Catholic Church
Human cloning breakthrough prompts religious objections
By David Gibson — May 15, 2013
(RNS) News that scientists in Oregon had for the first time recovered stem cells from cloned human embryos prompted dire warnings from religious leaders who say the research crosses a bioethical red line and could lead to designer babies.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien leaves Scotland under Vatican pressure
By David Gibson — May 15, 2013
(RNS) The Vatican on Wednesday said that Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who resigned in February amid reports that he had made sexual advances to a number of priests, will do penance in an undisclosed location outside of his country.
Abuse watchdogs say bishops’ ‘failings’ hurt their credibility
By David Gibson — May 9, 2013
(RNS) Even as an annual review this week gave Catholic bishops high marks on sex abuse prevention policies, officials with the church's oversight agencies expressed serious concerns about “recent high-profile failings” in several dioceses.
Battle of the Beers: Paul Ryan v. Cardinal Dolan
By David Gibson — May 9, 2013
The Wisconsin congressman loves Miller Lite. His friend, the archbishop of New York, hates light beer. Can a bull be far behind?
Priest who heads top clergy treatment center accused of impropriety
By David Gibson — May 6, 2013
(RNS) The priest who headed a leading treatment center for clergy suffering from emotional, sexual and addiction problems has resigned in the wake of accusations that he misused funds in his home diocese and that he was engaged in an “inappropriate adult relationship.”
ANALYSIS: Will former Palin adviser help or hurt bishops’ media woes?
By David Gibson — April 29, 2013
NEW YORK (RNS) The nation's top Catholic bishop has said the hierarchy would benefit from hiring an “attractive, articulate, intelligent” laywoman to present their message because, as he put it, “In the public square, I hate to tell you, the days of fat, balding Irish bishops are over.”
Gay Catholic delivers 18,000 signatures to bishop asking to be reinstated
By David Gibson — April 11, 2013
(RNS) The gay man ousted from posts at his New York parish after a critic complained that he had married his partner delivered a petition with more than 18,000 signatures on Thursday to Bishop William Murphy asking to be reinstated.
ANALYSIS: Are Catholics shifting tone or substance on gay issues?
By David Gibson — April 2, 2013
(RNS) Catholic leaders appear to be adopting a more positive tone, if not policies, on gays and lesbians. But the new rhetoric may also be an acknowledgment of the huge shift in the court of public opinion, and maybe soon at the Supreme Court.
Wanted: CEO pope to clean up unholy mess at Vatican
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — March 12, 2013
(RNS) The Catholic Church needs a strong manager to govern Vatican bureaucratic chaos. Who are cardinals who could crack the whip?
What Pope Benedict XVI shares with his notorious namesake
By Daniel Burke — February 26, 2013
(RNS) The last Pope Benedict to resign, Benedict IX, was an infamous rake who sold the papacy. But like his 21st-century namesake, Benedict IX forces Catholics to mind the gap between the mortal man and the sacred papal office.
Did gays in the Vatican drive Benedict out?
By David Gibson — February 22, 2013
The latest speculation is that Benedict's resignation was prompted by the discovery of a gay "mafia" inside the Vatican. Not likely. Here's why. Paging Captain Renault...
Benedict XVI’s poll numbers can’t match John Paul II’s
By Lauren Markoe — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI never inspired the deep admiration enjoyed by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, but Americans – and Catholic Americans even more so – still look favorably upon the soon-to-be-former head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Analysis: Conservatives vent disappointment over Benedict’s papacy
By David Gibson — February 18, 2013
(RNS) When Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the surprising choice left conservative Catholics almost giddy with the prospect of total victory. Now with Benedict set to resign, the Catholic right is counting up the ways that Benedict failed them.
Who runs the Vatican after the pope steps down?
By Alessandro Speciale — February 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) As of 8 p.m. Thursday, the Vatican will go into "sede vacante'' mode -- a Latin expression that means that the seat of St. Peter is vacant. Here's what will happen and who rules the church during the "interregnum" between two popes.
Video: Global Journalist – What the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI means for the Catholic Church
By Sally Morrow — February 18, 2013
Video courtesy Global Journalist
