Roman Catholic Church
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.
10 Roman Catholic priests arrested in protests in Congo
By Lauren Markoe — January 22, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The church brokered the agreement by which the country's authoritarian leader, President Joseph Kabila, was supposed to have stepped down more than a year ago.
Pope apologizes to abuse victims but defends Chilean bishop
By Nicole Winfield — January 22, 2018
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis apologized for insisting that victims of pedophile priests show 'proof' to be believed, saying he realized it was a 'slap in the face' to victims that he never intended.
After a century, the largest Catholic church in North America is complete
By Sharon Samber — December 8, 2017
(RNS) — The glass mosaic atop the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the final architectural element of the church, a shrine to Mary visited by nearly 1 million people a year.
What the Star Wars franchise can learn from the Roman Catholic Church
By Charles C. Camosy — September 22, 2017
(RNS) — With the number of expanded-universe texts multiplying, and even contradicting each other, the Star Wars franchise could learn a lesson or two about authority and canon rule-making.
Q&A: Rev. James Martin contemplates reaction to his book on LGBT Catholics
By Charles C. Camosy — September 13, 2017
(RNS) — 'What most LGBT Catholics want first is simply to feel at home in their parishes, and not be treated like dirt, which many of them are,' said the Rev. James Martin, author of a new book on the Roman Catholic Church and LGBT people.
First cathedral for Mother Teresa is consecrated in Kosovo
By Lauren Markoe — September 5, 2017
PRISTINA, Kosovo (RNS) — The consecration Tuesday (Sept. 5), which falls on the one-year anniversary of her canonization in Rome, was long-awaited by the small but active Catholic community in Kosovo.
Protestant churches embrace gluten-free bread for Communion as Vatican reaffirms ban
By Lauren Markoe — July 11, 2017
(RNS) — Gluten or no gluten — the difference is theological.
Pope adds fourth path to Roman Catholic sainthood
By Lauren Markoe — July 11, 2017
(Reuters) — The addition of the new path marks one of the most significant changes in centuries to the Roman Catholic Church's saint-making procedures.
On the Charlie Gard case, the Roman Catholic Church needs to be clear and prophetic
By Charles C. Camosy — July 5, 2017
(Crux) If Charlie had the right kind of mental capacities, he would not be being discarded in this way, writes Charlie Camosy.
French clerics’ stands on Le Pen populism range from resistance to reserve
By Tom Heneghan — May 4, 2017
PARIS (RNS) Protestant, Jewish and Muslim leaders — representing religious minorities in France — have come out against anti-immigrant candidate Marine Le Pen. The Roman Catholic Church remains officially neutral.
Pope Francis ranks third among Fortune’s ‘greatest leaders’
By Adelle M. Banks — March 23, 2017
(RNS) The magazine cited Francis’ work to balance the modern and traditional aspects of the Roman Catholic Church, and his push for a more inclusive church.
Philippines’ president-elect takes on Catholic Church over contraception
By Yonat Shimron — June 27, 2016
(RNS) The Filipino president elect paid men to undergo vasectomies while mayor of Davao.
Pan-Orthodox Council turns into cliffhanger over boycott threats
By Tom Heneghan — June 15, 2016
(RNS) The Russian Orthodox Church cast a pall over the planned June 20-26 meeting on the Greek island of Crete by calling for the session to be postponed.
