Pope Francis’ repeated invitations to practice mercy and charity have become the focus of efforts to defuse the widespread polarization that has wracked society and has crossed into Catholic circles.
News Analysis
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
2018 review of the U.S. Supreme Court: Big decisions and bench changes
The Supreme Court’s past year will probably be remembered more for the shakeup at the bench than for specific rulings.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
As 2018 ends, U.S. bishops move to address allegations of abuse and claims of cover-up
2018 will no doubt be remembered as a dark time for the U.S. Catholic Church.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
For the pope, 2018 was a difficult year to come to terms with abuse crisis
Pope Francis marked the fifth anniversary of his election in March in the midst of a firestorm over his handling of clerical sexual abuse and bishops’ accountability in Chile.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Immigration battles continue as 2018 comes to an end
The year may be coming to an end but the battles on the immigration front promise to continue well into 2019 and beyond.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Understanding Pope Francis’ controversial remarks on homosexuality in the priesthood
The pope’s comments have provoked consternation among previous admirers, who worry that he is walking back the more pastoral approach to L.G.B.T. Catholics that has been his hallmark, and rejoicing among some of his usual critics, who complain that his persistent emphasis on mercy can sometimes break church doctrine.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Has Catholic infighting gotten worse?
Gerry and Colleen look into some new developments in the stories surrounding the U.S. bishops’ delay of the vote on new sex abuse protocols. They also discuss Pope Francis’ recent initiatives to make “invisible people visible.”
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Struggling to make sense of the California wildfires
A disaster like this creates so many brutal little ironies.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
U.S. bishops adopt new anti-racism letter, first in almost 40 years
The U.S. Catholic bishops voted to accept the first pastoral letter against racism in almost 40 years.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
What’s behind the stalled U.S. bishops’ vote on sex abuse?
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” we devote the entire show to recent developments in the sexual abuse crisis.