Roman Catholic Church
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.
Pope Francis tells Catholic journalists he has hope for ‘courageous’ US church
By Claire Giangravé — February 2, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The news media is plagued by four sins, the pope told reporters: disinformation, calumny, defamation and ‘coprophilia,’ by which he apparently meant love of scandal.
The Catholic Church’s moral reckoning on Jews and the Holocaust
By Ken Jacobson — January 26, 2021
(RNS) — The evolution of church teaching has been transformative in Christian (not just Catholic) attitudes toward Jews.
Priest accused of abetting alleged sex abuse ring is hired by diocesan charity
By Claire Giangravé — January 12, 2021
(RNS) — The mother of an alleged abuse victim claims the priest broke the confidence of the confessional to warn church officials of a coming investigation.
Making an American saint can take more than a miracle
By Joe Drape — December 10, 2020
(RNS) — The cause of a Catholic priest killed in the Korea conflict ticked most of the boxes, but his candidacy had to overcome two formidable obstacles.
In new book, Pope Francis addresses COVID-19 and politics, with an eye to the US
By Claire Giangravé — November 24, 2020
(RNS) — Francis uses the U.S. motto ‘E pluribus unum’ to support last summer’s protests as a people’s ‘united indignation.’
Vatican cardinal says ouster deprived him of possible papacy
By Nicole Winfield — November 19, 2020
ROME (AP) — Cardinal Becciu claims his ruined reputation has eliminated his chances of becoming pope and will undermine the legitimacy of any future papal election.
Vatican and China extend ‘experimental’ agreement on appointment of bishops
By Claire Giangravé — October 22, 2020
(RNS) — Vatican officials believe a long-term deal could improve the lives of Chinese Catholics, but critics say the negotiations have already prompted Pope Francis to remain silent on human rights abuses.
Amy Coney Barrett nomination fight leaves progressive Catholics feeling unseen
By Alejandra Molina — October 12, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — This week's Senate hearings may center Barrett's conservative faith, which is strongly anti-abortion and opposed to same-sex marriage, as ‘true Catholicism.’
Pope, in second TED talk, sides with science on climate change: ‘We have few years’
By Claire Giangravé — October 12, 2020
VATICAN (RNS) — In his talk, Francis continued a recent focus on economic and political systems as the driver of climate change and other ills facing humankind.
Cardinal Becciu denies accusations after being retired by Pope Francis
By Claire Giangravé — September 25, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The day after resigning, Cardinal Angelo Becciu defended himself from accusations that he had mismanaged funds, saying during an impromptu press conference that he remains a ‘faithful servant’ of the pope.
Former Catholic brother returned to face Mississippi charges
By Michael Rezendes — September 3, 2020
(AP) — Two men have accused Paul A. West, once a Franciscan Friar and fourth-grade teacher, of molesting them in Mississippi, Wisconsin and New York while they were elementary school students.
Magazine report is aimed at silencing nuns on sex abuse, says Vatican critic
By Claire Giangravé — August 5, 2020
(RNS) — ‘It’s a way to tell sisters that if they have press conferences, make their voices heard and denounce sexual abuse, (church authorities) will air all their dirty laundry,’ said Lucetta Scaraffia.
Yes, Catholic Church got billions in federal coronavirus aid — and thank goodness
By Charles C. Camosy — July 13, 2020
(RNS) — The AP's criticism of the Catholic Church's decision to apply for PPP loans misses the fact that many local Catholic organizations are staffed by essential workers.
In Togo, a Catholic nun fights COVID-19 for the sake of her AIDS patients
By Clément Girardot — June 19, 2020
(RNS) — ‘Here, people won’t die from COVID-19 but mostly from its consequences,’ said Sister Marie Stella Kouak, a Catholic nun whose AIDS relief program has seen costs rise as funding dries up.
