The agenda for the next round of the Synod on Synodality, scheduled for Oct. 4-27 in Rome, will focus on female leadership and the inclusion of women in the Catholic Church, according to a document released Tuesday (July 9) by…
Chief prosecutor defends Vatican’s legal system after recent criticism of pope’s absolute power
The Vatican’s chief prosecutor has strongly defended the integrity and fairness of the city state’s justice system following criticism that Pope Francis’ absolute power and his interventions in the so-called “trial of the century” last year violated the defendants’ fundamental rights.
Columbia removes 3 deans over text exchange deriding concerns of campus antisemitism
Three Columbia University administrators have “been permanently removed from their positions” after sending a series of derisive text messages during a panel on campus Jewish life, the university’s provost announced Monday.
West Texas pastor who used illegal donations from churches to campaign for office is fined $3,500
A West Texas pastor who used his parish’s resources to campaign for office and several pastors from other churches who donated to him were fined after the state’s ethics commission determined that each violated election law.
Israel’s Holocaust memorial opens a conservation facility to store artifacts, photos and more
Israel’s national Holocaust museum opened a new conservation facility in Jerusalem on Monday that will preserve, restore and store its more than 45,000 artifacts and works of art in a vast new building, including five floors of underground storage.
French voters reject far right — but elevate left-wing alliance with history of antisemitism allegations
In a surprise outcome, French voters rejected a far-right party with antisemitic roots — but elevated a left-wing alliance that has faced antisemitism allegations of its own.
A Family Loses 3 Generations of Women in India Crowd’s Panic
Vinod Kumar was away from home on Tuesday, as he usually is for days at a time in search of masonry work, when he got the dreadful call.
When Worship Leaders Go on Vacation, Churches Get Creative
When you imagine the summer attendance slump at church, you probably picture empty pews, not an empty stage.
Israel approves plans for nearly 5,300 new homes in West Bank settlements
The Israeli government has approved plans to build nearly 5,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank, a monitoring group said Thursday, the latest in a campaign to accelerate settlement expansion, aimed at cementing Israeli control over the…
People Ask Me Why I Bother Engaging With Evangelicals Online. The Answer Is Surprisingly Simple.
I’ve lived many lives. This includes an enthusiastic (and very earnest) half-dozen years of my adolescence and young adulthood as an energetic Daytona Beach, Florida-dwelling born-again Christian.
Vatican excommunicates former US ambassador Vigano, declares him guilty of schism
The Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the U.S., Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable end for the firebrand conservative who became one of Pope Francis’ most ardent critics.
Are Women More Spiritual and Men More Religious?
I always like surveys that take a look at religion in a way that’s just a bit different than what we are used to. That’s certainly the case with the Fetzer Institute’s National Religion and Spirituality Survey.








