During my volunteer experience, I was mostly on the receiving end of mercy.

Mary McAleese, who has a gay son and has criticized the church’s position on L.G.B.T. issues, was invited to participate in a panel discussion on women in church governance.

Seven illicit bishops have asked Pope Francis for pardon and requested reconciliation with him and the universal church.

The only answers that mattered, some argued, were the ones offered by people who attended Mass weekly or more.

Many U.S. Catholics have not only ignored their Muslim brothers and sisters but harbor discriminatory views about Muslims at alarming rates.