Roman Catholic Church
The Southern Baptist and Catholic sexual abuse crises, compared
By Mark Silk — May 25, 2022
(RNS) — Very different religious bodies, very similar disgrace.
The Catholic Church’s views on exorcism have changed – a religious studies scholar explains why
By Joseph P. Laycock — May 25, 2022
(The Conversation) — In the 1960s, the Catholic Church sought to downplay demonic possession, but its views since then have changed.
Brazil’s Catholic bishops raise their voices against mining on Indigenous land
By Eduardo Campos Lima — May 16, 2022
SAO PAULO (RNS) — The damage from mining projects goes beyond deforestation, the bishops say. The effects include death from disease and higher rates of murder and sexual assault.
Catholic cardinal, others arrested on Hong Kong security law
By Associated Press — May 11, 2022
HONG KONG (AP) — The arrests were apparently related to their roles as trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which provided legal aid to people who took part in 2019 pro-democracy protests that were quashed by security forces.
Pastor-led shelters bring schooling options to migrant kids
By Giovanna Dell'orto — April 26, 2022
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — Pastor-run shelters have partnered with educators to bus children to an alternative school that teaches everything from math to reading to dealing with emotions, or bringing in specially accredited teachers.
Future liability releases at center of Boy Scouts bankruptcy
By Randall Chase — April 13, 2022
(AP) — Plaintiffs' lawyers argued that the BSA’s current plan unfairly strips them of their rights to pursue abuse claims against Catholic church officials.
Lay Catholics fill the enthusiasm gap on Francis’ Synod on Synodality
By Renée Roden — February 18, 2022
(RNS) — The synod has seemingly failed to grab the attention of American Catholics. A few dedicated lay organizers are trying to change that.
When a priest gets a rite wrong
By Jeffrey Salkin — February 15, 2022
(RNS) — One little word can make a huge difference.
Report on sexual abuse in German diocese faults retired pope
By Geir Moulson — January 20, 2022
BERLIN (AP) — A long-awaited report on sexual abuse in Germany's Munich Archdiocese on Thursday faulted retired Pope Benedict XVI's handling of four cases when he was archbishop in the 1970s and 1980s.
As Pope Francis’ critics vent their anger, what comes out is vaccine disinformation
By Phyllis Zagano — January 14, 2022
(RNS) — The number of Catholics alike ignoring church teachings demonstrates a large leak in the barque of Peter.
Kin of dead sex abuse victim sue under new California law
By Brian Melley — January 12, 2022
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After decades of dealing with the boyhood trauma of being molested by a priest, Jim Bartko sued the Roman Catholic church two years ago. But the lawsuit was dismissed when he died four days after speaking publicly about it. A new law has now revived his case, allowing his estate to […]
US Catholic clergy shortage eased by recruits from Africa
By Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu — December 27, 2021
(AP) — As fewer American-born men and women enter seminaries and convents, U.S. dioceses and Catholic institutions have turned to international recruitment to fill their vacancies.
LA Archdiocese sues LAUSD, alleging it kept federal funds from Catholic schools
By Alejandra Molina — December 20, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A complaint filed Thursday (Dec. 16) claims that the district 'has openly and consistently acted to prevent federally funded services from reaching eligible, lower income (archdiocesan) students.'
Baltimore argues Catholic group’s rally could bring violence
By Michael Kunzelman — September 30, 2021
A conservative Roman Catholic media outlet seeking to stage a rally during a U.S. bishops’ meeting in Baltimore claims city officials canceled the event because they disapprove of its religious message. The city says the gathering poses a threat to public safety, claiming the fringe group cheered on rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol in […]
Pope recognizes errors as Mexico celebrates independence
By Mark Stevenson — September 28, 2021
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Pope Francis sent a message to Mexico bishops marking the occasion, saying it 'necessarily includes a process of purifying memory, that is, to recognize the very painful errors committed in the past.'
