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Trump congratulates Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized him on immigration

Religion / Religious News /

President Donald Trump Thursday congratulated Pope Leo XIV, calling it a “great honor” that the Chicago-born pontiff has become the first pope born in the U.S.

“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” Trump wrote on his social media site. “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.”

Trump ...Read more

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Cardinal Prevost becomes first American pope; takes the name Leo XIV

Religion / Religious News /

ROME — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Roman Catholic pontiff, the first ever pope from the United States and a possible bridge between the moderate and hard-line sides of a divided Church.

Prevost, 69, chose the name of Leo XIV for his pontificate and was greeted by thousands of cheering faithful as he stepped out onto a ...Read more

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Cardinal Prevost becomes first American pope; takes the name Leo XIV

Religion / Religious News /

ROME — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Roman Catholic pontiff, the first ever pope from the United States and a possible bridge between the moderate and hard-line sides of the Church.

Prevost, 69, chose the name of Leo XIV for his pontificate and was greeted by thousands of cheering faithful as he stepped out onto a balcony ...Read more

Alejandro Tamayo/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS

LDS church agrees to 'settlement in principle' of more than 100 sex abuse lawsuits in California

Religion / Religious News /

SAN DIEGO — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed in principle to settle more than 100 childhood sexual abuse lawsuits filed against it last year in San Diego and across California, according to recent court filings in the cases.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs and the Utah-based LDS church, often referred to as the Mormon ...Read more

The God Squad: What I want from the new pope?

Religion / God Squad /

Q: What do you as a rabbi want from the new pope? – (From F)

A: As it turns out, I want the same things from a new pope that I would want from a new rabbi – plus the ability to run a worldwide, multicultural, multi-billion-dollar institution representing more than a billion Catholics.

I want a pope who believes that Christ...Read more

Why is it necessary for us to tell Him what we’re thinking and how we’re feeling and behaving?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: If God knows every thought we have – good or bad (especially the bad) – why is it necessary for us to tell Him what we’re thinking and how we’re feeling and behaving? – G.B.

A: There are no secrets from God. The Bible says, “You alone know each human heart” (1 Kings 8:39, NLT). Should...Read more

Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun/TNS

Sex abuse survivors encourage more lawsuits against archdiocese before cap deadline

Religion / Religious News /

BALTIMORE — Sex abuse survivors scoffed at the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s claim of “charitable immunity” in bankruptcy court and encouraged others Wednesday to sue the church before financial damages face new limits next month.

“Just when you think you may be reaching the end of the Catholic Church’s road of hypocrisy, they find a ...Read more

STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Do US Catholics want a more progressive or conservative pope? What poll finds

Religion / Religious News /

As more than 130 voting cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to begin the secret process to elect the next head of the Holy See, a new poll finds that a plurality of U.S. Catholics want Pope Francis’ successor to continue his teachings.

The papal conclave includes the most electors ever — the bulk of them appointed by the late ...Read more

Is it so true that He works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’m in awe after getting a prayer answered, though I prayed without really believing God would answer my request. I had longed to go as a missionary to Ukraine after the war broke out. Many obstacles were put in my way, and every door I tried to open seemed to slam in my face. Greatly discouraged,...Read more

Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times/TNS

New Wash. state law requires priests to report child abuse. DOJ calls it 'anti-Catholic'

Religion / Religious News /

A new Washington state law requires Catholic priests and other religious community leaders of different faiths to report potential child abuse to state authorities.

But does the law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on May 2 raise constitutional issues?

The question is central to a new federal civil rights probe launched under President Donald Trump...Read more

Mario Tama/Getty Images North America/TNS

Next pope betting odds: Long shot gains momentum as conclave nears

Religion / Religious News /

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a 50-1 betting long shot to be elected pope in 2013, when the former Argentine cardinal beat the odds and took the name Pope Francis.

Bettors are banking on another long shot to succeed Pope Francis, who died April 21 at age 88.

While Italian cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle continue to...Read more

Commentary: I'm praying for a pope of color

Religion / Religious News /

Pope Francis’ version of diversity, equity and inclusion had special importance for me as a Black man and a devotional Catholic.

When he traveled to Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands, I shouted in joy. It was blunt recognition that the Catholic Church could no longer treat nonwhite nations as an afterthought. He sent that message again ...Read more

Isn’t the natural pathway of life to just live and learn from our mistakes?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My grandmother keeps warning me not to make bad choices in life. I respect her as one who has always made good decisions, and our family has benefited greatly. But does God really care about the decisions we make, and if so, why? Isn’t the natural pathway of life to just live and learn from our ...Read more

Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

The Camden Diocese will no longer oppose a statewide investigation of clergy sex abuse, new bishop says

Religion / Religious News /

The new bishop of Camden said Monday that his diocese would no longer oppose a statewide investigation of sex abuse by clergy — a stunning reversal after the diocese had spent years arguing in sealed court documents that the probe proposed by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office should not be allowed to move forward.

In an interview, ...Read more

Alex Wong/Getty Images North America/TNS

Editorial: Don't use tax dollars for religion -- Supreme Court should reject funding for sectarian charter school

Religion / Religious News /

Should a blatantly sectarian educational institution qualify for public funding as a charter school? The Supreme Court wrestled with the question Wednesday. The answer must be no.

Charter schools are public schools; we’ve said this many times, as have fellow advocates for the innovative instructional models they deliver. They are free and ...Read more

Is the breath of life in our hands to give and take?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: We live in dangerous times. Young people are committing suicide; the elderly and sickly consider the right to die. Is the breath of life in our hands to give and take? – L.B.

A: Ultimately, our lives are in God’s hands; even the next breath we take is a gift from Him. If He were to withdraw His...Read more

Is it right for parents to give kids rules?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The media has revealed the president’s parenting rules to his youngest son. Is it right for parents to give kids rules? Giving our children freedom to make their own decisions and learn about life is how they learn. Isn’t that what the story of the prodigal son is all about? Besides this story, ...Read more

Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America/TNS

NY lawmakers may weaken, stall tougher educational requirements for yeshivas

Religion / Religious News /

NEW YORK — New York lawmakers are brokering a deal that would delay and weaken educational requirements for religious schools — a major setback for yeshiva reform advocates who believe all students should receive some secular instruction, The New York Daily News has learned.

The plan is to include the changes in the next state budget, which...Read more

Does the Bible speak of a golden age?

Religion / Billy Graham /

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: There is a lot of talk about a coming Golden Age in the political realm. There’s also a religious book by the same title, but it is about Jesus Christ returning to Earth. There was a time that I felt it was an idea of some fanatical religious sects, but the more I watch events in the Holy Land, ...Read more

The God Squad: RIP Pope Francis

Religion / God Squad /

Many notes of reflection on the passing of the pope. This from my friend F in Wisconsin:

“When he was a teenager, he loved to play basketball. Then, in his 20s, he had life-threatening pneumonia and part of a lung was removed. No more basketball for that young man! He became a priest after being inspired by a priest. John Paul II made him...Read more

 

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