Donald Wuerl
Cardinal Wuerl: Catholic Church moving from legalism to mercy
By David Gibson — October 27, 2015
ROME (RNS) “The frame of reference is now going to be: ‘What does the gospel really say here?’" said Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl in a Q&A summing up the momentous Vatican synod that just concluded.
Clash of the archbishops: Synod dispute between US senior churchmen goes public
By David Gibson — October 19, 2015
ROME (RNS) The American bishops taking part in a Vatican summit on family life stay at a huge seminary built on a hill overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica. But given the latest round of public sniping, it may not be big enough.
What Pope Francis can teach the US Catholic Church about Thomas Merton (COMMENTARY)
By Rose Marie Berger — September 25, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) It is time for the Catholic Church in America to restore Thomas Merton to his rightful place as an exemplar of Catholic faith.
As Francis arrives in DC, fans of all stripes welcome, watch and wait
By Adelle M. Banks — September 22, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) Before Pope Francis even landed, fans gathered at watch parties awaiting his arrival or declaring their support of some of his favorite issues.
Pope’s encyclical is call to conversation, not political directive, say bishops
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — June 18, 2015
(RNS) But politics aren't forgotten. Top Catholic leaders are briefing Congress and the White House on Pope Francis' moral frame of reference for confronting climate change.
Pope Francis diversifies his cardinals. But will they have clout where it counts?
By David Gibson — February 13, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “You see the function of cardinal, the position of a cardinal, is changing,” Cardinal-designate Berhaneyesus Souraphiel of Ethiopia said. “It's no more a big honorific task.”
Pope Francis sidelines — but probably can’t silence — conservative Cardinal Raymond Burke (ANALYSIS)
By Josephine McKenna — November 10, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The stunning demotion may remake Burke into St. Raymond the Martyr, the patron saint of Catholic conservatives.
Conservatives insist Vatican isn’t changing teaching on gays or divorced Catholics
By Josephine McKenna — October 14, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In what looked like strenuous damage control, the Vatican’s chief spokesman told a packed media conference Tuesday that this was a “working document, not a final document.”
Catholic bishops debate: Where does doctrine end and pastoral practice begin?
By David Gibson — October 9, 2014
(RNS) “We have to repeat the doctrine, but the pastoral practice is what we are talking about. That’s why we are having a synod," says Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl.
‘In Defense of Christians’ seeks to protect brethren from Egypt to Iraq
By Lauren Markoe — September 10, 2014
(RNS) "In Defense of Christians," a Washington-based group, wants to press the point that Christianity is endangered in the Middle East -- its birthplace -- and that its survival is in the interests of all nations.
Globe-trotting Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is almost 84, and working harder than ever
By David Gibson — June 16, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) When Pope Francis needs a savvy back channel operator, he often turns to retired Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. “Why don’t you ask McCarrick to go?” the cardinal says of the Vatican’s thinking. “He’s usually willing to do these crazy things.”
Christian leaders say Middle East Christians must not be forgotten
By Adelle M. Banks — May 7, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) “If history has any lesson to teach us about silence, it’s not a good one,” Cardinal Donald Wuerl said.
ANALYSIS: Pope Francis’ Vatican reforms may prompt curial pushback
By David Gibson — December 16, 2013
(RNS) In private conversations, Pope Francis often acknowledges that reforming the Vatican will be a difficult task opposed by powerful interests in the church. Developments on Monday (Dec. 16) showed the challenges from within.
ANALYSIS: Meet the 4 most influential US Catholic bishops
By David Gibson — November 14, 2013
(RNS) Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, making him the public face of the American hierarchy. But in quieter ways, four other churchmen may wield more influence where it counts: with Pope Francis.
Hollywood looks to the Bible for screenplay potential
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 23, 2013
(RNS) Nearly 10 years after the blockbuster success of Mel Gibson's “The Passion of the Christ,” which earned $611.9 million worldwide, studios are looking to the Good Book for good material.
