Catholic Church
Cardinal Dolan confesses: Charity dinner with Trump and Clinton was tough
By David Gibson — October 26, 2016
NEW YORK (RNS) But the archbishop defends the traditional candidates’ roast even as some critics say the glitzy benefit for Catholic charities has outlived its usefulness.
Jack Chick dressed hatred in theology
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 25, 2016
An evangelical cartoonist has died. His work was hardly the best that Christianity has to offer.
Pope gives up another indulgence: His summer palace
By Josephine McKenna — October 21, 2016
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (RNS) Without ever having spent a night there, the pope ordered Castel Gandolfo, where pontiffs have holidayed for nearly 400 years, be turned into a museum.
Trump draws boos at Catholic charity event
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 21, 2016
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton shared the stage at a charity dinner Thursday night, and while there were moments of civility between the two presidential candidates, at other times there seemed to be more hostility in the air than during the previous night's debate.
Vatican and China in final push for elusive deal on bishops
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 21, 2016
ROME/HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Representatives from the Vatican and China are expected to meet before the end of the month to finalize a deal on the ordination of bishops on the mainland.
Philadelphia Archbishop Chaput welcomes ‘smaller church’ of holier Catholics
By David Gibson — October 20, 2016
(RNS) The stark prognosis is part of a debate on whether Catholicism should be exclusive or inclusive, but Chaput also used this week's speech to slam Catholic Democrats like Joe Biden and Tim Kaine.
Vatican daily paper sees missed opportunity in Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize
By Josephine McKenna — October 14, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) An editorial in the daily, L’Osservatore Romano, praised Dylan for his 'very great talent' yet expressed doubt about whether the songwriter really deserved the same plaudits as contemporary literary writers.
The pope is not the only keeper of the keys in the Vatican
By Josephine McKenna — October 13, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Gianni Crea has 2,797 of them. And he and his team of official 'key keepers' use them to open 300 doors around the Vatican, and lock them again each night. Now if only he could find his house key.
Soccer legend Maradona credits Pope Francis for renewing his faith
By Josephine McKenna — October 11, 2016
ROME (RNS) The Argentine soccer legend is in Rome to play in an all-star match to benefit a charity set up by his countryman, who is now the pontiff.
Pope Francis’ cardinal choices bring surprises, especially for the US church
By David Gibson — October 10, 2016
(RNS) In giving red hats to U.S. churchmen for the first time, the pontiff passed over prelates favored by culture warriors of the right and chose more pastoral bishops. That's a big change.
Once-powerful Philippines church divided, subdued over drug killings
By guest — October 10, 2016
Priests are unsure how to take a stand against the thousands of killings in a war that has such overwhelming popular support.
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.
Martin Luther as history’s first tweeter? An ongoing legacy, 500 years later
By David Gibson — October 7, 2016
NEW YORK (RNS) A new exhibit features a rare copy of Luther's 95 Theses. But the lessons this history reveals are as contemporary as your Facebook feed.
New York archdiocese creates program to compensate sex abuse victims
By RNS staff — October 7, 2016
NEW YORK — The arbitration scheme, which was put into place by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, represents a novel approach to compensating victims of predator priests.
Pope, Anglican leader vow joint action on poverty and environment
By David Gibson — October 5, 2016
ROME (Reuters) The pledge at a vespers prayer service came despite challenges to greater unity posed by differences over women priests and gay marriage.
