Roman Catholic Church
It’s time for our Catholic president to address the church’s sexual abuse scandal
By David Clohessy — May 13, 2021
(RNS) — Here are three steps President Biden can take to stop the suffering.
With new ministry of catechist, Pope Francis widens role for lay Catholics
By Claire Giangravé — May 11, 2021
(RNS) — The latest motu proprio signals a continued, albeit timid, effort to answer a growing demand for agency from rank-and-file Catholics.
German Catholics to bless gay unions despite Vatican ban
By Kirsten Grieshaber — May 10, 2021
BERLIN (AP) — Germany's Catholic progressives are offering same-sex blessings at services in about 100 churches this week in defiance of a recent Vatican pronouncement against them.
Attackers shoot Italian bishop-elect in his home in South Sudan
By Claire Giangravé and Fredrick Nzwili — April 27, 2021
(RNS) — Some have suggested that the attack may have been a warning for the Catholic Church to keep out of the political disputes in South Sudan.
Hans Kueng, dissident Catholic theologian, dies at 93
By Geir Moulson — April 6, 2021
BERLIN (AP) — Kueng was an influential voice for liberal Catholics and a prolific author, challenging Catholic doctrines on papal authority, birth control, divorce and other issues.
Hymns through masks: Christians mark another pandemic Easter
By Frances D'Emilio — April 5, 2021
VATICAN CITY (AP) — From vast Roman Catholic cathedrals to Protestant churches, worshippers followed regulations on the coronavirus.
Pope celebrates surprise Holy Thursday with ousted cardinal
By Nicole Winfield — April 2, 2021
(RNS) — "Such a gesture of paternity doesn't seem strange on a day like today, Holy Thursday," said a Vatican official, without confirming the story.
Fully vaccinated, Sister Jean gets her shot to return to March Madness
By Brian Roewe — March 17, 2021
(Global Sisters Report) — Sr. Jean Dolores Schmidt became the focus of a media frenzy when she accompanied Loyola University Chicago on their underdog run to the 2018 Final Four.
Belgian bishop lashes out at Vatican over gay unions decree
By Raf Casert — March 17, 2021
(RNS) — Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny wrote in an opinion piece Wednesday that he feels 'shame for my Church'.
Vatican excludes gay union blessing as God ‘can’t bless sin’
By Nicole Winfield — March 15, 2021
(AP) — Blessing a same-sex union could give the impression of a sort of sacramental equivalence to marriage, the article said. "This would be erroneous and misleading."
Chicago parish fiercely backs priest after sex abuse claims
By Sophia Tareen — March 15, 2021
CHICAGO (AP) — "Father Pfleger is our family," said St. Sabina parishioner Pam Bosley. "We are not going to stop. We need him back."
‘You are not alone!’ Pope makes final appeal to Iraqi Christian community
By Claire Giangravé — March 7, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — On his last full day in Iraq, Francis told Christians to forgive their oppressors, the better to put their energy toward restoring their country.
Vatican sex abuse trial exposes ‘unhealthy’ environment within youth seminary
By Claire Giangravé — February 24, 2021
(RNS) — Unprecedented and based on the child protection laws put in place by Pope Francis, the trial also underlines the often demeaning culture permeating Catholic institutions.
Anti-vax at the Vatican? You might lose your job
By Nicole Winfield — February 19, 2021
ROME (AP) — The pope's decree sparked heated debate, since its provisions go beyond the voluntary nature of COVID-19 vaccinations in Italy and much of the rest of the world.
Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid
By Reese Dunklin and Michael Rezendes — February 4, 2021
(AP) — Overall, the nation's nearly 200 dioceses, where bishops and cardinals govern, and other Catholic institutions received at least $3 billion.
