Catholicism
As Maui rescue continues, families and faith leaders cling to hope but tackle reality of loss
By Bobby Caina Calvan, Giovanna Dell'orto, and Audrey Mcavoy — August 16, 2023
KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — Amid the gloom, faith leaders were focused on providing community and spiritual hope for congregants who lost homes and livelihoods. Some vowed to hold services on Sunday.
On global warming, yes, there is hope
By Thomas Reese — August 15, 2023
(RNS) — The good news is there are ways to reduce and eliminate the growth in global warming; the bad news is I am not sure we will implement them fast enough.
Ghana’s plans for a national cathedral are mired in controversy and delays − but also reflect religion’s strong role in the nation’s identity
By Nicolette Manglos-Weber — August 15, 2023
(The Conversation) — With modern borders drawn up by colonial powers, some African governments have turned to religion to try to forge national unity since independence.
In a new ‘Animal Liberation,’ Peter Singer consolidates advances in animal rights
By Charles C. Camosy — August 11, 2023
(RNS) — ‘A lot has happened in the past 33 years,’ said the ethicist about his update to his classic 1975 book.
Are white evangelical pastors at odds with their congregants? A new study says no.
By Yonat Shimron — August 9, 2023
(RNS) — A new study shows white evangelical clergy are as conservative, if not more so, as the people in their churches.
Judge rules that Southwest failed to follow his order in a flight attendant’s free-speech case
By David Koenig — August 9, 2023
DALLAS (AP) — In a blistering 29-page order, the judge said the airline acted as if its own policy limiting what employees can say is more important than a federal law protecting religious speech.
Pope Francis calls for AI ethics free from violence and discrimination
By Claire Giangravé — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — The World Day of Peace next Jan. 1 will be focused on ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace.’
Sinead O’Connor was a rock star and a Muslim. Why did obituaries miss this?
By Anna Piela — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — Obscuring O’Connor’s faith is a missed chance to fight Islamophobia.
Global warming is here and it is getting worse
By Thomas Reese — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — We are like frogs in a pot of water being slowly cooked as the temperature rises. We don’t have the sense to get out of the pot, let alone turn off the heat.
Atheist and agnostic fired for not attending company prayers win $50K in suit
By Yonat Shimron — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — The two workers declined to participate in a daily prayer circle as the company owner read from Scripture.
Pope announces World Youth Day to return to Asia in 2027, urges young people ‘not to be afraid’
By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 7, 2023
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — News that Seoul, South Korea would host World Youth Day in 2027 was a reflection of the continent's increasing importance to the Catholic Church, given the church is young and growing there, whereas it is withering in traditionally Christian lands in Europe.
Pope Francis’ ‘peace offensive’ in Ukraine puts dialogue over demonization
By Claire Giangravé — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — Keeping channels for dialogue open with the Kremlin, Pope Francis has bucked the Western world's refusal to take a mediated approach to ending the Ukraine war.
Pope gets an electrifying World Youth Day welcome and urges fighting for economic justice, climate
By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 4, 2023
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The pope, who was hospitalized twice this year, had said he hoped to be “rejuvenated” by his five-day trip to Portugal, and it appeared as if the sun-baked crowd delivered.
A feud between a patriarch and a militia leader adds to the woes of Iraqi Christians
By Abby Sewell and Salar Salim — August 4, 2023
IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — The shrinking religious minority that was also violently targeted by al-Qaida before the rise of IS has been rocked by yet another crisis in the form of a political showdown between two influential Christian figures.
Court affirms sex abuse conviction of ex-friar who worked at a Catholic school in Mississippi
By Associated Press — August 3, 2023
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Leflore County jurors in April 2022 found West guilty of one count of sexual battery and one count of gratification of lust.
