Roman Catholic Church
Cardinal Kasper is far from controversies for a change, and happily so
By David Gibson — January 3, 2019
ROME (RNS) — One of the most influential Catholic theologians, Cardinal Walter Kasper has in recent years been swept up in Pope Francis’ effort to make the Catholic Church more compassionate and inclusive.
2018 in review: A year of reckoning for powerful religious figures
By Bob Smietana — December 28, 2018
(RNS) — A year ago Bill Hybels was the pastor of one of the nation's most influential megachurches, Theodore McCarrick was a prince of the Catholic Church, and Michael Curry was the relatively unknown head of a mainline Protestant denomination.
Religious leaders in Congo urge the country to go to the polls to replace Kabila
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 19, 2018
(RNS) — Two years after the country's Roman Catholic bishops brokered a deal to delay elections, they are framing the vote as a chance to reclaim the country for justice and peace.
US Jesuit groups release names of priests accused of abuse
By Jack Jenkins — December 17, 2018
(RNS) — Advocates for the abused praised the move toward transparency but called it 'long overdue and prompted only by pressure from prosecutors, parishioners and the public.'
Dorothy Day — ‘a saint for our times’
By Sandra Yocum — December 5, 2018
(The Conversation) — Dorothy Day, who died 38 years ago this week, was able to discern beauty in the midst of her harsh and demanding life. In that, she has a lesson for the times we live in.
Pope says he’s worried about homosexuality in the priesthood
By Paul O'Donnell — December 1, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — In an interview that Francis gave about religious vocations, he was quoted as describing homosexuality within the walls of seminaries, convents and other religious places where clergy live as 'a very serious question.'
For former Pittsburgh prosecutor, the new inquiry into clergy abuse is personal
By Kevin Johnson — November 29, 2018
PITTSBURGH (USA Today) — David Hickton's suburban Catholic grade school, says the retired chief federal prosecutor for western Pennsylvania, "was ground zero of the clergy sexual abuse scandal."
How the Great War gave us the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
By Michael McKinley — November 12, 2018
(RNS) — The USCCB began as a war council gathered to present a patriotic Catholic face at a critical time for the US and American Catholics.
Vatican summit enters the home stretch. But where’s the finish line?
By Bob Smietana — October 22, 2018
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After a monthlong debate about how to engage young people, this Catholic synod may be hard put to forge consensus.
Accuser blasts pope silence, ‘slander’ over cover-up claims
By Nicole Winfield — September 28, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — In a new missive, Pope Francis' critic, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, subtly paints as the protector of the Catholic Church.
Seven states launch investigations in wake of Pennsylvania clergy sex abuse report
By Jack Jenkins — September 6, 2018
(RNS) — Law enforcement officials in at least seven states appear to be launching their own inquiries of their Catholic dioceses, focusing on church files thought to contain decades of allegations of child sex abuse by priests.
An open letter to my Roman Catholic friends
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 16, 2018
Roman Catholics have every reason to be outraged. I am outraged with you and for you, as well.
Ahead of abortion bill vote, Argentina’s Catholic Church moderates its tone
By Veronica Gimenez Beliveau — August 8, 2018
(The Conversation) — The Catholic Church’s response in the face of a groundswell of support from Argentine women seems to be a model for how it is responding to social issues worldwide.
Jewish group questions sainthood for WWII-era cardinal
By Paul O'Donnell — May 23, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A leading Jewish organization has criticized the Vatican's decision to move World War II-era Cardinal August Hlond along the path to possible sainthood, saying the Polish primate was 'extremely' hostile to Jews and failed to condemn a 1946 pogrom.
In Germany, Catholic Church grapples with blessings for gay marriage
By Tom Heneghan — January 23, 2018
(RNS) — Though presiding at a gay marriage remains out of the question, some church officials have suggested that priests should be allowed to bless gay unions.
