Religious leaders recommit to “reconciled, united, democratic and hospitable Europe” in online meeting with European Commission vice-president
Bishop of Stockholm Anders Arborelius welcomes as necessary 8-person limit on public liturgies, while Bishops in France protest over “completely disrespectful” 30-person cap
At book launch in Saudi Arabia, Holy See representative to UN in Geneva Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič says human fraternity key to move from “incivility of conflict” to “civilisation of encounter”
“If you promise transparency and then fail to keep your promise, there is the suspicion of another cover-up”, laments Johannes-Wilhelm Rörig of scandal in Cologne archdiocese
“Laïcité has increasingly become an expression of French identity. It now acts as a touchstone for ‘le vivre-ensemble’: how French people can live together”
The month-long demonstrations – triggered by a controversial abortion ruling – are the country’s largest since Solidarity, drawing nearly half a million women and their supporters daily
“Freedom of worship is not dependent upon the freedom of assembly, but an essential part of freedom of religion”, stresses foreign minister Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher
New justice’s ruling in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia could provide religious organisations with legal cover to discriminate against LGBTQ people… but there’s even more than that at stake
“The Church should take the path of service rather than that of confrontation”, insists Bishop of Valence Pierre-Yves Michel
“Leadership that summons Americans to recognise “we are all in the same boat” could heal divisions by bringing voices together over an agenda Catholics and non-Catholics can embrace”
“Many individual bishops continue to prioritize Catholic sexual teaching against homosexual acts over and above Catholic social teaching and its prohibition against discrimination”
In OSCE meeting, Vatican permanent representative laments “profound ramifications” of coronavirus lockdown measures on religious freedom
Quoting Pope Francis, President of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue insists fundamentalism “not due to religion, but to misinterpretations of religious texts”
“It is legitimate for a State… to impose measures that are for the benefit of all”, claims Archbishop of Poitiers Pascal Wintzer
Frustration against new abortion ban continues to boil over as Bishops’ head blames protests on “hatred of Christianity” of “cultural Marxists”, compares plight of Catholics today with that of Jews in pre-war period
In a joint declaration, Islamic leaders decry instrumentalisation of religion “for political, diplomatic or commercial ends”, criticise “unjustified” Muslim calls to boycott French products
Nice diocese holds moving rite of reparation, Mass for All Saints in remembrance of three who perished in October 29 tragedy
Prelates urge Catholics to “collaborate loyally” with authorities, “strictly observe” anti-pandemic measures: “This civic sense is essential to show our solidarity”
The terrorist attacks in France aren’t just about “religion” – they also involve a whole series of intricate historical, geopolitical and economic factors
EU Bishops’ president says Europe “called to build a future for the whole world”, deplores migrant pushbacks on Greece’s external borders: “Surely policies must change”
Ireland and Wales are the only countries in Europe to have imposed bans on public worship in the second wave of the pandemic
Conservative believers are increasingly turning their backs on the president, worried about his failures of leadership and his exploitation of Christianity
What would Jesus have thought of online Masses? Will there still be a place for in-person services post-pandemic?
“We accuse ourselves for not standing to our beliefs more courageously, for not praying more faithfully, for not believing more joyously, and for not loving more ardently”, reads the Stuttgart Declaration of Guilt
Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation process has put focus not only on the would-be justice’s faith but also on the religious makeup of the court itself
“Poverty, decadence and suffering in one part of the earth are a breeding ground for problems that will end up affecting the entire planet”, warns Francis
“Before God we are not strangers, or numbers. We are faces and hearts, known one by one, by name”, Pope stresses in catechesis
The president is using religious language at a much higher rate than any predecessor. And the rhetoric is only increasing