Norwegian writer Jon Fosse was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on Dec. 10, an honor universally praised as much-deserved for a writer who has been one of Europe’s greatest for quite some time. Fosse, a playwright, novelist and poet, hasn’t always been happy, but he’s been prolific. He’s also a Catholic convert.
Read MoreInitially, a symbolic gesture against racism, taking the knee evolved into a collective action. Orlando Magic’s power forward Jonathan Isaac chose a different path. Throughout 2020, he made a choice not to take a knee or wear a BLM shirt. This placed him among the few athletes who opted to stand during the national anthem.
Read More(REVIEW) “Freud’s Last Session” wastes its fantastic premise of pitting C.S. Lewis against Sigmund Freud with boring execution — and a bafflingly underwhelming portrayal that fits an odd pattern by people who often negatively characterize the famed Christian author.
Read MoreCientos de miles de católicos en toda España y en algunas partes del mundo hispanohablante aprovecharon la Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción del viernes para rezar el rosario en las calles en protesta por la represión del gobierno contra las expresiones de fe en público.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Another month, another scandal. That seems to be the case these days with former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. It’s also the case when we talk about Vatican life in the tense era of Pope Francis. The most-recent drama in Rome involves Luca Casarini, who recently took part in the Synod on Synodality as a special nominee of Pope Francis.
Read More(OPINION) By now, I’m sure most people have heard of Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s conversion. Not only because of her fascinating reflection on it, but also because of the countless responses from many different sides.
Read MoreA church in the West Bank city of Bethlehem has politicized its annual nativity scene, laying a figure of baby Jesus amid the rubble of a destroyed masonry building to represent the Gaza Strip this Christmas season.
Read More(REVIEW) “The Mission” is a courageous and well-meaning attempt to wrestle with an important topic, held back by “not knowing what they don’t know” about their own biases much like some of the missionaries in ages past. Hopefully, the filmmakers and audience will use this film as a conversation starter rather than an ender. If they do, the world will be better for it.
Read MoreThe 7,600-island nation of the Philippines — a country known for its warm hospitality and love for celebrations — hosts a unique and extraordinary tradition each year: The longest Christmas celebration in the world. Known by Filipinos as the “BER-Months,” the holiday celebrations start as early as September.
Read More(REVIEW) In 2023 there were several books released that can help ministers think through recent challenges. While the year was filled with many outstanding publications, I found these five particularly helpful for navigating this cultural moment, and all of these are worth the pastor’s time:
Read MoreThe October elections in Mozambique — now confirmed to have been rigged in favor of President Filipe Nyusi’s ruling FRELIMO party — have left the head of the Anglican church in the southern African nation fighting for survival, while a Muslim cleric has already been sacked for endorsing the dubious poll results.
Read More(ANALYSIS) In cultures linked to centuries of Christian tradition, the feast of Christmas — the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ or Christ Mass — was on Dec. 25, the start of a festive 12-day season that ended with the Feast of the Epiphany. Many Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar, celebrating Christmas on Jan. 7.
Read MoreChristians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are seeing improved efforts by the government of the DRC to improve the security situation of their communities. As elsewhere in Africa, faith-based organizations provide much of the educational, health and other social opportunities. Yet, it is precisely for those reasons that Christian groups have often been targeted.
Read More(REVIEW) There’s a picture-perfect version of Thanksgiving that exists in cartoons of overflowing cornucopias and naively cheerful turkeys. It’s meant to celebrate a bountiful harvest, a good meal and time together with loved ones. The real Thanksgiving is a lot more complicated — and unpleasant. A new movie out now captures just that.
Read MoreLibertarian economist and former soccer player Javier Milei was elected Argentina's president, a result that in many ways can be seen as a referendum on Pope Francis’ social agenda in his home nation.
Read More(REVIEW) While “The Shift” takes exciting steps in reviving the faith-based science-fiction genre, it never develops its ideas well enough to rise to the level of its own concepts.
Read MoreThe work of five Ukrainian artists, whose art varies across artistic tradition and highlight the beauty of Ukraine and its people, is currently on view at the Sheen Center’s Janet Hennessey Dilenschneider Gallery. The exhibition, “Beauty During Wartime and Before,” is particularly meant to honor resilience and faith during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Read MoreThe High Court in Uganda has directed members of the Anglican Church to use canon law to resolve conflicts arising from the process of electing their bishops instead of petitioning the country’s courts for legal redress.
Read MoreAyaan Hirsi Ali, a critic of Islam and vocal atheist, has gone through a new conversion — revealing that she’s now a Christian for spiritual and cultural reasons. "I still have a great deal to learn about Christianity,” she said. “I discover a little more at church each Sunday.”
Read More(REVIEW) “Journey To Bethlehem” is a musical heavy on cheesy jokes, but lacks the heart that we expect from a family Christmas movie, including the sacredness we expect from a film about Jesus. Of course, this movie is not without controversy.
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