(RNS) — In the appointment of a new archbishop for Philadelphia, the U.S. church has traded a longtime conservative intellectual leader for a pastoral bishop who is most comfortable being with his people.
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — On his flight back from a weeklong trip to Africa, Pope Francis answered critics of his papacy, saying that although he hopes for dialogue he’s not afraid of a schism.
(RNS) — The appointment of women to the congregation is important because so far, progressive women have not been pleased with the pope's handling of women’s issues.
LONDON (RNS) — This spring, a half-century after the Vatican's first conference on unbelief, scholars will again gather in Rome to discuss research on the nature of non-religion.
(RNS) — Saying that the Catholic church did not protect children is wrong. We should not blame the the people of God for the sins of the hierarchy.
(The Conversation) — Pope Francis has expressed sympathy with the victims of clergy sex abuse, but an important reason for crisis is the church’s Code of Canon law, which the pope alone can change.
(RNS) — Ecumenism did so much during the last century to heal the divisions among Christians. (COMMENTARY)
Over its 2,000-year history, the Catholic liturgy has constantly changed in response to new situations and cultures. Like the software we all use, it must continue to be updated and adjusted to the people and cultures of today.
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — It’s not every day that Pope Francis chooses to invoke the full weight of his office. But when it comes to the furious internal rows over Catholic worship, he’s decided enough is enough.
(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.
ROME (RNS) A passionate manifesto signed on Nov. 16, 1965, on an altar in the Roman catacombs pledged bishops to live simply to be close to the poor. Known as the Pact of the Catacombs, it was supposed to represent a new chapter in church history but instead became a footnote -- until the election of Pope Francis.
(RNS) On two issues, Francis himself may have provided some answers during this visit.
(RNS) If one religion can go from seeing another as contemptible and condemnable, to one that is respected and beloved, it can surely serve as a model for humanity at large.
(RNS) Pope Francis has beatified his controversial predecessor, Paul VI, whom he hails for groundbreaking reforms that are often overlooked. But can Francis succeed where Paul fell short?
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI made reconciliation with traditionalist Catholics a top priority, but was roundly criticized when one of the rehabilitated bishops turned out to be a vocal Holocaust denier.
