Posts in Catholicism
Catholic Voters In Battleground States Favor GOP In Upcoming Midterms, Poll Finds

A majority of Catholic voters in six key battleground states say they plan to vote for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections, a new poll reveals. A majority of voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada listed the economy, jobs, inflation and rising interest rates as their top concern.

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Pope Francis Extends The Synod On Synodality To 2024: What Does It Mean For The Church's Future?

(ANALYSIS) Pope Francis decided to divide the church’s Synod of Bishops into two sessions, one next October and a second in October 2024, in order to “help everyone to live it as the journey of brothers and sisters who proclaim the joy of the Gospel.” What does it mean for the future of Catholicism?

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A History Of Catholicism Since The French Revolution Is An Ambitious Volume Worth Reading

(REVIEW) Historian John McGreevy’s new book “Catholicism: A Global History from the French Revolution to Pope Francis,” covering a period of 230 years, can only be defined as ambitious. Extremely well researched and skillfully put together, McGreevy’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in the planet’s largest Christian denomination.

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GOP Hoping To Surf On Red Wave Of Catholic Support During Midterms

(ANALYSIS) Whether it’s on issues like abortion or same-sex marriage, transgenderism and school curriculums, faith voters will play their part. If the recent past is any guide, Catholics will play an outsized role in the outcomes depending on the state, especially in the so-called swing states.

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Majority Of Catholics Say Biden Should Not Seek Second White House Bid, Poll Reveals

A majority of Catholic voters agree that President Joe Biden should not run for a second term in 2024, while Republicans are also favored by this voter bloc in the upcoming midterm elections, a new poll has found. At the same time, support for Biden among Hispanic Catholics continues to wane, a worrying trend for Democrats heading into next month’s midterms.

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Cardinal Zen’s Trial Adjourned Before Defense Can Cross-Examine Witnesses

After just two days into the trial of retired Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen and five co-defendants, a Hong Kong magistrates’ court adjourned the proceedings until Oct. 26. The sudden turn of events took place on Wednesday in a trial that officials had said would last five days.

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Giorgia On Their Minds: What The Vatican Thinks Of Meloni's Victory In Italy

(ANALYSIS) The Holy See still exerts a lot of influence in Italy. In a country that is still overwhelmingly Catholic, the results of Sunday’s election will put politicians at odds with this pope on many issues — although immigration will be the biggest one. Once you put aside “culture war” issues, Meloni and the pope agree on another thorny matter: Ukraine.

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Cardinal Zen Prepares For Trial On Charges Tied To Pro-Democracy Fund

Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen, an outspoken Catholic cleric arrested on national security charges earlier this year, and four others will stand trial starting this week in a Hong Kong courtroom. The 90-year-old activist and religious freedom fighter was arrested last May in connection with his role as administrator of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: Is He A ‘Culture Warrior' Or A Wannabe Theocrat?

(ANALYSIS) A Republican politician with presidential aspirations visits a Christian college. What happens next, in terms of the way the event is covered by the mainstream press, is predictable — during this era of niche news, with stories written to appeal to the beliefs of specific political flocks. The politician in question is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the school is Hillsdale College in Michigan.

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Giorgia Meloni’s Politics And Faith: Meet The Woman Who Could Be Italy's Next Leader

Italians will vote in national elections on Sunday. If polls are correct, then history could be made once the votes are counted. Giorgia Meloni, who heads the Brothers of Italy party, could become the country’s first female prime minister since the nation became a republic in 1946. Here’s everything you need to know about her faith and politics.

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The News Is Broken: Christians Know This, But Still Must Read Journalist Chris Stirewalt’s Book

(REVIEW) We are all consumers of news. Many have shunned the news altogether in recent years. Increasingly, Christians are those people — especially the mainstream media — because they don’t see in it the values that reflect their lives. If you’re one of those people, then a new book out now helps you understand why and how to fix it.

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Shia LaBeouf's Newfound Catholicism Part Of His Hollywood Redemption Story

(ANALYSIS) Celebrity news coverage and religion couldn’t be more polar opposites most of the time. Coverage of actors, models and others in the entertainment industry often resembles a list for the seven deadly sins. In the case of actor Shia LaBeouf, his recent conversion to Catholicism has become part of his redemption story.

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Mother Teresa Documentary Coming To Theaters In October Following Rome Premiere

“Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” will be in nearly 1,000 theaters across the United States for an exclusive two-day only event Oct. 3-4. The documentary is part of Fathom Events’ “Saint Series”, a collection of films that delves into the lives of saints.

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Stop Assuming What Catholics Believe Based On Politics Or Internet Memes

(OPINION) Anyone can pervert a symbol, but is doing so a news story? How widespread is this extremist behavior? There are all things you can’t quantify and certainly a job that The Atlantic team failed to do. The rosary has always been something the press has failed to understand or perhaps has even feared.

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Will The New ‘Rings of Power’ TV Show Be Faithful To Tolkien's Christianity?

As the Sept. 2 premiere of “Lord of the Rings” prequel “Rings of Power” grows closer, fans anticipate and fear what the show will bring. For many, the biggest question is how the show will incorporate Christianity — if it will at all. Tolkien’s Catholicism is at the heart of the original series, and many Tolkien scholars argue that God is the central character.

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Sports, Passion And How North American Team Games Connect To Religion

(REVIEW) A new book by historian Randall Balmer called “Passion Plays: How Religion Shaped Sports in North America” explores the relationship between sports and religion. Specifically, he writes that the book “examines how the history of religion across North America connects in fascinating ways to the emergence of modern team sports.”

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Catholic Groups Warn Of Increased Church Vandalism, Call For More News Coverage

There has been an increase in crimes committed against houses of worship across North America, predominantly aimed at Catholic churches, since last year. Many of these incidents have taken place in the weeks prior and after the Supreme Court decision to roll back federal abortion rights.

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Traditional Latin Mass Feud: What Will The Outcome Mean For The Future Of Catholicism?

(ANALYSIS) “What’s the deal with all the emotional meltdowns about the traditional Latin Mass? I mean, no one speaks Latin anymore.” It sounds like a line that could have come out of the mouth of comedian Jerry Seinfeld during one of his stand-up acts. It isn’t part of his act, but it is a more than symbolic question that Catholics have been pondering over the past year.

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Pope Francis’ Delayed African Visit Muddies Hope For Peace-Building In DRC, South Sudan

Catholic leaders in Africa said Pope Francis’ visit to South Sudan is long awaited and could help push the political players to a settlement. The wider Catholic community in Africa is in a state of frustration over Francis’ decision to cancel and postpone his planned visit to the crises-ravaged nations of Congo and South Sudan after opting to go ahead with his trip to Canada.

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Pope Francis Says Canada Trip Will Force Him To Cut Back On Future Travel, Leaves Door Open To Retirement

Following a six-day voyage across Canada that included five stops and nine public appearances in Edmonton and Quebec City, Pope Francis said that the trip will result in reduced future travel and even the possibility he may choose to someday retire.

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