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At World Meeting of Families, Catholic leaders address sex abuse scandal, LGBT inclusion
By Christine A. Scheller — August 24, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — A range of challenges to family life in the 21st century — from poor communication and alienation to sexual misconduct and the treatment of LGBT persons — dominated conversation at the Catholic Church’s World Meeting of Families this week.
Buddhist nun shares art of eating mindfully
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — August 24, 2018
(RNS) — In her book, Thubten Chodron teaches the Five Contemplations, which are aimed at fostering mindful eating. They're short verses designed to inspire reflections.
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox women win partial victory in fight to run for office
By Yonat Shimron — August 24, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The demands for representation from a growing number of religious women come amid a seismic shift in Israeli ultra-Orthodox society in which more religious women are entering the professions.
Campaign pits theologian vs. born-again immigrant
By John Dyer — August 23, 2018
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (RNS) — The race for a seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives has become a battle between two outspoken Christian women who’ve carved out sharply different moral stances on hot-button issues.
In ‘gOD-Talk’ discussions, black millennials explore their faith, spirituality
By Adelle M. Banks — August 23, 2018
(RNS) — Black millennials on average are more religious than other millennials and less religious than other blacks, Pew researchers have found.
Denominations repent for Native American land grabs
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 22, 2018
(RNS) — Several Protestant denominations have repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, the idea laid out in a series of 15th-century papal bulls that justified appropriating native land. But what are they doing now to act on that?
Kenya’s Legio Maria sprouts believers in the shadow of the Catholic Church
By Tonny Onyulo — August 22, 2018
KISUMU, Kenya (RNS) – The group is often mistaken as being Catholic because it celebrates the main elements of the traditional Latin Mass. But its beliefs are anything but.
Catholics seek encouragement as World Meeting of Families opens in Dublin
By Christine A. Scheller — August 21, 2018
DUBLIN (RNS) — On the agenda of the triennial event, which began Tuesday (Aug. 21) and runs through Sunday, are workshops on topics ranging from domestic violence and migration to incarceration and personal technology.
A pocket watch turns back the clock on Jewish life aboard the Titanic
By Menachem Wecker — August 21, 2018
(RNS) — Sinai Kantor's watch, which goes on the auction block Saturday (Aug. 25), is a relic of the broader but little-known Jewish experiences aboard the British passenger liner that sank in 1912.
As wildfires rage, California town rallies for material, spiritual help
By Yonat Shimron — August 20, 2018
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Even if the fires are mostly contained, with about 1,600 structures, mostly homes, consumed, the community will rely on churches, parachurch organizations and individuals to lead the way.
Critics say pope’s comments are both ‘bold’ and ‘too little, too late’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 20, 2018
(RNS) — In his three-page letter, the pope pointed to clericalism as a root cause of the sex abuse scandal cover-up, which many Catholic watchers welcomed as a major shift.
#ChurchToo supporter Karen Swallow Prior builds bridges between the extremes
By Adelle M. Banks — August 20, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Inside and outside the classroom, the 53-year-old Maine native said her goal is to help all creatures great and small (she’s an animal rights activist too) improve their lives.
Pope on sex abuse: ‘We showed no care for the little ones’
By Nicole Winfield — August 20, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The pope's letter to Catholics around the world comes in response to new revelations in the United States of decades of misconduct by the Catholic Church.
Saudi Arabia prepares for the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage
By Yonat Shimron — August 18, 2018
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Over 2 million Muslims from abroad and inside the kingdom will be taking part in this year's hajj.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — August 18, 2018
This week’s gallery includes celebrations of the Assumption of Mary, preparations for Eid al-Adha and more.
