Justices flip the script on COVID-19 worship bans, but top health official urges closures

Ongoing court battles pit religious groups vs. governmental regulations designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Weekend Plug-in highlights the latest developments and runs down the week’s top reads in the world of faith.

Pope Francis' new book: Don't rely on news coverage for what's in it

(OPINION) That Pope Francis would put his name on a book — written by a British author — criticizing the United States, its media and politics without understanding the First Amendment is a major shortfall of the project. There is also more to this book that the mainstream secular press did not highlight — like the pope’s staunch opposition to abortion.

In a crazy year, a reason to give thanks — plus the week's top religion reads

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores Thanksgiving in the age of COVID-19. As always, we also check out the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Weekend Plug-In, Analysis, Religion, Religion News, OpinionBobby Ross Jr.November 20, 2020Bobby Ross Jr.

Who's to blame for McCarrick depends on what news sources you read

(OPINION) A week after the Vatican released its much-anticipated investigation of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, there remain many unanswered questions. Whether journalists will delve deeply into these unanswered questions remains to be seen.

How Did Friday the 13th Become So Unlucky?

Friday the 13th is a day marked by superstition, as it’s believed to be extremely unlucky. This belief dates back to early Christianity.

Lies, damned lies, statistics: For Biden, religious vote was crucial — maybe

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores whether religious voters were important to President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Plus, check out the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

McCarrick report: Vatican hierarchy downplayed past sex abuse reports

A long-awaited Vatican probe into ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick found that many in the Catholic hierarchy — starting with Pope John Paul II — continuously turned a blind eye to a series of red flags that he’d sexually abused children and seminarians.

Biden elected second Catholic U.S. president in history: What does it mean for a divided nation?

(ANALYSIS) Former Vice President Joe Biden’s Catholicism often helped shape his politics as did a family tragedy earlier in his life. Biden promises unity post-Trump, but how he governs could ultimately result in an even bigger political split in the U.S. over the next four years.

Faith and foster care: 5 key numbers as SCOTUS case pits religion vs. gay rights

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the latest Supreme Court case pitting religious freedom vs. gay rights, while running down the key religion news that emerged from Election Day.

5 things we learned about faith voters this election cycle

(ANALYSIS) From exit poll results to the outcome of several ballot measures, here’s how religious denominations impacted the U.S. elections.

Religious voters to have a big say following contentious campaign

Americans cast their votes Tuesday to decide between giving President Trump another four-year term or whether to elect challenger Joe Biden.

Faith and politics: 5 revealing questions to ask on Election Night

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights seven questions that smart religion journalists will be asking on Election Night. Also, catch up on the week’s top reads and headlines in the world of religion news.

For many Americans, religion will play a major role on Election Day

Just days before Election Day, a new poll finds that four in 10 Americans factor in personal religious beliefs into their voting decisions.

Pope Francis' civil union media storm unleashes doctrinal infighting

(OPINION) The pope — as head of the church — had in three sentences changed Catholicism forever. Not so fast, said numerous on-the-record voices in the world of Catholicism.

Catholic Leaders React To Francis' Support For Same-Sex Unions

(ANALYSIS) The disoriented juxtaposition of Catholic Church teaching on marriage with the comments of Pope Francis on civil unions of same-sex couples was not lost on Catholic leaders worldwide, who expressed concern, confusion and anger in response.

Will U.S. Catholics split their vote this year?

(OPINION) Trying to gauge voter enthusiasm is difficult. While Trump voters do seem generally more energized — especially among evangelicals and church-going Catholics — compared to Biden supporters, the events of the past few weeks in Washington may have shifted priorities.

In Uganda, bishops suspend clergy who enter politics ahead of general election

Despite a conflict with church law, a growing number of priests in Uganda are running for political office ahead of general elections in February. Many Christians in Uganda are dissatisfied with the current government’s protections for religious freedom.

Politics, Religion, Africa, NewsJohn SemakulaOctober 16, 2020Uganda, John Semakula, Primary Feature, Uganda electionComment

No anti-Catholic sequel: Democrats avoid the dogma at Barrett's hearings

At the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats steered clear of Barrett’s religion, even as Republicans focused on it. This week’s Weekend Plug-in has that news, plus all the top headlines and best reads from the world of faith.

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict: Inside the religious fight for Nagorno-Karabakh

(ANALYSIS) What was a nominally a little-known conflict regarding the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region — also known as Artsakh — claimed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan has erupted into a full-scale war with an estimated thousands of soldiers on both sides killed in intense fighting.

‘Chinese female Jesus’ stalks Indian youth on social media, alarming church leaders

A Chinese church now operating out of New York claims Jesus returned as a woman in China, upsetting Christian leaders in India wary of the group’s appeal among young Christians.

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