Catholicism
Pope meets with wife and family of Julian Assange, who says pontiff ‘concerned’ by his suffering
By Rebecca Preciutti — July 3, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The visit came as Stella Assange has been seeking to drum up political support for her husband’s cause, including a visit to his native Australia last month.
Pope appoints bishop from his native Argentina to lead Vatican office that enforces church doctrine
By Frances D'emilio and Nicole Winfield — July 3, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Francis named Monsignor Victor Manuel Fernández, the archbishop of La Plata, Argentina, as the prefect, or chief, of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Vatican reports income boost in charitable fund, even as donations dip following financial scandals
By Nicole Winfield — July 3, 2023
(AP) — The Vatican on Friday reported that the pope's charitable fund, Peter's Pence, doubled its income in 2022 to more than $166 million, even as donations dipped slightly following years of scandal over financial mismanagement at the Holy See.
Catholics and Orthodox join forces for peace amid Russian and Ukrainian skeptics
By Claire Giangravé — June 30, 2023
(RNS) — Papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi met with political and religious representatives in Moscow, June 28-30.
Ex-Roman Catholic cardinal, now 92, is not competent to stand trial in sex abuse case, expert says
By Alanna Durkin Richer — June 30, 2023
BOSTON (AP) — Prosecutors this week disclosed the findings of their expert to the judge, who will ultimately rule on the once-powerful American prelate's ability to face charges that he abused the boy at a wedding reception at Wellesley College in 1974.
More than half a million left Germany’s Catholic Church last year as abuse scandal swirls
By Geir Moulson — June 29, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The departures left the number of Catholic Church members in Germany at nearly 20.94 million, just under a quarter of the population.
Gamer and programmer Carlo Acutis could be the right saint for Gen Z, new book argues
By Claire Giangravé — June 28, 2023
(RNS) — A kid who loved computers and died at 15 of leukemia can be an inspiration on how to live in the digital age, new book says.
Parliamentary inquest into ‘Vatican Girl’ mystery moves forward as pope acknowledges family’s pain
By Associated Press — June 28, 2023
ROME (AP) — Theories over the years have linked her disappearance at age 15 to everything from the plot to kill St. John Paul II, a financial scandal involving the Vatican bank and Rome’s criminal underworld.
German police search church properties in probe of Cologne archbishop over perjury allegations
By Kirsten Grieshaber — June 28, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The cardinal is under investigation on suspicion of having falsely testified to court about when he became aware of reports of clergy sexual abuse in the archdiocese.
Embattled Tennessee bishop resigns after priest complaints, abuse-related lawsuits
By Travis Loller and Nicole Winfield — June 27, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky, the Most Reverend Shelton Fabre, was named temporary administrator to run the diocese until a new bishop is installed.
As the election cycle cranks up, Christians need to call out white Christian nationalism
By Kelly Brown Douglas and Bryan N. Massingale — June 27, 2023
(RNS) — White and Black Christians need to truly partner with God in building a more just future for all.
The search for gender identity, say trans seekers, brought them closer to God
By Emma Ryan — June 27, 2023
(RNS) — As opposition to recognition for transgender Americans has become politicized, so have clashes between people with transgender identities and faith leaders. But it’s not always the case that faith and transgender don’t mix.
Pope’s peace envoy arrives in Moscow after the short-lived Wagner rebellion
By Nicole Winfield — June 27, 2023
ROME (AP) — It follows Zuppi's visit to Kyiv earlier this month, which the Vatican described as an initiative to try to find paths of peace.
Bishop Strickland subject to Vatican investigation
By Jack Jenkins — June 26, 2023
(RNS) — The investigation, known as an apostolic visitation, comes after years of controversy surrounding Strickland.
Pence calls for his 2024 rivals to back a 15-week federal abortion ban on eve of Dobbs anniversary
By Will Weissert and Michelle L. Price — June 26, 2023
WASHINGTON (AP) — The exhortation at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s annual conference amounted to a challenge for the GOP front-runner, Donald Trump.
