The shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., exposed long-ignored, long-simmering tensions in the United States. Ferguson amounts to a kind of national Rorschach test on race. Polls show blacks and whites hold decidedly different views about the unarmed teenager’s death.

In Istanbul on Nov. 30, Pope Francis stated unequivocally that “full communion” was his goal with the 300-million-member Orthodox churches. He added that the only condition for achieving that unity is “the shared profession of faith.” Significantly, seeking to overcome suspic

Latin American church leaders apologized for historical complicity with colonial atrocities in the Amazon and called for a church with an "Amazonian face" in a pastoral letter issued as negotiators from around the world met for a climate summit here."The exploitation of the Amazon thr

Leaders must 'overcome distrust; promote a culture of solidarity'

When shopping and when interacting with people on city streets, everyone can help fight the evil of modern-day slavery, Pope Francis said in his annual message (click here for Spanish) for the World Day of Peace on Jan. 1."Together with the social responsibility of businesses, there is als

The chairman of the U.S bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace said acts of torture outlined in a Senate Intelligence Committee report "violated the God-given human dignity inherent in all people and were unequivocally wrong."Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico,

When President Obama spoke to the nation of Nov 20 making his case for taking executive action on immigration he turned to Scripture ldquo we shall not oppress a stranger for we know the heart of a stranger We were strangers once too rdquo Even those with little familiarity with the Bible

Not "a clash between factions, but of a debate among bishops."

Our Lady of Guadalupe "calls a people into a new home. Those who had lost a place of divine communion find it anew."

Pope Francis will hold a Consistory for the creation of new cardinals on 14-15 February 2015 nbsp He has also convened a meeting of the entire College of Cardinals for the two days prior to that event but has not yet disclosed the topic s they will discuss nbsp Father Federico Lombardi S J t

Demographic shifts may put consensus out of reach.

In formally announcing his resignation and convoking the 36th General Congregation to be held in October 2016 Jesuit Superior General Fr Adolfo Nicolas S J wrote quot I invite the whole Society to enter into a process of deep and genuine spiritual discernment about our life and mission duri

ldquo No Longer Slaves But Brothers and Sisters rdquo That is the title of Pope Francis rsquo s Message for the World Day of Peace that will be celebrated on Jan 1 2015 in which he describes modern slavery as ldquo a global phenomenon rdquo and calls for a worldwide mobilization ldquo to e

'We see ourselves, not in competition within the church, but...with secular media.'

Author Eric Schlosser spent six years researching the safety record of the keepers of America rsquo s diminished but still vast nuclear arsenal The most shocking thing he rsquo s learned ldquo That the difference between safety and catastrophe in the United States has come down to a single switch

Landing on Mars won't distract the nation from racism, inequality and environmental threats.

Advice for a 17 year old, or anyone, who doesn't know what to do for the rest of their life.

Responses will serve as the basis for working document.