Religion Unplugged

Posts in Catholicism

Nuns Back In Court To Defend Contraceptive Mandate Exemption

Nuns Back In Court To Defend Contraceptive Mandate Exemption

The Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home was back in court defending its federally approved exemption to the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate in a case dating to 2013 and involving three Supreme Court victories. The ministry in Pittsburgh last won its case before the U.S. Supreme Court in July 2020, when the justices said the Department of Health and Human Services acted lawfully when it granted exemptions to the contraceptive mandate to employers with religious and conscientious objections.

Polygamy Debate Reignited In Kenya After Viral Widow’s Confession

Polygamy Debate Reignited In Kenya After Viral Widow’s Confession

Akinyi Kaula postponed the “American Dream,” dropped out of her nursing degree studies and flew back to her homeland of Kenya — only to end up in a polygamous marriage. Now, her story is igniting online debate in Africa. The debate over polygamy, Christianity and Western values continues as many men ponder whether to wed multiple wives.

Ahead Of Return, UFC Fighter Conor McGregor Went On A Spiritual Journey

Ahead Of Return, UFC Fighter Conor McGregor Went On A Spiritual Journey

UFC star Conor McGregor says he is living a Christian life after embarking on a spiritual journey that has left him feeling “saved” and “healed.” McGregor has said his renewed faith has reignited his competitive drive and inspired him to leave a legacy others can learn from. McGregor, now 37, prepares to fight again with a renewed sense of himself.

Catholicism, Christianity, News, North America, Religion, Religion News, SportsLeocciano CallaoJuly 6, 2026Leocciano Callao, Connor McGregor, MMA, UFC, sports, sport, Ireland, news, Christianity, Catholicism, GodComment

Vatican Excommunicates Breakaway Traditionalist Bishops, Declares Schism

Vatican Excommunicates Breakaway Traditionalist Bishops, Declares Schism

(ANALYSIS) Pope Leo has reaffirmed that disputes over doctrine and worship within Catholicism ultimately converge on a single question: Whether authority rests with individual movements claiming to preserve tradition or with the pope as the center of ecclesial unity.

Analysis, Catholicism, Christianity, Europe, NewsClemente LisiJuly 2, 2026Clemente Lisi, Catholic Church, analysis, Christianity, news, Vatican, Pope Leo, Secondary feature, schism, excommunication, EuropeComment

Kenya’s Marriage Paradox: Polygamy Accepted, Divorce Rejected

Kenya’s Marriage Paradox: Polygamy Accepted, Divorce Rejected

In May 2024, a Catholic parish in Kiambu County, near the Kenyan capital Nairobi, made national headlines when it allowed a polygamous man to marry one of his wives in a church ceremony. The marriage ceremony happened while the other wife sat in the pews. The church agreed that Ndachu had to write a will dividing his estate equitably between both families.

3 Religious And Patriotic Movies To Watch Over Independence Weekend

3 Religious And Patriotic Movies To Watch Over Independence Weekend

(ANALYSIS) In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, faith-based filmmakers have pushed out multiple patriotic and history-themed films. This summer has seen a mix of historical dramas, war epics and documentaries — all of which are widely available for Christians (and non-Christians) to watch this Fourth of July weekend.

In ‘Communion,’ Vice President Vance Mixes Political Manifesto With Spiritual Memoir

In ‘Communion,’ Vice President Vance Mixes Political Manifesto With Spiritual Memoir

(ANALYSIS) In the end, Vance is a work in progress — as all Christians ought to be. The Veep never quite reconciled with his father before he died. But there’s a “second chance” with his long-troubled mother, now substance-free and happily part of the family circle doting on her grandkids.

Analysis, Catholicism, Christianity, News, North America, PoliticsRichard OstlingJune 30, 2026Richard Ostling, analysis, news, Christianity, Catholicism, Catholic Church, books, politics and religion, Trump, MAGA, politics Comment

Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ Should Have Listened To Religious People More

Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ Should Have Listened To Religious People More

(REVIEW) Steven Spielberg’s latest film “Disclosure Day” asks how people of faith would deal with finding out aliens are real. Sadly, one gets the distinct impression that Spielberg didn’t talk to any religious people when deciding his answer. Spielberg is responsible for some of the most iconic movies about aliens and faith ever made.

‘Backrooms’ And The Search For Salvation: Being Lost Between Worlds

‘Backrooms’ And The Search For Salvation: Being Lost Between Worlds

(ANALYSIS) The Kane Parsons film “Backrooms” has captivated audiences since it hit theaters in May. The movie — a horror film about liminal spaces based on internet mythology — also taps into a series of religious ideas that have existed for centuries, particularly concepts such as purgatory, limbo and salvation.

Spain’s Historic Church Sex Abuse Compensation Marks First Step Toward Reparation

After decades of silence, Spain and the Catholic Church have agreed on a compensation deal for victims of clergy sexual abuse. For survivors, it is a long-awaited recognition—but also a reminder that justice remains incomplete.

Bonfires And A Saint’s Day: How Europe Celebrates The Year’s Longest 24 Hours

Bonfires And A Saint’s Day: How Europe Celebrates The Year’s Longest 24 Hours

(ANALYSIS) Whether cities or villages, many communities across Europe spend the day and night of June 24 celebrating Midsummer. Congregating around bonfires, or sometimes maypoles, sporting handwoven wreaths of wildflowers or oak leaves, they’ll sing, jump, dance, eat, drink, catch up and celebrate the arrival of the longest day of the year.

Analysis, Catholicism, Christianity, History, News, Europe, Religion, Religion News, SocietyThomas DuBoisJune 23, 2026Thomas DuBois, analysis, summer, news, paganism, Christianity, Europe, midsummer, Sweden, Catholicism, Secondary featureComment

Maradona’s ‘Hand Of God’ Goal 40 Years Later: Should It Be Celebrated?

Maradona’s ‘Hand Of God’ Goal 40 Years Later: Should It Be Celebrated?

(ANALYSIS) Memorable goals are generally linked to the players who scored them. Few can be recalled without mention of the individual — or even the team — involved. Yet, two goals in one game 40 years ago have attained that status. One is known universally as the “Hand of God,” and the other is widely acknowledged as the “Goal of the Century.” Both were scored by Diego Maradona.

Seeing Pope Leo XIV’s AI Encyclical Through A Jewish Lens

Seeing Pope Leo XIV’s AI Encyclical Through A Jewish Lens

(ANALYSIS) In Judaism, this distinctly-human urge — or as Immanuel Kant puts it, “self-imposed immaturity” — separates humanity from God. Immaturity, however, implies the concept of a future maturation process, induced by palpable experience and excluding any computational rigging or other attempt to authentically possess it.

A Shared Mourning Ritual Helped A US Soldier And Iraqi Find Common Ground

A Shared Mourning Ritual Helped A US Soldier And Iraqi Find Common Ground

(ESSAY) As an anthropologist who studies social bonding during times of crisis, I now understand how cultural religious traditions — even when they seem different — can create unexpected connections. Many years after my military service, during the final days of my father’s life, my large family kept vigil beside him. Sitting with my siblings, mother and dozens of nieces and nephews, I told them this story.

Bangladesh Has A New Catholic Diocese: Why Hindus And Muslims Are Excited, Too

Bangladesh Has A New Catholic Diocese: Why Hindus And Muslims Are Excited, Too

A new Catholic diocese in Bangladesh is creating a place of hope for people of all faith, especially in the fields of education and health. Bishop Paul Gomes was consecrated this month as the first bishop of the new diocese of Joypurhat in northern Bangladesh, which is largely inhabited by indigenous people. Joypurhat is the ninth Catholic diocese in Bangladesh with more than 24,000 Catholics.

The Pentagon’s Mormon Classification Revives Debate Over Christian Identity

The Pentagon’s Mormon Classification Revives Debate Over Christian Identity

(ANALYSIS) A recent decision by the U.S. Department of Defense has reopened one of the longest-running religious disputes in American history: Whether members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be considered Christians. The controversy emerged after the Pentagon revised a list of religious affiliations available to military personnel.

Cincinnati Gives Glimpse Of Catholicism’s History In America’s Heartland

Cincinnati Gives Glimpse Of Catholicism’s History In America’s Heartland

(ANALYSIS) Ten years after “Hillbilly Elegy” catapulted its author into public view, JD Vance is publishing a new memoir, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.” The vice president explains the book as a sort of self-help guide for the spiritually lost: “… by sharing my journey I might be helpful to others — Catholic, Protestant, or otherwise — who are seeking reconciliation with God.”

How The ‘Hand Of Providence’ Helped Decide The American Revolution

How The ‘Hand Of Providence’ Helped Decide The American Revolution

Yorktown has a landscape layered with meaning. It’s where cannon fire once settled an empire’s fate and the birth of a new nation. It’s also the place where the “Hand of Providence” prevailed.

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Puts This Italian City’s Religious Sites In The Spotlight

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Puts This Italian City’s Religious Sites In The Spotlight

Milan took center stage in new film “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” The movie showcases the city’s most iconic Catholic sites, such as the Duomo, the Pinacoteca di Brera and the church courtyard and convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo Da Vinci’s mural painting “The Last Supper.”

Architecture, Arts & Culture, Film & TV, Catholicism, EuropeGraciela IbáñezJune 10, 2026Graciela Ibáñez, Milan, Italy, movies, film and TV, news, travel, Christianity, Catholic Church, art, fashion, Europe, Zenger News, ZengerNews, Zenger Comment

Why Spanish Youth Are Leaving The Catholic Church Behind

Why Spanish Youth Are Leaving The Catholic Church Behind

(ANALYSIS) The trend in Spain is also a reflection of a pan-European phenomenon. According to various surveys such as the European Social Survey, in southern European countries, including Spain, younger generations exhibit less attachment to religious institutions but maintain nuanced and pluralistic spiritual orientations.