Letter from Pope Francis express support for James Martin’s LGBTQ ministry (National Catholic Register) In a personal letter sent to Jesuit Fr. James Martin dated June 21, Pope Francis expressed support for his controversial ministry and encouraged him to “continue this way”…
Case of fired Catholic school teacher tests limits of religious freedom (The New York Times) An appeals court has twice sided with the ex-teacher, Victoria Crisitello. But last month, the state’s highest court, acting on an appeal by the school, agreed to hear the case, signaling a willingness to wade into the highly charged debate over the relationship between the government and religion…
Catholic Church gains foothold in Communist Cuba (AFP) In Cuba, where communism and religion live uneasily side by side, there is a city where it is no longer strange to see a priest walk down the street in a white cassock followed by enthusiastic greetings of “Good day, Father!” A small order of Catholic clergy have become a beloved and indispensable part of the community in Placetas, offering survival essentials to its economically devastated population of about 40,000 souls…
Catholic agency offers help after Florida building collapse (CNS) Speaking by phone from the temporary reunification center for family, friends and displaced residents desperate for information about the collapsed Champlain Towers Condo in the beach town of Surfside, a senior director of community based services for Miami Catholic Charities said she arrived at the “ground zero” site the afternoon the collapse. “I have worked hurricanes, but nothing like this: It is just a look of sadness you see on everyone’s face. It is heartbreaking,” said Jackie Carrion, who said her agency is making temporary Catholic Charities housing and material assistance available following the catastrophe…
Two more Catholic churches burned down in Canada (CBC) Two more Catholic churches on reserves in British Columbia’s southern Interior burned down Saturday morning. Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Keith Crow says he received a call at about 4 a.m. PT that the Chopaka church was on fire. By the time he arrived about 30 minutes later, it had burned to the ground. “I’m angry,” Crow said. “I don’t see any positive coming from this and it’s going to be tough”…
Some Catholics struggle with discovery of unmarked graves in Canada (CBC) The discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential schools in Saskatchewan and British Columbia has prompted some Catholics to reflect and rethink aspects of their religion. Janis Joseph, a B.C. woman born into a Catholic family and whose four children attend Catholic school, hasn’t been to church since the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced in late May that as many as 215 children could be buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. “You look at what you’ve been praying to and what has gotten you through the hard times and the good times,” Joseph said. “You wonder, not that it’s been a lie, but it’s just been this hoax that’s been held over your head”…
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