Julius Rinzel and Ivan Howe play teenage altar servers in "The Saviors," written by Bubba Weiler and directed by Jack Serio. The off-Broadway show is produced by the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. (Ahron R. Foster)

In 'The Saviors,' a playwright makes space for questions of faith

Culture

Bubba Weiler's off-Broadway show is about two eighth-grade altar servers whose encounter with a homeless man in the church leaves them asking questions about Catholicism, God and, ultimately, themselves.  

The Latest

Supreme Court sets date for case over Catholic preschools and Colorado's 'universal' program

OSV News

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Faith is a dynamic journey

Grammy-winning rap music producer Cam Obi on his conversion to Catholicism

Nate Tinner-Williams, Black Catholic Messenger

Editors' Choice

In Focus

During summer lull, conservative bishops call for more Latin Mass, less synodality

The news vacuum created during Leo's absence gave conservative voices abundant material to shape the summer's Catholic news cycle.

Support journalism that matters. 

Your donation to NCR keeps independent Vatican news accessible to all. 

Donate Now

Most Read Stories

Pope Francis greets Albanian Cardinal Ernest Simoni at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Feb. 14, 2024. (CNS/Vatican Media)
Vatican News

#1
Pope Leo writes to 97-year-old cardinal who spent 18 years in labor camps

On Christmas Eve 1963, Ernest Simoni,, then a young priest, was arrested by the communist regime of Enver Hoxha after offering a Mass for the soul of assassinated U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

ByCourtney Mares, OSV News
A 12th-century painting of St. Francis with Angels by an unknown artist known as the Master of St. Francis is on display at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, Feb. 22, 2026. The basilica encompasses the chapel St. Francis helped restore in Assisi called the Porziuncola and where the saint founded the Franciscan order. (OSV News/Courtney Mares)

#2
2 years after leaving religious life: Reflections on grace, marriage and clericalism

After receiving a formal dispensation to leave the Franciscan order and priestly ministry, Daniel P. Horan reflects on his supportive transition into lay life, his recent marriage and his conversations with other former priests and religious.

ByDaniel P. Horan
A file photo shows students at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., receiving Communion during a Mass and rally for the opening of the school year. (OSV News/Tom Tracy)

#3
Florida AG's threat to Catholic schools 'clear violation' of the First Amendment, law scholar says

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to the Catholic bishops of Florida demanding that Catholic schools in the Sunshine State adopt religious exemptions to vaccine requirements or risk their ability to participate in the state's school voucher program.

ByKate Scanlon, OSV News

#4
During summer lull, conservative bishops call for more Latin Mass, less synodality

#5
Msgr. Rossetti resumes deliverance ministry after removal as DC exorcist

#6
New leader of US Franciscans: Pope Leo 'trying to hold the church together'

Opinion

We need a biblical view of American history

Guest Voices

Beyond saying no: The church’s answer to assisted suicide

Guest Voices
An undated photo shows a Carmelite sister combing a resident's hair at Ozanam Hall in Bayside, the New York borough of Queens. On July 30, 2026, a judge temporarily shielded four orders of women religious and Catholic healthcare ministries from enforcement of a New York state law allowing physicians to aid terminally ill adults in dying by suicide. (OSV News/Courtesy Becket)

Court spares New York nuns — for now — from complying with assisted dying law

Guest Voices

The nuns are safe for now, but anyone else who won't abide by the law risks losing their individual and/or facility licenses and ending up in jail.

The quiet revolution at the Vatican

NCR Voices

Synodality requires engagement with LGBTQ Catholics — and not just the 'right' ones

Guest Voices

Michigan Senate primary: Where is the Democratic party headed?

NCR Voices

The contest pits four-term Rep. Haley Stevens, who positions herself as a moderate who gets things done, against Abdul El-Sayed, running as a progressive intent on shaking up the political system.

Vatican

The pontiff prayed for peace in the Holy Land, and in Ukraine and Russia. He also prayed for Colombia following an earthquake there.

Pope Leo at Angelus: Mary a sign of hope, consolation for the world

The pontiff prayed for peace in the Holy Land, and in Ukraine and Russia. He also prayed for Colombia following an earthquake there.

A coin with Pope Leo XIV's portrait is seen in an image from the Governorate of Vatican City State. (OSV News/Courtesy of Governatorato SCV)

New Vatican City coins feature Pope Leo XIV's face

The new Vatican coins are the first in nearly a decade to feature a pope's face since Francis requested in 2017 that his portrait no longer appear on Vatican coins.

ByCourtney Mares, OSV News
The Leo Chronicles: Leo writes his talks for when he visits the U.S. But he and the president disagree on almost every issue.

The Leo Chronicles: What would Leo and Trump talk about?

The Leo Chronicles: Leo writes his talks for when he visits the U.S. But he and the president disagree on almost every issue.

ByPat Marrin

During summer lull, conservative bishops call for more Latin Mass, less synodality

The news vacuum created during Leo's absence gave conservative voices abundant material to shape the summer's Catholic news cycle.

ByJustin McLellan

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Pope Leo to meet with clergy abuse survivors during upcoming trip to France

Vatican News

Pope urges young people in Assisi gathering to reject power and choose peace

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV's visit to South America in November to include cities in Peru

EarthBeat

Students at the University of Dayton help grow a variety of produce on the campus' Flyer Farm, a 3-acre urban agriculture project. Most of what grows at the farm is given away to feed the hungry across the Dayton region. (Courtesy of University of Dayton)

University of Dayton returns to its roots with campus farm that feeds its Ohio community

The small operation at Flyer Farm provides a learning lab for students and demonstrates how urban agriculture can be done "just about anywhere you can find space." 

Latin America: Bishops express solidarity with Colombia as death toll surpasses 250

Messages of solidarity from bishops' conferences across Latin America poured in as rescue workers race against time to save victims still trapped beneath the rubble in multiple cities across Colombia.

ByJunno Arocho Esteves, OSV News

Pope Leo XIV offers prayers, condolences as bishops urge solidarity following Colombia earthquake

Pope Leo XIV said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction following a powerful earthquake that struck Colombia, leaving more than 100 dead and dozens of collapsed buildings.

ByJunno Arocho Esteves, OSV News

Young African Catholics say faith inspires their fight against climate change

Across East Africa, young Catholics are transforming Pope Francis' call to care for creation into climate education and advocacy, arguing that protecting the environment is as much a religious obligation as attending church.

ByFrederick Nzwili, Religion News Service

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Catholics sees outpouring of grace after EF-3 tornado; Wisconsin storm miraculously took no lives

Lawsuit seeks fossil fuel-free 401(k) plan on religious grounds

Spokane bishop calls for prayers, outreach as wildfires ravage area

Culture

Cam Obi, a music producer and musician who has worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, converted to Catholicism at the Easter Vigil. He was baptized at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Courtesy of Cam Obi)

Grammy-winning rap music producer Cam Obi on his conversion to Catholicism

The producer, rapper, husband and father has been on a spiritual journey for several years, culminating in his conversion to Catholicism this year at the Easter Vigil. 

Julius Rinzel and Ivan Howe play teenage altar servers in "The Saviors," written by Bubba Weiler and directed by Jack Serio. The off-Broadway show is produced by the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. (Ahron R. Foster)

In 'The Saviors,' a playwright makes space for questions of faith

Bubba Weiler's off-Broadway show is about two eighth-grade altar servers whose encounter with a homeless man in the church leaves them asking questions about Catholicism, God and, ultimately, themselves.  

ByJim McDermott
Sr. Sandra Smithson, a School Sister of St. Francis (School Sisters of St. Francis)
Book Reviews

New book explores life of Sr. Sandra Smithson, pioneering Black Catholic nun in Tennessee

The new text from journalist Theresa Laurence covers a woman who battled racism and educational neglect in Nashville for more than four decades.

ByNate Tinner-Williams, Black Catholic Messenger

'Listen': The Gospel according to Spielberg

From childhood, Steven Spielberg was taught that the most important spiritual act he could do is listen. His filmography upholds it.

ByMichael Leach

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Violence against the virgin: The long history of Marian art defacement

4 teens take justice into vigilante hands in 'The Altar Boys'

Book Reviews

New book by feminist theologian takes on clericalism, racism and the work of repair

Jericho Walk

Hundreds of Catholic sisters confront racism, migration and violence in LCWR Jericho Walk

On the final day of the LCWR annual assembly, Aug. 14, sisters took part in a walk to lament, pray for, and advocate on issues including forced migration, racism and climate change.

Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Nirmalini (CNS/GSR/Thomas Scaria)

Head of India's women religious appointed consultor to consecrated life dicastery

Apostolic Carmel Sr. Maria Nirmalini is one of six sisters appointed as consultors.

ByThomas Scaria
cellphone icons, including one for mail
Columns

Today's wisdom of Solomon

"God is calling each of us to cultivate the wisdom and understanding God knows we need for this world today," writes Sr. Kelly Williams.

By
In Liberia, nearly 30% of the population lives more than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the nearest health facility. Since 2007, Last Mile Health has partnered with the Ministry of Health to build a workforce of community health workers who cross footbridges and canoe rivers to bring life-saving care to remote communities. The group now serves every county nationwide. (©Last Mile Health)

African group dedicated to primary healthcare receives 2026 Hilton Prize

Last Mile Health supports more than 20,000 professional health workers in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi and Sierra Leone, providing primary healthcare to more than 32 million people. 

ByChris Herlinger

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Catholic nuns among the last providing migrant aid at California border

What India can teach us amid an energy crisis

Monday Starter: Benedictine nuns in Pennsylvania honored with civic engagement award