Georgetown University

Melissa Rogers, Christianity Today’s Ted Olsen hope for common ground in divided US
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Author Melissa Rogers said ‘being opponents on one issue does not make us enemies; it makes us potential collaborators on something else.’

Reparations fund announced by Va. seminary with buildings constructed by slaves
(RNS) — ‘This is the Seminary recognizing that along with repentance for past sins, there is also a need for action,’ said Virginia Theological Seminary President Ian S. Markham.

History of slaves sold for Georgetown detailed in new genealogical website
(RNS) — The website includes a spreadsheet of 314 individuals whom genealogists have identified as being part of the group sold by the Jesuit priests.

Why I kept my questions for the Rev. James Martin to myself
(RNS) — After his talk, I hoped to ask Father Martin to say more about his pastoral recommendations for LGBT Catholics.

Bishop McElroy decries extremism on religious freedom, calls for solidarity in American politics
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego criticized both extremes in the fight over religious freedom and called for public consensus based on solidarity to heal our nation in this hyper-partisan age.

Notre Dame, contraception and a better conversation about sex
(RNS) — In a surprising reversal, Notre Dame decided last week that allowing its health insurer to provide free contraceptives to female students and workers does not, after all, impinge on its religious liberty. So how sincere was the legal argument to begin with?

Beyond Halloween: Witches, devils, trials and executions
(RNS) — As Halloween approaches, the Rev. David Collins, a Jesuit professor of history at Georgetown University, takes us back to a time in European history when witches were persecuted and executed by society.

US commission: Russia a major violator of religious freedom
WASHINGTON (RNS) A dissenting report criticizes the commission for failing to investigate Israel.

Georgetown University apologizes for role in slave trade
WASHINGTON (RNS) The day of remembrance, which includes a liturgy and the rededication of two buildings, came seven months after the university announced plans to mark its connections to the slave trade.

What’s US religion worth? $1.2 trillion, says one demographer
(RNS) It might seem folly to try to put a number on religion’s value to American society. But Brian Grim gave it a try.

Georgetown seeks to make amends for slavery history
WASHINGTON (RNS) Georgetown University officials said steps will include a ‘Mass of Reconciliation’ with the Jesuits and the Archdiocese of Washington and a memorial to slaves from whom the university benefited.

A creative approach to Georgetown’s sin of slavery
In a comment to one of the many blog posts about a controversy concerning Georgetown University’s past with slavery, we read: “I did not enslave anyone. I did not profit from slavery.” Such an abrupt dismissal of the moral issues is alienating, but the responder who added this comment hung around long enough to quicken […]

Cecile Richards gets a standing ovation at Georgetown amid protests
WASHINGTON (RNS) The media were not permitted inside, but students who heard her said she urged respect for those who think women should have choice in their reproductive decisions.

How Georgetown fosters a civil debate on abortion (COMMENTARY)
(RNS) I find the conservative critique that “Georgetown is not Catholic enough” to be weak and misinformed.

Washington cardinal rebukes Georgetown for inviting Planned Parenthood chief
(RNS) No authentically Catholic school should give a special platform to voices that promote abortion, he said.