Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment Vidar Helgesen speaks during the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in Oslo, Norway, on Monday June 19, 2017. Religious and indigenous leaders worldwide are calling for an end to deforestation in an international multi-faith, multi-cultural plea to reduce the emissions that fuel climate change, which is killing tropical rainforests.(Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Religious and indigenous leaders seek to save rainforests

by Josephine McKenna - Religion News Service June 19, 2017

“If we continue to do deforestation, it is like suicide,” said Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo. “We need to act together to defend our common house.”

DeaconChat highlights women who have “considered a call to the diaconate to share that discernment with the wider church.” Screenshot from Catholicwomendeacons.org

Faith, News

How you can join the Catholic conversation about female deacons

by Josephine McKenna - Religion News Service June 16, 2017

Their actions of several Catholic groups follow the appointment of a panel of experts set up by Pope Francis to consider the controversial question.

A gold-leaf statue depicting the ancient Mormon prophet, Moroni, is prepared for placement on one of the spires of the new Mormon temple in Rome on March 25, 2017. Photo courtesy of Claudio Falanga/Intellectual Reserve Inc.

Faith, News

In the shadow of St. Peter’s, a Mormon temple rises in Italy

by Josephine McKenna - Religion News Service June 9, 2017

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an estimated 26,000 members in Italy, with the biggest missions based in Milan and Rome.

Faith, News

A saint’s brain is stolen and Catholics pray for its return

by Josephine McKenna - Religion News Service June 5, 2017

Police set up roadblocks in northern Italy after a thief posing as a pilgrim stole tiny fragments of the brain of John Bosco, one of the country’s most revered saints.

A long exposure at the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope in southeastern Arizona in 2014. Photo courtesy of the Vatican Observatory

Faith, News

Meet the Vatican’s space explorers

by Josephine McKenna - Religion News Service May 25, 2017

Twelve Catholic priests and brothers live, work and pray at the Vatican Observatory as they explore some of the universe’s biggest scientific questions.

Catholic nuns plant mahogany tree saplings during a Feast of the Forest event in Cagueban town in the western Philippines, on June 30, 2012. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Romeo Ranoco

Faith, News

Catholic groups will divest from coal, oil and gas to fight climate change

by Josephine McKenna - Religion News Service May 11, 2017

Nine Catholic organizations from around the world have announced they are divesting their savings from coal, oil and gas companies in a joint bid to fight climate change.