social justice

Peace activist John Dear parts ways with the Jesuits

By David Gibson — January 8, 2014
(RNS) The Rev. John Dear has long been known as something of a Lone Ranger type in an order that is known for its powerful communal ethos and its strict vows of obedience.

Koch brothers’ donation to Catholic University stirs protests

By David Gibson — December 15, 2013
(RNS) Dozens of Catholic leaders are protesting the decision by Catholic University of America to accept a large donation from the foundation of Charles Koch, a billionaire industrialist who is an influential supporter of libertarian-style policies that critics say run counter to church teaching and to explicit declarations by Pope Francis.

10 things to expect from my ‘Faitheist’ column

By Chris Stedman — December 4, 2013
You may be asking yourself: What on earth is a ‘faitheist’? It’s been years since I first heard the term “faitheist”—a pejorative used by some atheists to describe other nontheists who seem too accommodating of religion. As an atheist and an interfaith activist, I decided that I liked the word enough to embrace it. I […]

Catholic bishops’ new president can help hierarchy pivot toward Pope Francis

By David Gibson — November 13, 2013
BALTIMORE (RNS) Archbishop Joseph Kurtz' wide-angle lens directly reflects Francis’ own approach. “One of the major challenges is what, really, our Holy Father has said over and over again: How can we warm hearts and heal wounds?”

Former charity head confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Vatican

By David Gibson — August 2, 2013
(RNS) The Senate has confirmed former Catholic Relief Services head Ken Hackett to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. Hackett replaces Miguel Diaz, a theologian, and he gives President Obama an experienced voice on social justice in Rome where a new pope, Francis, has made caring for the poor a priority.

St. Dorothy Day? Controversial, yes, but bishops push for canonization

By David Gibson — November 14, 2012

BALTIMORE (RNS) The Catholic bishops gathered at their annual meeting couldn’t agree on a statement on the economy, but with a unanimous voice vote on Tuesday they easily backed a measure to push sainthood for Dorothy Day, whose life and work were dedicated to championing the poor. By David Gibson

Catholic bishops fail to agree on statement on the economy

By David Gibson — November 13, 2012

BALTIMORE (RNS) A divided Catholic hierarchy on Tuesday (Nov. 13) failed to agree on a statement about the economy after a debate that revealed sharp differences over the kind of social justice issues that were once a hallmark of the bishops’ public profile. By David Gibson.

Nuns on the Bus meet Tea Party protests in Ohio

By David Gibson — October 16, 2012

(RNS) The "Nuns on the Bus" have been a consistently popular and effective faith-based tool for religious progressives this campaign season. But on Monday a group of demonstrators apparently organized by a local Tea Party affiliate met the nuns at a stop in Marietta, Ohio, and provided a far different welcome than the sisters usually receive.

 

Is the Catholic hierarchy moving toward the GOP?

By David Gibson — September 18, 2012

(RNS) A series of recent developments are renewing concerns that the Catholic bishops are tilting toward the Republican Party, with much of the attention focusing on comments by a leading prelate, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, who said he “certainly can’t vote for somebody who’s either pro-choice or pro-abortion.” By David Gibson.

Sister Simone Campbell, âÂ?Â?Nun from the Bus,âÂ?Â? calls GOP budget âÂ?Â?immoralâÂ?Â?

By David Gibson — September 6, 2012

(RNS) Sister Simone Campbell, who became a celebrity of sorts this summer when she led the “Nuns on the Bus” tour for social justice, challenged the GOP in a rousing speech to the Democratic convention that called the Romney-Ryan budget plan “immoral.” By David Gibson.

Sister Simone Campbell, ‘Nun from the Bus,’ rips Republicans at Democratic convention

By David Gibson — September 6, 2012

(RNS) Paul Ryan has been taking a lot of heat over the factual accuracy of claims he made in his prime time address at the Republican convention last week, but Wednesday night at the Democratic confab the GOP vice-presidential candidate – and practicing Catholic – was schooled by a popular nun on the moral shortcomings of his budget proposals.

 

Vatican showdown the latest chapter in Sister Pat Farrell’s dramatic life

By David Gibson — August 2, 2012

(RNS) Sister Pat Farrell is at the center of one of the biggest crises in the Catholic Church, representing the majority of U.S. nuns in their looming showdown with the Vatican. But this is hardly the most difficult or dramatic episode in her life. By David Gibson.

NAACP urges black churches to address AIDS epidemic

By Adelle M. Banks — July 12, 2012

(RNS) The NAACP has mounted a campaign calling on black churches to address HIV/AIDS after researchers learned these myths circulate among their pews and pulpits. By Adelle M. Banks.

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