Catholicism
International conference sheds light on the clerical abuse of disabled individuals
By Claire Giangravé — June 21, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Children with psychological or intellectual disabilities and people who are deaf, blind or autistic are up to five times more likely to suffer abuse.
Outspoken papal critic risks excommunication for inciting schism
By Claire Giangravé — June 20, 2024
(RNS) — Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has been publicly critical of Pope Francis.
Defendant in Vatican trial takes case to UN, accuses pope of violating his rights with surveillance
By Nicole Winfield — June 20, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer for Raffaele Mincione, a London-based financier, submitted a complaint last week to the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights via a special procedure that allows individuals or groups to provide the U.N. with information about alleged rights violations in countries or institutions.
Ascension Catholic hospitals outsource staffing to private-equity-owned partners
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — June 18, 2024
(RNS) — According to a letter Sen. Chuck Grassley sent Ascension, whistleblowers disclosed proposed changes to staffing with SCP Health, the new firm overseeing physician staffing, that could have hospitalists seeing twice the national average of patients per day.
How to maintain hope in the face of global warming
By Thomas Reese — June 18, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We are the luckiest generation,' said one leader, 'to have something that is so meaningful to fight for.’
With Catholic anti-poverty program under attack, bishops and activists mount defense
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — June 14, 2024
(RNS) — A person familiar with the executive session’s deliberations told Religion News Service that ‘there was very strong support expressed for CCHD in the session. How it is worked out remains to be seen, but the program and collection will continue.’
With cheekiness and fawning excitement, comedians meet Pope Francis
By Claire Giangravé — June 14, 2024
(RNS) — Pope Francis told comedians they can joke about God, if they do so ‘without offending the religious sentiments of believers.’
Pope Francis becomes first pontiff to address a G7 summit, raising alarm about AI. The G7 responds
By Kelvin Chan and Nicole Winfield — June 14, 2024
BARI, Italy (AP) — Generative AI technology has dazzled the world with its capabilities to produce humanlike-responses, but it’s also sparked fears about AI safety and led to a jumble of global efforts to rein it in.
US Catholic bishops approve outreach to Native Americans and acknowledge boarding school ‘traumas’
By Holly Meyer — June 14, 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Through praying, listening and seeking healing and reconciliation, the bishops, in the new draft, are committing to revitalizing their Native Catholic ministry.
A trans hermit reminds us that the church once saw sex difference as a matter of degree
By Jacqueline Murray — June 13, 2024
(RNS) — How did a church that once recognized gender fluidity become so obdurate in imposing binary sex difference?
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passes through Washington, draws fervent Catholics
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — June 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In Brookland, the Catholic crowd of more than 1,200 were fervent about their faith, but it remains to be seen if the evangelizing project will reach beyond those already committed.
Vatican convenes astrophysicists to discuss black holes, quantum theory
By Claire Giangravé — June 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — ‘We think we have put together a dream team,’ said organizers of the event, which hopes to reconcile quantum theory and cosmology.
Catholics could decide the 2024 election
By Thomas Reese — June 11, 2024
(RNS) — Catholics are a good weathervane for how the country will vote: If you win Catholics, you likely win the country.
‘Tense calm’ at the border as migrant shelters brace for impact of Biden’s asylum order
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — June 7, 2024
(RNS) — 'Everything that happens in the United States impacts the southern border of the US and the northern border of Mexico,' the Rev. Francisco Bueno said. 'We always have to be at the ready.'
Vatican detains ex-employee who allegedly tried to sell back manuscript of Bernini’s basilica canopy
By Nicole Winfield — June 7, 2024
ROME (AP) — Vatican police have detained a former employee on charges of attempted extortion after he allegedly tried to sell a 17th-century gilded manuscript describing Bernini’s designs for the altar canopy of St. Peter’s Basilica back to the Holy See.
