Catholicism
Ukraine’s Catholic bishops tell pope that his praise for Russia’s imperial past ‘pained’ Ukrainians
By Nicole Winfield — September 7, 2023
ROME (AP) — While thanking Pope Francis for his prayers, Ukraine’s Greek Catholic bishops said certain statements and gestures from the pope and the Vatican “are painful and difficult for the Ukrainian people, who are currently bleeding in the struggle for their dignity and independence."
The Catholic Church defended human rights during Chile’s dictatorship. An archive tells the story
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — September 7, 2023
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — The protection that Chilean Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez provided for Augusto Pinochet's victims had no precedent in Latin America.
Pope Francis chides his American critics — but who is he talking about?
By Jack Jenkins — September 5, 2023
(RNS) — When it comes to the pope’s right-wing critics here in the U.S., he has a broad spectrum to choose from.
Giving is up at churches and people are back, but clergy are still thinking about quitting
By Bob Smietana — September 5, 2023
(RNS) — While life at local congregations has returned mostly to normal, the future remains uncertain.
The synod’s priorities are communion, participation, mission — not who can be priests
By Thomas Reese — September 5, 2023
(RNS) — If we continued as usual with just different people in charge, then we missed the revolution Pope Francis is calling for.
Francis calls relations with China ‘respectful’ after Mongolia trip
By Claire Giangravé — September 4, 2023
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (RNS) — Pope Francis told reporters during a news conference Monday that China must not think the Vatican represents a foreign power.
Pope Francis closes his visit to Mongolia with visit to shelter for women, homeless
By Claire Giangravé — September 3, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We create a home, not a house,’ said Brother Andrew Tran, the director of the House of Mercy, before the pope visited the shelter for the unhoused and for victims of domestic violence.
‘Hope is possible.’ Pope Francis joins religious leaders in Mongolia to promote harmony
By Claire Giangravé — September 3, 2023
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (RNS) — Pope Francis’ message for religious dialogue and freedom in Mongolia takes place as the neighboring Chinese government cracks down on faith groups.
In Mongolia, Pope Francis makes appeals for peace and the environment
By Claire Giangravé — September 2, 2023
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (RNS) — In a speech to government officials, Francis praised Mongolians' 'native wisdom' when it comes to protecting their land and appealed to Russia's neighbors that 'the dark clouds of war be dispelled.'
Clergy dish up meatball sundaes, pickle ice pops and a little faith at the Minnesota State Fair
By Giovanna Dell'orto — September 1, 2023
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — As the sun rose on an unusually steamy opening day of the Minnesota State Fair, Jeff Knott and his two daughters joined the already long breakfast line outside the Hamline Church Dining Hall. The Lutheran family, at the fair to show the teen girls’ pigs Billy and Lil’ Red, favor […]
China bars Chinese bishops from traveling to see pope in Mongolia
By Claire Giangravé — September 1, 2023
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (RNS) — The decision by Beijing is the latest sign of tension in the already strained relations between China and the Holy See.
Catholic educators need to take a lesson from public school battles
By Charles C. Camosy — August 31, 2023
(RNS) — The ‘wokeism’ crisis in public education is a historic opportunity for Catholic schools.
Ex-Catholic Cardinal McCarrick, age 93, found unfit to stand trial on teen sex abuse charges
By Steve Leblanc — August 31, 2023
DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — McCarrick, the ex-archbishop of Washington, D.C., was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after an internal Vatican investigation determined he sexually molested adults as well as children.
Alumni grieve for Jesuit-run university seized by Nicaraguan government that transformed their lives
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — August 30, 2023
MÉXICO CITY (AP) — Ortega’s government described the university as a “center of terrorism” and seized its property, buildings and bank accounts on August 16.
Pope says a revised environmental encyclical will be released Oct. 4, feast of St. Francis of Assisi
By Nicole Winfield — August 30, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Francis recently revealed he was writing a “second part” to the document “to address current problems.”
