News
500 religious groups, leaders seek end to ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy
In a Feb. 26 letter to Nielsen, the religious groups and individuals said the policy " returns vulnerable asylum-seekers to Mexico and puts them at risk of further harm while they wait for their case to be processed in the United States."
South Sudan bishops: Peace deal not working, here’s how to fix it
South Sudan's peace deal is fatally flawed, the country's bishops said as they committed the church to helping forge new negotiations. They also recommended a series of measures to end the conflict.
Supreme Court blocks death penalty case of inmate with dementia
The Supreme Court is sending a death-row case back to the lower courts to determine if the inmate's dementia, brought on by strokes he suffered while on death row, should prevent him from being executed.
United Methodist delegates maintain ban on same-sex marriage, LGBT pastors
Delegates voted 438-384 to approve the Traditional Plan Feb. 26. It says homosexuality "is not compatible with the teachings of Christianity" and institutes penalties for Methodist churches that allow same-sex marriage or the ordination of LGBT clergy.
Faith community joins Florida congressman in opposing offshore drilling
Rep. Francis Rooney, a former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, cautioned that offshore drilling for oil in Florida's coastal waters would endanger the state's tourism-based economy should a major spill occur.
Christian charity must be supported by prayer, pope says
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the "Circolo di San Pietro," a charitable association founded to support the pope and serve the poor, the pope focused on the group's motto, which is "prayer, action, sacrifice."
Pope encourages joint community service by rabbis, parish priests
The fruitful dialogue between Jews and Christians must go beyond academic experts, Pope Francis said in calling for clerics and their faith communities to serve the needy "and by promoting paths of peace and dialogue with all."
Supreme Court offers possible ground for historic memorial cross to stay
The U.S. Supreme Court seemed to lean toward preserving a historic cross-shaped memorial in Maryland Feb. 27 without making overall clarifications about the constitutionality of religious symbols on public property.
St. Thomas More celebrates patron, jubilee with movie night
Members of the Pottstown parish, now celebrating its 50th jubilee, gathered for a Feb. 10 screening of "A Man for All Seasons," the classic film retelling of the martyr's life.
Border bishops say real emergency is how to take care of migrants
All the rhetoric that has been building up about how bad the 'other' people are has built up to this national emergency, which is a lie," Archbishop Garcia-Siller said.