World

As COVID-19 rages in Brazil, sisters in the Amazon fight hunger and isolation
Distributing food and aiding those afflicted by unemployment, hunger and despair, the religious women working in Brazil’s Amazonas state have been a driving force in coping with the pandemic.

Pope Francis dismisses ‘heresy’ charges for his commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue

‘You are not alone!’ Pope makes final appeal to Iraqi Christian community

At ancient city of Ur, Pope Francis makes heartfelt appeal for fraternity of faiths
(RNS) — Earlier on Saturday, Pope Francis had a historic meeting with the Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, the Iraqi Shiite leader.

As genocide designation becomes a political football, Uyghur activists push for action
(RNS) — Advocates for the Uyghurs say they expect the Biden administration to proceed on the understanding that China’s actions amount to genocide.

On first day in Iraq, Pope Francis pays tribute to Christian martyrs
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Visiting the Assyrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, Francis rallied Iraqis in the face of the challenges of the pandemic and the ravages of war and terrorism over the past two decades.

How Catholicism became a breeding ground for conspiracy theories
(RNS) — A perfect storm of institutional crises, the polarization of perceived winners and losers and an influx of evangelicals has made Catholicism fertile ground for conspiracy theories.

Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s foreign minister said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis’ ‘message of peace and tolerance’ and described the visit as a historic meeting between the ‘minaret and the bells.’

‘The Witch of Kings Cross’ finds the woman behind the scandal
(RNS) — Norton is a figure who may offer a few lessons for society today, when radical personalities and movements abound.

Pope Francis’ encyclical now available in Russian thanks to Muslim translators
(RNS) — It is not uncommon for papal encyclicals to be translated into multiple languages, including Russian, but they are rarely recognized officially by the Vatican.

Catholic nun’s kneeling protest in Myanmar praised as ‘model for church leaders’
(RNS) — A Catholic nun kneeling in front of government troops in Myanmar became a symbol of democratic resistance after a military coup seized the country last month.

Israel’s high court broadens acceptance of non-Orthodox Jews, setting up political battle
(RNS) — The US Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly said in a statement that the ruling ‘was a very long time coming. Not swift justice, but sweet and righteous just the same.’

Vatican defends pope’s Iraq visit as ‘act of love’
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Despite safety concerns due to recent terrorist attacks and COVID-19, Francis’ historic visit will proceed with hopes of promoting peaceful coexistence in the struggling Middle Eastern nation.

What the mythical figure of Şahmeran in Turkey represents and why activists use it
(The Conversation) — At the center of recent protests over civil liberties and religious sensibilities in Turkey looms a half-woman, half-snake figure known as Şahmeran.

Bethany Christian Services to allow LGBTQ couples to adopt, foster children
(RNS) — The change lowers the temperature on a hot culture-war topic pitting faith-based adoption and foster care agencies and civil liberties groups against one another.