass is a means of pushing back against the regime’s violent suppression of critics.
In new political document, Catholic bishops emphasize abortion over climate change
By Jack Jenkins — November 15, 2023
BALTIMORE (RNS) — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops convened this week for an annual gathering that was, overall, more subdued than in recent years.
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
