Catholicism
The pope’s absolute power, and the problems it can cause, are on display in 2 Vatican trials
By Nicole Winfield — October 19, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — On Thursday, the Vatican’s long-running financial fraud, extortion and corruption trial resumes, with defense attorneys offering final arguments ahead of a verdict expected before the end of the year.
How the Catholic Church’s crash in Poland brought down the Law and Justice party
By Anna Piela — October 18, 2023
(RNS) — With an exodus of young people, the Polish church may be facing the ‘Irish scenario.’
Participants at Vatican synod divided on how to respond to war in the Holy Land
By Claire Giangravé — October 18, 2023
(RNS) — Those assembled for the discussions about the future of the Catholic Church have debated their responsibility to speak as a body about the crisis in the Mideast, but participants from Ukraine and Africa asked that conflicts in other countries also be addressed.
Vatican seeks to defuse tensions with Israel as it offers mediation in the Holy Land
By Claire Giangravé — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — The Israeli foreign minister asked for ‘an unequivocal and clear condemnation’ of Hamas by the Holy See.
Did Pope Francis just add to the church’s teaching on animals?
By Charles C. Camosy — October 12, 2023
(RNS) — The short answer: His 'Laudate Deum' gives us more hope, even if it lacks specifics.
New award honors Tim Keller and Sister Norma Pimentel for civic renewal
By Jack Jenkins — October 11, 2023
(RNS) — A new group plans to honor the Rev. Timothy Keller, an evangelical Christian theologian who died earlier this year, and Catholic nun Sister Norma Pimentel, known for her work with migrants.
Synod on Synodality finds its voice after Pope Francis enforces silence
By Claire Giangravé — October 11, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis said ‘the church is taking a break’ to turn its gaze inward.
It takes a Dominican to explain a Jesuit pope
By Thomas Reese — October 11, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Francis, the Jesuit pope, chose a Dominican, Timothy Radcliffe, to set the tone for his Synod on Synodality, which has been under attack by reactionaries in the church.
Catholic leaders voice sorrow, dismay after violent outbreak in Holy Land
By Claire Giangravé — October 9, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis, calling war 'always a defeat,' made an appeal for peace in Israel and Palestine.
In the pope’s homeland, more Argentines are seeking spiritual answers beyond the church
By Luis Andres Henao and Natacha Pisarenko — October 9, 2023
CAPILLA DEL MONTE, Argentina (AP) — More Argentines now seek spiritual answers beyond the church — in yoga, tarot, astrology and beliefs outside religion.
Vatican Synod on Synodality signals hope for women’s ordination advocates
By Claire Giangravé — October 6, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Dozens of women holding banners calling for female ordination marched to the Vatican on Friday.
Columbus Day celebrates an ongoing threat to American democracy
By Robert P. Jones — October 6, 2023
(RNS) — A federal holiday day at odds with our identity as a pluralistic democracy.
One nun’s mission to save souls, from death row to the Met opera
By Meagan Saliashvili — October 5, 2023
(RNS) — The story of a killer’s — and Sister Helen Prejean’s — redemption comes to New York.
Environmental faith groups laud Pope Francis’ new climate exhortation
By Jack Jenkins — October 5, 2023
(RNS) — ‘As this summer has shown, and as Laudate Deum emphasizes, we no longer have time to spare,’ Jose Aguto, executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, said in a statement.
Survey: US religious groups do not view climate change as a crisis
By Yonat Shimron — October 4, 2023
(RNS) — Among white evangelicals, the view that the Earth is in crisis actually dropped — from 13% in 2014 to 8% today.
