Posts in Analysis
Why the Burrill resignation is the biggest story in U.S. Catholicism

(ANALYSIS) It’s been a busy July on the Catholic news beat. There’s rarely a dull moment, especially in the Pope Francis era, as debate over the past few weeks focused on the Latin Mass and alleged Grindr-clicking gay clergy in high places.

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Fact check: Who is the pastor accused in Haiti’s presidential assassination?

This week’s Weekend Plug-in features a fact check on an important religion angle related to Haiti’s presidential assassination. Plus, catch up on all the week’s best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Why it’s unlikely U.S. mainline Protestants outnumber evangelicals

(ANALYSIS) Recent data released by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) showed that US mainline Protestants outnumber evangelicals for the first time. But that conclusion was immediately met with skepticism online. Here’s why.

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Pastors and plagiarism: Why an old story is making timely new headlines

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights recent news coverage of plagiarism in the world of faith. Plus, catch up on all the week’s top religion news and best reads.

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Meetings On Kashmir Raise Questions About An Uncertain Future

(ANALYSIS) KASHMIR -- Nearly two years after Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union Territories and Article 370 of the Constitution was revoked, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met 14 J&K leaders in New Delhi on June 24 to end the political impasse in the former state.

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Communion wars: Why does Biden take the Eucharist and support abortion?

(OPINION) What’s important to remember is that as Catholics our faith is not a set of political positions that we hold on a variety of issues. Our faith is rooted in what Jesus said about God’s purpose and his will for every person. That has been transmitted to all of us in the gospels, through centuries of church tradition and Canon Law.

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Documentary explores Vatican soccer tournament through the power of prayer and penalty kicks

(REVIEW) This unique sporting event is the focus of a new 69-minute documentary called “The Holy Game” by filmmakers Brent Hodge and Chris Kelly. The film, distributed by Gravitas Ventures, details what’s often called the “World Cup of the church” — but also takes a behind-the-scenes look at these young seminarians who love both playing the game and God.

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A Boom In Pandemic Home-Schooling Tees Up Conflicts Over Religion, Rights and Regulation

(OPINION) The Census Bureau reports the “unprecedented environment” during the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a boom in “pandemic pods” as well as parents considering virtual schools and home-school organizations beyond the neighborhood public school. The Census Bureau reported home-schooling among Black or African Americans increased by five times to 16.1% of households last fall.

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Catholic bishops vote to draft Communion guidelines: What happens next?

(ANALYSIS) Following three days of contentious debate, the U.S. Catholic bishops approved a measure on Friday to draft a statement that could deny Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians like President Joe Biden. Here’s what happens next.

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Big news involving Southern Baptists, Roman Catholics and even a modern-day Jonah

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the crucial developments at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Plus, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Get ready for a week that could change U.S. Catholicism forever

(OPINION) Barring an intervention from Pope Francis himself, the U.S. bishops will consider, and vote on Thursday, a plan for a document about Holy Communion that includes denying the sacrament to politicians who repeatedly support policies advocating abortion rights. That includes President Joe Biden, only the country’s second Catholic commander in chief ever.

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Leaks turn up the heat in advance of Southern Baptists' Nashville meeting

This week’s Weekend Plug-in summary highlights the drama expected to unfold at next week’s Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Plus, find links to all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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New book with a Catholic perspective on the pandemic looks at the church’s future

(REVIEW) One sure sign that the pandemic is fading may be the steady stream of books about it that have started to trickle out. It’s true that COVID-19 affected the planet like nothing else in our lifetimes. In fact, the fallout from what has transpired over the last 15 months could be felt for years, if not decades, to come.

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Coming soon: Southern Baptist Convention's biggest annual meeting in a quarter-century

This week’s Weekend Plug-in summary explores why the Southern Baptist Convention is preparing for its biggest annual meeting in a quarter-century. Plus, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Why Ethiopia's Orthodox Synod Called Media, U.S. Sanctions On Tigray Conflict ‘Indirect Colonialism’

(OPINION) A viral video of His Holiness Abuna Mathias, a Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), describing barbaric killings of civilians in Tigray has prompted heightened concern in the international community about human rights abuses, while many Ethiopians remain cautious and skeptical about whether disinformation campaigns driven by anti-government activists, geopolitical forces, “Ethiopia analysts” and media outlets are influencing Western communities and governments.

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At Tulsa Massacre's centennial, the role of repentance, reconciliation and reparations

Monday marks the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the role of religion at the centennial. Plus, catch up on all the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

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