VATICAN CITY (RNS) While the number of Catholic priests in the Americas and in Europe is declining compared to the overall Catholic population, those losses were offset by increasing ranks of permanent deacons.
(RNS) As the Boy Scouts of America considers whether to change its membership policy to admit gay members, some alternative church-based groups are fielding inquiries from people concerned about the action.
DRAPER, Utah (RNS) Many communities and individuals still struggle with how best to support those left behind after a loved one commits suicide. Now faith-based groups are starting to help.
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis has ushered in a new phase in the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, shifting the focus of the Catholic Church from the concerns of the industrialized North to the “problems of the Southern hemisphere.”
WASHINGTON (RNS) Pope Francis is known now for his keep-it-simple style and focus on the poor. But once he starts making appointments and taking action, his favorable ratings may change.
(RNS) Jews worldwide welcomed newly elected Pope Francis as a friend on Wednesday (March 13), and pointed in particular to his sympathetic and strong reaction to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in his native Argentina — the deadliest bombing in the country’s history.
(RNS) The line between satire and stupidity is notoriously blurry. On Saturday, “Saturday Night Live” ran a skit call “DJesus Uncrossed,” a spoof on Quentin Tarantino’s revenge flick “Django Unchained.”
(RNS) The third season of the megahit television series “Downton Abbey” wraps up on Sunday (Feb. 17), capping another must-see run of ruin and redemption at Lord Grantham’s stately English manor. Yet some are still left puzzling over the absence of what should be a leading player in this colorful cast: God.
(RNS) According to a new poll, unchurched Americans expect to be spending Valentine’s Day between the sheets. White mainline Protestants? Not so much.
(RNS) A new survey shows that more than a quarter of Americans think God will help decide the winner of Sunday’s Super Bowl. But that doesn’t help the Almighty’s football-loving followers, especially Christians who may need divine wisdom to separate the saints from the sinners in the matchup between the Ravens and the 49ers.
