Catholicism

New cookbook celebrates the strong bond between Swiss Guards and popes
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A new book of recipes, The Vatican Christmas Cookbook, presents a collection of meals enjoyed by the Swiss Guards, who often dine with the pope.

Could Catholic moral theology light the way for a new GOP?
(RNS) — The party is realigning around a religious, multiethnic, working-class populism, and Catholic thought could provide an ideological foundation.

Chicago’s activist priest Rev. Michael Pfleger steps aside amid past child abuse allegation: Archdiocese
CHICAGO (RNS) — Pfleger is well known in the city for his activism, particularly against gun violence.

Ready to try an old approach to a New Year’s resolution? The story of Saint Ignatius may provide some guidance
(The Conversation) — Making and breaking New Year’s resolutions is a familiar and discouraging annual ritual for many people. The problem is most people set out with their resolutions without identifying a practical path for the journey.

RNS reporters on the big stories they expect to cover in 2021
(RNS) — How will America’s religious landscape recover from 2020 and who will lead faith issues in new directions in the new year?

2020, a good year for bad religion
(RNS) — After a year that was a superspreader event for bad religion, American faith must become a public-spirited, prophetic force once again.

Bill legalizing abortion passed in pope’s native Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina is the largest Latin American country to legalize abortion and the vote was being closely watched.

Top German Catholic bishop urges shift on women’s ordination, homosexuality
(RNS) — Limburg Bishop Georg Bätzing referred to ‘well-developed arguments in theology in favor of opening up the sacramental ministry to women as well.’

Faith leaders and religion influencers who died in 2020
(RNS) — Losses in the religion world included people known for their contributions to preaching, civil rights or music.

Pope Francis strips Vatican Secretariat of State of assets in reform move
(RNS) — While the Secretariat of State’s power will still be considerable, the new decree increases the power of other Vatican agencies.

Our best religion stories from a terrible year
(RNS) — The RNS stories that captured moments of resilience and perseverance, and even a few moments of celebration, in this dark time.

Pope proclaims year of families, offers advice to keep peace
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis doubled down on one of his papal priorities and urged renewed attention to his controversial 2016 document on family life.

Pope on Christmas: Vaccines for all; needy, vulnerable first
(AP) — With the world suffering an ecological and economic crises on top of the pandemic, Francis said, it is all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters.”

The creche brings home the Christmas story for these ‘mega’ collectors
(RNS) — For creche collectors, the Nativity scenes are both universal — something shared by all Christians — and deeply personal — reflecting their own cultures and even interests.

Why Christianity remains an in-person religion, even in a pandemic
(RNS) — The COVID-19 pandemic has been a reminder for many Christians that their worship is an in-person experience at its core.