For Catholics, retention rates tend to be significantly lower than for other faiths, while former Catholics cite varying reasons for leaving the church, depending upon their current religious affiliation—or lack thereof.
News
Trump administration threatens Sister Norma Pimentel’s migrant aid with 6-year funding ban
The Department of Homeland Security has moved to bar Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley from receiving federal funds for six years, targeting one of the nation’s most prominent Catholic Charities affiliates.
Hong Kong’s Catholic democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai convicted in ‘farce’ national security trial
Hong Kong’s prominent Catholic, media tycoon and pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been convicted of national security offenses under the city’s controversial national security law.
Pope Leo condemns ‘antisemitic violence,’ ‘terrorist massacre’ in Sydney
Condemning the attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, Pope Leo XIV said, “Enough with these forms of antisemitic violence! We must eradicate hatred from our hearts.”
Pope Leo tells conservative E.U. group the U.S.-European alliance needs to be strong
The evening before meeting a group of conservative European politicians, Pope Leo XIV expressed disappointment at what appears to be a weakening alliance between the United States and Europe.
Boston archdiocese tells church to remove ICE message from Nativity, but pastor refuses for now
In a Dec. 6 statement, the archdiocese said, “The people of God have the right to expect that, when they come to church, they will encounter genuine opportunities for prayer and Catholic worship—not divisive political messaging.”
NY archdiocese to negotiate settlements in abuse claims, to fund them
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan announced Dec. 8 that the Archdiocese of New York would be entering into mediation and taking steps to raise more than $300 million for sexual abuse settlements.
Trump says he is open to meeting Pope Leo in new interview
Pope Leo has been critical of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, particularly its treatment of migrants, calling it “inhuman.”
ICE Nativity scenes: Churches reimagine Christmas story amid deportations
“We know that Jesus was born into a Roman imperial occupation, and pretty much immediately becomes a refugee in Egypt, has to flee and faces political violence,” the Rev. Michael Woolf said.
Pew: Decline of religion remains stalled. But there’s no revival yet.
Religion in America might be best described in the words of rap artist LL Cool J: Don’t call it a comeback. At least not yet.
