Catholic Church
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.
We have a story to tell: Indigenous scholars, activists speak up amid toppling of Serra statues
By Alejandra Molina — July 7, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As Californians once again reckon with their statues of Serra, Native people and Indigenous scholars say it’s time for their voices to be heard and their existence to be recognized.
Italian cardinal calls for better spiritual guidance for gays, lesbians
By Claire Giangravé — May 26, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Following in Pope Francis’ footsteps, an Italian archbishop invited Catholics to look at gays and lesbians ‘as God looks at them.’
Government of Nicaragua ‘irresponsible’ in handling the pandemic, bishop says
By Claire Giangravé — May 13, 2020
(RNS) — According to Bishop Silvio José Báez, the president of Nicaragua downplayed the risks tied to the COVID-19 disease and encouraged citizens to take part in public gatherings such as parades, marathons and festivals.
Canadian Catholic bishop funds research for a safe and efficient coronavirus vaccine
By Claire Giangravé — May 11, 2020
(RNS) — ‘May the search for COVID-19 solutions also be a moment of solidarity, of collaboration, and of growing together,’ said Archbishop J. Michael Miller of the archdiocese of Vancouver, Canada.
With caution and concern, Catholic Masses scheduled to resume in Italy
By Claire Giangravé — May 7, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — For the first time since March 9, when the Italian government enacted a nationwide lockdown to limit the spread of the pandemic, Catholic faithful will be able to attend Mass with priests in places of worship starting May 18.
Wartime Vatican archive shows how much Pius knew about the Holocaust, says researcher
By Tom Heneghan — April 27, 2020
PARIS (RNS) — German researchers found that the pope, who never directly criticized the Nazi slaughter of Jews, knew from his own sources about Berlin’s death campaign early on. But he kept it from the US government.
How social distancing may change the way we do church
By Thomas Reese — April 22, 2020
(RNS) — Given the average age and low number of Catholic priests, services that conform to social distancing will have to be led by laypersons, most of whom will be women.
Mexican American religious life will be preserved in UCLA archive collection
By Alejandra Molina — April 14, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — By acknowledging these nuances of religion, ‘you end up with a much more complex understanding of people,’ said Chon Noriega, director of the Chicano Studies Research Center.
Univision and Los Angeles Archdiocese partner to offer Mass on local TV channel
By Alejandra Molina — March 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Parishioners from the largest Catholic archdiocese in the country can now access Spanish-language Mass on local TV in the wake of the novel coronavirus that has led to the cancellation of public services.
Spirituality in a time of quarantine
By Thomas Reese — March 15, 2020
(RNS) — It is time to put the common good over our personal good; it is time to respect science not partisan spin masters; it is time to be our better selves.
A gift of photos from a papal coronation opens a path for Jewish-Catholic healing
By Yonat Shimron — March 13, 2020
CARY, N.C. (RNS) — Howard Shulman didn’t know it at the time, but his donation of the photographs came just as the Vatican was opening its archives into Pope Pius XII's wartime conduct.
Coronavirus is a physical and spiritual threat
By Thomas Reese — March 12, 2020
(RNS) — The saints of old risked their lives for those with the plague. We can at least do our civic duty.
Pope Francis punts on married priests
By Thomas Reese — February 13, 2020
(RNS) — Francis appears to have feared splitting the church over the question of celibacy.
Prophets are social critics not fortunetellers
By Thomas Reese — February 11, 2020
(RNS) — Attacking political and economic elites for not taking care of the poor, God's messengers challenge today's leaders and preachers who ignore their civic responsibilities.
