Catholic Church
LGBT Catholics tell their stories in Philadelphia play
By Alex Jacobi — September 25, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) “Full of Grace: Journeys of LGBT Catholics” is a docudrama based on interviews with LGBT Catholics. It was staged in New York and has now come to Philadelphia in advance of the pope's visit.
As Cuba readies for Pope Francis’ visit, Catholicism thrives again
By Reuters — September 17, 2015
The church -- repressed for decades after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution -- now has more autonomy than any organization outside the Communist Party.
The quotable Pope Francis: He has a way with words
By Leslie Miller — September 16, 2015
With his simple, thoughtful and often pithy comments, Pope Francis is showing himself to be among the most quotable popes. Here's a sampling.
Pope Francis: ‘Jesus was popular and look how that turned out’
By David Gibson — September 14, 2015
(RNS) In two wide-ranging new interviews, the pontiff talks about the perils of popularity, his plans to welcome divorced and remarried Catholics, and his fear that the church has locked Jesus up like a prisoner.
Pope Francis will find the U.S. Catholic Church bleeding money
By Reuters — September 8, 2015
The financial woes and the destabilizing effect they could have on the church's social and educational work will be a constant backdrop to the pope's Sept 22-27 visit to Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
Atheist Castros praise Christian values, prepare for papal visit
By Reuters — September 7, 2015
Fidel and Raul Castro turned against the Church decades ago, now, in their old age, they have brought the Church in from the cold.
Why routine divorce is now inevitable, except…
By David P. Gushee — August 18, 2015
Why routine divorce is now inevitable except where religious countercultures work to build vibrant lifetime marriages.
Italian Catholic priest offers ‘baby bonus’ — with strings attached
By Rosie Scammell — August 11, 2015
ROME (RNS) “Our parish wants to give concrete help in this moment of crisis for families that ... accept the gift of a child!” the priest said.
Milwaukee archdiocese reaches $21 million settlement with abuse victims
By Reuters — August 4, 2015
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) The settlement will be filed as part of the church's plan to restructure in U.S. Bankruptcy Court more than four years after the archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Catholic Priest, now out as gay, says Catholic leadership is failing LGBT faithful
By Eliel Cruz — July 28, 2015
"We are beautiful people and we deserve to be spoken to with respect," says former Catholic priest Bill Dickinson.
Pope Francis’ US approval rates slump sharply, led by conservative dismay
By David Gibson — July 22, 2015
(RNS) Growing conservative disaffection with Pope Francis appears to be taking a toll on his once Teflon-grade popularity in the U.S.
Was Cardinal George open to a change on gay marriage?
By David Gibson — July 8, 2015
"I know that there is development in interpretation of events and of doctrine,” the late archbishop of Chicago wrote to a former confrere who left the priesthood to marry another man.
Why the Supreme Court’s gay marriage decision is not like legalizing abortion (ANALYSIS)
By David Gibson — July 2, 2015
(RNS) A favorite talking point among conservative opponents is that the gay marriage ruling is akin to the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. But there are several obstacles to that scenario. Here are six of them ...
Pope Francis will try to break out of ‘the bubble’ on his US trip, details show
By David Gibson — June 30, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis’ itinerary for his Sept. 22-27 U.S. visit shows how this “pope of the people” wants to avoid becoming a prisoner of the East Coast “power corridor” during his five days in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
Rome summit looks to improve church’s handling of child sexual abuse
By Rosie Scammell — June 25, 2015
ROME (RNS) As the Vatican continues to work on policies to combat clergy sex abuse, a leading pontifical university in Rome hosted a conference this week on how the Catholic Church can better address the current crisis and released details of a new diploma program on protecting children.
