American Catholicism
Catholic Church lobbied for taxpayer funds, got $1.4B
By Reese Dunklin and Michael Rezendes — July 10, 2020
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used an unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with millions going to dioceses that have struggled financially because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups.
In a Bronx shelter, friars and homeless have weathered the coronavirus quarantine together
By Zoe Chevalier — June 16, 2020
BRONX, N.Y. (RNS) — 'It’s been a challenge for them and for us, but there is a feeling that we are all in this together,' said Father John-Mary, one of the friars.
At St. John Paul II shrine, Trump’s use of religion goes from bad to ugly
By Jacob Lupfer — June 2, 2020
(RNS) — Disciples’ deliberate manipulation of religious settings, themes and objects revealed Trumpworld’s cynical and shameless approach to faith.
Hispanic immigrant in line to lead US Catholic bishops
By David Crary — November 11, 2019
(AP) — Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, an immigrant from Mexico, is widely expected to win election as the first Hispanic president of the bishops' national conference.
New coalition seeks sainthood for five African-Americans
By Kirk Petersen — July 31, 2018
(RNS) — The five candidates all are in the early stages of the journey to sainthood.
Retired Cardinal McCarrick pulled from ministry after sex abuse claim deemed credible
By Jack Jenkins — June 20, 2018
(RNS) — A sexual abuse allegation made against a top retired U.S. Catholic cleric, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, has been deemed 'credible and substantiated' by church authorities, who ordered McCarrick to cease all public activities.
At Catholic bishops conference, a deeper embrace of Pope Francis — and relevancy
By Jack Jenkins — June 15, 2018
(RNS) — The spring meeting of Catholic bishops made headlines with their stern critique of the Trump administration's immigration policies, a political splash for a group that has struggled to remain relevant in the Trump era.
At Catholic bishops conference, a deeper embrace of Pope Francis
By Jack Jenkins — June 15, 2018
(RNS) — The spring meeting of Catholic bishops made headlines with their stern critique of the Trump administration's immigration policies, a political splash for a group that has struggled to remain relevant in the Trump era.
When Rihanna dressed as the pope
By Timothy OMalley — May 9, 2018
(RNS) — At this year’s Met Gala, New York’s biggest fashion night, the theme was 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.' For practicing Roman Catholics, the red carpet coverage was at once thrilling and troubling.
Bishop McElroy decries extremism on religious freedom, calls for solidarity in American politics
By Thomas Reese — November 16, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego criticized both extremes in the fight over religious freedom and called for public consensus based on solidarity to heal our nation in this hyper-partisan age.
Mark Shriver goes in search of Pope Francis, and gets more than he bargained for
By David Gibson — January 25, 2017
(RNS) A member of the nation’s most famous Catholic clan, Shriver talks about his new book on the pontiff, and how it changed him.
Pope Francis names 17 new cardinals, including 3 Americans
By David Gibson — October 9, 2016
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) Thirteen are under 80 years old and eligible to enter a conclave to choose his successor -- or become the next pope.
Francis’ visit to East Coast bypasses Catholic growth centers
By Kimberly Winston — September 18, 2015
OAKLAND, Calif. (RNS) Catholic churches on the West Coast are vibrant and very different -- but that's something the pope will not see on his East Coast-only visit.
Cardinal O’Malley repeats: Church needs to discipline bishops over sex abuse
By David Gibson — November 20, 2014
(RNS) But the Boston archbishop, one of Pope Francis' closest advisers, said the Vatican needs a system of accountability and must “avoid crowd-based condemnations.”
NY archdiocese, one of the world’s grandest, shrinks
By David Gibson — November 3, 2014
NEW YORK, N.Y. (RNS) The downsizing in New York is not unique: Dioceses across the Northeast and Midwest that were once the cradle of U.S. Catholicism are facing declining donations and participation in church life.
