As a theologian who studies church apologies for historical wrongs, I understand why the Pope was moved to speak this week, but I hope this was not his definitive apology.
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To qualify as a Catholic ‘saint,’ someone must have two miracles credited to them. But how does the church define a miracle in the first place?
Joe Biden may be only the country’s second Catholic president, but a long line of U.S. leaders have met with popes over the years.
Pope Francis formally opened a two-year process called a “synod on synodality” for the Catholic Church on Oct. 10.
A French report on the scale of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy is the latest revelation in the crisis, but its roots go back decades – or more. Here are a few of our many related articles.
Biden is not the first public figure to whom the Catholic Church wants to deny Communion. Over the centuries, the Church has often come under criticism for either denying or giving Communion.
A debate over whether President Biden’s views on abortion disqualify him from taking Communion serves to expose a rift between US bishops and the pope, and is a threat to the church itself.
Communion is the central act of Catholic worship. So why are some US bishops trying to stop President Joe Biden – a devout Catholic – from partaking?
The Vatican has clarified that Pope Francis’ support of civil unions did not change church doctrine. A theologian explains what Francis is doing is departing from Catholic rhetoric on the family.
The pontiff hasn’t changed church teaching on marriage in indicating support for same-sex civil unions. Rather, he is reminding Catholics they should be concerned about justice for all.
The pope’s message also highlights Brexit, racism and inequality as ‘dark clouds over a closed world’.
As religious sites put pilgrimages on hold, a whole industry in travel, transport and accommodation takes a hit.
As Pope Francis becomes the first pontiff in the nuclear era to call for total disarmament, all of us – whether secular or religious – can engage through creative and proactive moral responsibility.
Early Christians were urged to ‘supervise’ one another. In the present times, that theology is often used by the Vatican for a religious investigation a known as the apostolic visitation.
Joe Biden was denied communion for pro-choice views. Catholics with ‘unforgiven’ sins can’t receive communion. A theologian says many Catholics would question if Biden was indeed in a ‘sinful’ state.
Pope Francis recently completed a tour of three African nations. His visit needs to be understood in the context of the church’s long history in Africa and its modern-day difficulties.
Last year, Pennsylvania’s grand jury report uncovered sexual abuse allegations by over 300 priests. A scholar explains how the report may have helped survivors come to terms with a painful past.
A recent Vatican commission report on women’s ordination as deacons was inconclusive. But allowing women priests would help the Catholic Church achieve much-needed reform.
The Vatican will open its archives on Pope Pius XII next year. An expert explains the papacy of Pope Pius XII and the fear of communism confronting much of the Western world at the time.
While Pope Francis has publicly acknowledged sexual abuse by clergy, the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church still makes it difficult to report and address cases of abuse.
Top contributors
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Professor of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross
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Instructor and Associate Director, Case Western Reserve University
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Professor of Public Theology and Director of The Bernardin Center, Catholic Theological Union
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Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, Villanova University
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Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania
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Professor of Theology, Australian Catholic University
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Associate Professor, Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide
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Timothy W. Jones is a Friend of The Conversation.
Associate Professor in History, La Trobe University
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Professor of Evidence Law, University of Sydney
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Director of the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy, University of Divinity
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Lecturer in Ethics & Philosophy, University of Notre Dame Australia
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Associate Professor of Religious History, University of Reading
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Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross
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Professor of history, Queen's University Belfast
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Professor, School of International Relations, University of St Andrews
