Catholicism

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day? Getting to the heart of the American identity crisis

By Robert P. Jones — October 8, 2021

(RNS) — This belief in America as a divinely ordained white Christian nation — which has blessed so much brutality in our history — remains linked to denials of our past and support for political violence and anti-democratic sentiment in the present.

Survey: Despite partisan divides, pope retains high marks among US Catholics

By Jack Jenkins — October 7, 2021

(RNS) — Catholic Republicans are far more likely than Democrats of the faith to say the pope is ‘too liberal.'

Merkel meets pope and receives farewell tribute from Draghi

By Associated Press — October 7, 2021

Merkel herself has called this her farewell bilateral trip to Italy as chancellor, and her unusually long 45-minute papal audience and glowing tribute from Draghi indicated her Roman counterparts wanted to pay their respects, too.

Mary Lou Williams thought jazz had the power to heal. The Catholic Church agreed.

By Yonat Shimron — October 7, 2021

(RNS) — A popular biography of the legendary jazz pianist, composer and arranger gives a glimpse of how art can serve the pursuit of holiness.

Haiti’s diverse faiths bolster it against waves of tragedy

By Eric J. Lyman — October 6, 2021

(RNS) — ‘The most important thing in a disaster can be human contact,’ said the Rev. Clement Joseph, head of the state-founded Social Mission of the Haitian Churches and secretary-general for Religions for Peace-Haiti.

Two priests cleared of charges in Vatican sexual abuse trial

By Claire Giangravé — October 6, 2021

(RNS) — The school’s former rector and a former student were acquitted, but behavior that came to light during the trial prompted Pope Francis to move the seminary out of the Vatican.

Judges in Vatican financial trial order prosecutors to release evidence to defense

By Claire Giangravé — October 6, 2021

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The decision followed a forceful pushback on Tuesday from the team of lawyers representing 10 defendants, including the church's former third-highest-ranking prelate, Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

Celebrate Facebook’s outage? Many faith communities couldn’t talk at all.

By Paul Brandeis Raushenbush — October 5, 2021

(RNS) — Facebook has been a catalyst for religious communities that aren’t defined geographically.

Vatican megatrial stalls as judge considers request to start afresh

By Claire Giangravé — October 5, 2021

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The defense has ‘a right to obtain a copy’ of the evidence, said the president of the Vatican tribunal.

Nicaragua’s President Ortega calls bishops ‘terrorists’

By Associated Press — October 5, 2021

His regime has also accused civic groups, opposition leaders and media outlets of crimes like treason and money laundering.

Vatican poverty conference features activist William Barber, message from pope

By Jack Jenkins — October 4, 2021

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Barber is co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, a faith-led anti-poverty initiative.

Catholic, Protestant groups support commission on US Indian boarding school policy

By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 4, 2021

(RNS) — US Senator Elizabeth Warren and the co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus reintroduced the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act on Sept. 30, which many observed as a National Day of Remembrance for US Boarding Schools.

Lawmakers, pope ask Missouri governor to halt execution

By Jim Salter — October 4, 2021

In a letter last week, a representative for Pope Francis wrote that the pope “wishes to place before you the simple fact of Mr. Johnson’s humanity and the sacredness of all human life," referring to Ernest Johnson.

Pope Francis, faith leaders call for action ahead of COP26 climate summit

By Claire Giangravé — October 4, 2021

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis and global faith leaders joined forces on Monday at the Vatican in an interreligious appeal for urgent action for the environment.

Three Swiss Guards resign following Vatican vaccine mandate

By Claire Giangravé — October 4, 2021

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The vaccine requirement 'is a measure that is aligned with those of other armed forces in the world,' said the media spokesperson for the Swiss Guards.