The U.S. Supreme Court is bedeviled by never-ending questions about capital punishment that underscore the practice’s capriciousness and cruelty.
Politics & Society
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
A message to Pope Francis: Be wary of right-wing populists when you visit Romania
The pope will visit a section of Romania with a large ethnic Hungarian population—and a Marian shrine that has attracted allies of the autocratic, anti-migrant Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Two U.S. churches: One is closing down parishes, the other is standing-room only
While the church continues to shut down parishes in the Rust Belt, a new wave of immigrants is contributing to an urgent demand for more pews in the South and West.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
What happens when a priest is falsely accused of sexual abuse
The story of Chiacgo’s Father Gary Graf illustrates the challenges facing priests who are falsely accused at a time when hundreds of true stories of horrific abuse dominate the news.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Trump calls Pope Francis to offer condolences over Notre Dame fire
Trump says in a tweet that he offered “condolences from the People of the United States for the horrible and destructive fire.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A former ambassador finds much to like in Pope Francis’ diplomatic instincts
The best way to approach things is to find allies in the Islamic world who share a vision of tolerance and openness and who recognize the concept of the Abrahamic religions as having a common core of beliefs.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Catastrophic fire engulfs Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
The blaze collapsed the cathedral’s spire and spread to one of its landmark rectangular towers.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
As Venezuela refugee crisis builds, church struggles to carry out pope’s call
The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and the urgent need for assistance for those escaping the political and social turmoil is nearly overwhelming efforts of various faith groups in trying to alleviate the situation.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Ohio governor signs fetal heartbeat law, setting stage for legal challenges
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill that would make it illegal to carry out an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Japanese Catholic Church to begin investigating sex abuse cases
In the wake of the Vatican’s February summit on clerical sexual abuse, the Tokyo-based Catholic Bishops’ Conference will begin to investigate cases of abuse in Japan, going far back as 20 years ago.