Most Popular News Within Last 30 Days
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New papal document is more than a response to critics [News Analysis]
In his new apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis offers a broad discussion of a general question applicable to all Christians: the personal call to holiness. However, the...2
Holy Cross College students call attention to theology professor’s views on ‘drag king’ Jesus
The Fenwick Review, a conservative student newspaper at Jesuit-run Holy Cross College, has called attention to the radical views of a theology professor, Tat-siong Benny Liew, who sees Jesus as a “drag king” of “gender indeterminate.” Liew—who holds an endowed chair and teaches New Testament courses for freshmen at the Massachusetts school—recommends “imagining [Christ’s] passion experience as a (masochistic?) sexual relation with his own Father.”3
Did Pope say there is no hell?
Pope Francis said that hell does not exist, according to Eugenio Scalfari, the founder of the daily La Repubblica.After an interview with the Pontiff, Scalfari quoted him as saying: “There is no hell. There is the disappearances of sinful souls.”
The Vatican press office quickly issued a statement noting that Scalfari’s quotation cannot be considered “a faithful transcription” of the Pope’s actual words. Scalfari, who has now interviewed Pope Francis several times, does not record the sessions or take notes; he relies on his memory to reconstruct the conversations.
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Cardinal Dolan: Democrats have abandoned Catholics
New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan has charged that the Democratic Party no longer allows room for loyal Catholics. “The ‘big tent’ of the Democratic Party now seems a pup tent,” the Cardinal wrote, in a column published by the Wall Street Journal. He pointed to Democratic leaders who have said that pro-lifers are not welcome in their party, and to the Democrats in New York who have blocked aid for students at parochial schools.5
Dramatic papal letter on Chilean crisis leaves next steps uncertain [News Analysis]
In his letter to the bishops of Chile, Pope Francis acknowledges “serious mistakes” in his handling of sex-abuse complaints, but leaves open—at least for now—the question of...6
China insists on control over Church
The Chinese government will insist on control over the Catholic Church and all other religious bodies, a spokesman has announced. “China’s constitution is clear,” said Chen...7
German bishops lodge dubia on colleagues’ decision to allow Communion for non-Catholic spouses
Seven German bishops, led by Cardinal Rainer Woelki of Cologne, have written to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, asking for clarification on whether their country’s episcopal conference has the authority to allow Communion for the non-Catholic spouses of Catholics. In February, by majority vote, the German bishops’ conference gave its approval for the policy.8
Orthodox, Catholic prelates in Syria condemn US air strike
The Orthodox and Catholic patriarchs of Antioch have united in condemnation of the US air strikes on their country, saying that the attacks were “brutal aggression” and “a clear...9
Providence bishop sees Catholic college ‘at the crossroads,’ lauds student who upheld marriage
Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, has sent a message of support to an undergraduate at Providence College who has been attacked for defending traditional marriage. Bishop Tobin said that Providence College “is standing at the crossroads” regarding its Catholic identity. He posed a rhetorical question:“Will it continue to be P.C.—the Providence College we’ve come to know and love; or simply be p.c.—politically correct, the pathetic, ephemeral fashion that has, in recent years, taken such an ironclad grip on our culture?”
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