The American flag flies at half staff outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington Sept. 18 following the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (CNS/Reuters/Al Drago)

How will Ginsburg's death affect the election?

by Michael Sean Winters
Sep 23, 2020

Trump courts Catholic voters at conservative-run National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

by Christopher White
Sep 23, 2020
Commentary

Character counts for Catholic voters

by Patrick Carolan
Sep 23, 2020

Silverstream Priory, founded by conservative US monk, gets visitation

by Christopher White
Sep 23, 2020
Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, weeps during a Sept. 15 news conference announcing a $12 million civil settlement between the Taylor's estate and the city of Louisville, Kentucky. (CNS/Reuters/Bryan Woolston)
Blog | NCR Today

The Francis Effect podcast: Baptism, the Breonna Taylor settlement and Mass in Milwaukee

by NCR Staff
Sep 23, 2020

Listen: NCR's Heidi Schlumpf has joined "The Francis Effect" podcast for its new season as a co-host with Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault. The podcast is available on NCR's site and various podcast apps.

Amy Coney Barrett, controversial Catholic, re-emerges as potential Supreme Court pick

by Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service
Sep 22, 2020

Federal appellate Judge Amy Coney Barrett is emerging as a likely nominee to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, reawakening a debate over Barrett's views on law and religion.

Election 2020: How seven climate-conscious young Christians are deciding their vote

by Brian Roewe
Sep 22, 2020

EarthBeat spoke with seven young Christians about the election, their vote and climate change. All said climate change is affecting their lives, and all see their faith influencing how they vote.

Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaks at a 2018 news conference at the Vatican. (CNS/Paul Haring)

Vatican reaffirms opposition to euthanasia, warns such patients cannot receive sacraments

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 22, 2020

The Vatican is firmly reiterating its objection to the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide, calling the intentional killing of sick patients an "intrinsically evil act" akin to murder and warning that legislators who approve such laws "become accomplices of a grave sin."  

Coronavirus

COVID-19 robbed refugees 'of the little that they had,' says Salesian

by Tonny Onyulo, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

1.4 million refugees in Uganda are facing hunger because of aid disruption, loss of income and rising food prices linked to the COVID-19 crisis. The U.N. Refugee Agency warns that unless urgent action is taken to address the situation, levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anemia are expected to rise, especially among children.

People spend time in conversation following the outdoor Mass at the home of Larry and Diane Kahlscheuer on Washington Island, Wisconsin, Sept. 6. (CNS/The Compass/Sam Lucero)
Editorial

Editorial: It's too early to require Mass attendance during a pandemic

by NCR Editorial Staff
Sep 21, 2020

We say: Resumption of religious services cannot come with a high risk to people's health and indeed their lives

Pelosi to church: 'Follow science' on COVID-19 restrictions

by Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press
Sep 18, 2020

Land of the free, home of the self-centered

by Joan Chittister
Sep 17, 2020

U.S. evangelicals get Israeli visas; Catholics want equal treatment

by Judith Sudilovsky, Catholic News Service
Sep 15, 2020

Cardinal to bishops: Facilitate Mass in person as soon as conditions permit

by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
Sep 14, 2020

Opinion

Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Mike Pence greet each other in New York City Sept. 11, marking the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 aviation terrorist attacks on the U.S. (CNS/Reuters/Amr Alfiky)
Commentary

Character counts for Catholic voters

by Patrick Carolan
Sep 23, 2020

Commentary: Vote Common Good recently commissioned a poll in six swing states to try and define character issues and their importance to voters.

The American flag flies at half staff outside of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington Sept. 18 following the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (CNS/Reuters/Al Drago)

How will Ginsburg's death affect the election?

by Michael Sean Winters
Sep 23, 2020

Distinctly Catholic: The short answer is that the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg helps President Donald Trump in the election. But it is not clear if that help will be significant or not.

The church needs 'notorious' women willing to dissent, too

by Heidi Schlumpf
Sep 22, 2020

Francis, the comic strip

by Pat Marrin
Sep 22, 2020

Links for 9/22/20

by Michael Sean Winters
Sep 22, 2020
Editorial

Editorial: It's too early to require Mass attendance during a pandemic

by NCR Editorial Staff
Sep 21, 2020

Accountability

(Unsplash/Jason Leung)

Church's ongoing clergy abuse scandals recounted in new podcast

by Christopher White
Sep 19, 2020

"Crisis," produced by The Catholic Project at Catholic University of America interviews more than three dozen individuals, including testimonials from abuse survivors, priests, bishops, lawyers and advocates.

Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro (center), who was apostolic nuncio to India and Nepal from Jan. 21, 2017, to Aug. 29, 2020, with a group of Christian media persons in New Delhi on April 25, 2018 (Provided photo)

Vatican envoy's removal from India brings relief for some Catholics

by Jose Kavi
Sep 18, 2020

Pope Francis Aug. 29 suddenly transferred Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, apostolic nuncio to India and Nepal, to Brazil amid accusations of inaction against allegedly corrupt bishops.

Trial of Catholic lay leader highlights gaps in church's sex abuse oversight

by Claire Giangrave, Religion News Service
Sep 17, 2020

Indian nun testifies in closed session of bishop's rape trial

by Saji Thomas
Sep 17, 2020

Accuser and excommunicated priest both wait as sexual violation case drags on

by Peter Feuerherd
Sep 16, 2020

Report abuse learned in confession or go to jail, says Australian state

by Catholic News Service
Sep 8, 2020

Politics

Sr. Norma Pimentel is one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2020

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

Sister Norma Pimentel, a Missionary of Jesus and executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, has received numerous awards over the years for her work in Texas with migrants along the U.S.-Mexican border, and she can now add a new title to her list: one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

President Donald Trump addresses the Sept. 23 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in a prerecorded video from the White House at the close of the livestreamed event. (NCR screenshot)

Trump courts Catholic voters at conservative-run National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

by Christopher White
Sep 23, 2020

President Donald Trump appeared at the conservative-run National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, held virtually Sept. 23, where he announced he was signing an executive order to protect all infants born alive.

US bishops say 'enough' on federal executions

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

How will Ginsburg's death affect the election?

by Michael Sean Winters
Sep 23, 2020

Character counts for Catholic voters

by Patrick Carolan
Sep 23, 2020

Amy Coney Barrett, controversial Catholic, re-emerges as potential Supreme Court pick

by Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service
Sep 22, 2020

Vatican

The Francis Chronicles

True change requires input of everyone, not just the powerful, pope says

by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

The world will not overcome the current crisis if only big businesses, financial institutions and the powerful have a voice, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, during a meeting with members of the International Theological Commission at the Vatican Nov. 29, 2019. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Vatican cardinal defends issuing fidelity oaths to Irish priest Tony Flannery

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 22, 2020

The head of the Vatican's powerful doctrinal congregation Sept. 22 defended his office's request that an Irish priest sign four strict oaths of fidelity to Catholic teachings, saying the move, while "very unpleasant," was part of their duty as the global church's orthodoxy watchdogs.

Vatican reaffirms opposition to euthanasia, warns such patients cannot receive sacraments

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 22, 2020

Papal safeguarding commission meets online and in Rome

by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
Sep 21, 2020

Church becomes sick when not proclaiming Gospel, pope says

by Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service
Sep 21, 2020

'Fratelli tutti' does not include women, and neither does 'fraternity'

by Phyllis Zagano
Sep 21, 2020

Quick Reads

Auction held at home of late priest who lived like a prince

by The Associated Press
Aug 31, 2020

Public invited to attend pope's weekly general audiences starting Sept. 2

by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
Aug 26, 2020

Foundation prize is 'validation' of all Homeboy Industries does, says priest

by Catholic News Service
Aug 18, 2020

Fifth lawsuit accuses retired Bishop Hubbard of Albany of alleged abuse

by Mike Matvey, Catholic News Service
Aug 14, 2020

Surprise ice cream delivery reveals Pope Francis' favorite flavor

by Joshua J. McElwee
Aug 14, 2020

Women priests are possible, says new Vatican finance council member

by Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur
Aug 10, 2020

Parish

Bishop Richard Pates, the current apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, speaks to the 24 chosen participants for the first cohort of the Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative at a Sept. 15 prayer service in Joliet's St. Raymond Nonnatu

Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative partners with Joliet Diocese

by Lucy Grindon
Sep 21, 2020

In 2021, 24 Latino leaders from the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, will start a year of intensive leadership formation. Latinos are underrepresented in church leadership, despite being more than one-third of Catholics in the U.S.

Charlotte Diocese opens college seminary to serve growing Catholic population

by Patricia L. Guilfoyle, SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Service
Sep 18, 2020

It was a day to thank God for sending more laborers to gather his harvest, Diocese of Charlotte leaders said as they blessed and formally opened St. Joseph College Seminary.

Indiana pastor asks parish men to volunteer for firearms training

by Catherine M. Odell
Sep 18, 2020

Vandalism at El Paso Cathedral destroys nearly 90-year-old statue of Jesus

by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service
Sep 16, 2020

Accuser and excommunicated priest both wait as sexual violation case drags on

by Peter Feuerherd
Sep 16, 2020

Oregon's fire: Most churches safe, for now, offering shelter

by Catholic Sentinel Staff, Catholic News Service
Sep 10, 2020

World

Hong Kong cardinal urges unity, trust in God during social turmoil

by Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

The social unrest and divisions in general Hong Kong society have carried over to the Catholic community, said Cardinal John Tong Hon, who encouraged Catholics instead to follow what Jesus taught in the beatitudes.

COVID-19 robbed refugees 'of the little that they had,' says Salesian

by Tonny Onyulo, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

1.4 million refugees in Uganda are facing hunger because of aid disruption, loss of income and rising food prices linked to the COVID-19 crisis. The U.N. Refugee Agency warns that unless urgent action is taken to address the situation, levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and anemia are expected to rise, especially among children.

Silverstream Priory, founded by conservative US monk, gets visitation

by Christopher White
Sep 23, 2020

As federal fiscal year nears, refugee resettlement agencies fear the worst

by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service
Sep 21, 2020

Caritas official: After refugee camp fire, Lesbos locals patrol streets

by Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News Service
Sep 18, 2020

Spanish bishops denounce euthanasia bill

by Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service
Sep 18, 2020

Justice

US bishops say 'enough' on federal executions

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

Just hours before the sixth federal execution took place this year, and two days before the next one was scheduled, two U.S. bishops' committee chairmen called on the government to end this practice.

People sing during Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2011. (CNS/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

White Christians in the US helped build, sustain white supremacist nation, author says

by Madeleine Davison
Sep 19, 2020

The challenge for white Christians today, Robert P. Jones said, is to honestly tell this "barely-hidden" history, and begin to engage in a process of repair and justice.

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Carry on good works

by Mary M. McGlone
Sep 19, 2020

Black sisters urge US Catholics, church leaders to do more to end racism

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service
Sep 18, 2020

Supreme Court to begin new term as it ended last one: by teleconference

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service
Sep 17, 2020

Nuns on the Bus hits the virtual road ahead of US presidential election

by Dan Stockman
Sep 17, 2020

EarthBeat

Lens on Creation: Solving problems upstream

by Paul Jeffrey
Sep 23, 2020

I hate that old saying about how if you want to feed a poor person forever, teach them to fish. The problem, as I've witnessed around the world, is that the rich may fence off the fishing grounds.

Enfocando la Creación: Resolviendo problemas río arriba

by Paul Jeffrey
Sep 23, 2020

Odio el viejo dicho de que si quieres alimentar a un pobre para siempre, enséñale a pescar. El problema, como he visto en todo el mundo, es que los ricos pueden obstaculizar el ingreso a las zonas de pesca.

Fighting for water rights

by Abigail Knopps
Sep 22, 2020

I'm 18 and can already see my Alaska community changed forever by climate change

by Cora Dow, The Guardian
Sep 22, 2020

Election 2020: How seven climate-conscious young Christians are deciding their vote

by Brian Roewe
Sep 22, 2020

Enfocando la Creación: El cielo oscuro de la Creación

by Paul Jeffrey
Sep 21, 2020

Books

(Unsplash/Elly Johnson)

In Marilynne Robinson's fourth Gilead novel, grace gets the last word

by Paul Lakeland
Sep 19, 2020

Book review: Jack is a beautiful if improbable biracial love story, full of joy and sadness, but complicated from the start by its setting in Southern cities in the days of Jim Crow.

Finally, a refreshing new book on millennials and religion

by Rebecca Collins Jordan
Sep 12, 2020

Book review: Back-Pocket God does not tell the usual story of hostility or intergenerational warfare about young adults and faith. Rather, the study suggests that young people have no ill feeling toward organized religion, but no need for it either.

Book takes liberties but is clear Fr. Paolo Dall'Oglio was in love with Islam

by Gabe Huck , Theresa Kubasak
Sep 2, 2020

Author hopes to trace 'an evolution of Catholic storytelling'

by Paul Lakeland
Aug 26, 2020

What happens when you live life 'horizontally, not vertically'

by Bill Mitchell
Aug 19, 2020

Daniel Vaca's history details evangelicalism's rise through the power of its book presses

by Jason Steidl
Aug 12, 2020

People

Sr. Norma Pimentel is one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2020

by Carol Zimmermann, Catholic News Service
Sep 23, 2020

Sister Norma Pimentel, a Missionary of Jesus and executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, has received numerous awards over the years for her work in Texas with migrants along the U.S.-Mexican border, and she can now add a new title to her list: one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

President Donald Trump addresses the Sept. 23 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in a prerecorded video from the White House at the close of the livestreamed event. (NCR screenshot)

Trump courts Catholic voters at conservative-run National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

by Christopher White
Sep 23, 2020

President Donald Trump appeared at the conservative-run National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, held virtually Sept. 23, where he announced he was signing an executive order to protect all infants born alive.

Silverstream Priory, founded by conservative US monk, gets visitation

by Christopher White
Sep 23, 2020

Amy Coney Barrett, controversial Catholic, re-emerges as potential Supreme Court pick

by Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service
Sep 22, 2020

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast award for Barr divides Catholics

by Thomas Reese, Religion News Service
Sep 22, 2020

Vatican cardinal defends issuing fidelity oaths to Irish priest Tony Flannery

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 22, 2020

Spirituality

Pencil Preaching

Traveling light

by Pat Marrin
Sep 22, 2020

Pencil Preaching for Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Pencil Preaching

Living Word

by Pat Marrin
Sep 21, 2020

Pencil Preaching for Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Beloved sinners

by Pat Marrin
Sep 20, 2020

Vineyard of the Lord

by Pat Marrin
Sep 19, 2020

If Christ is not raised

by Pat Marrin
Sep 17, 2020

Love story

by Pat Marrin
Sep 16, 2020

Theology

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, during a meeting with members of the International Theological Commission at the Vatican Nov. 29, 2019. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Vatican cardinal defends issuing fidelity oaths to Irish priest Tony Flannery

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 22, 2020

The head of the Vatican's powerful doctrinal congregation Sept. 22 defended his office's request that an Irish priest sign four strict oaths of fidelity to Catholic teachings, saying the move, while "very unpleasant," was part of their duty as the global church's orthodoxy watchdogs.

Scripture for Life

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Carry on good works

by Mary M. McGlone
Sep 19, 2020

Scripture for Life: Today's Gospel might be the most un-American of all Jesus' parables. This story of equal pay for vastly unequal work just doesn't sit right. How to evaluate the economic justice of this tale?

The complicated reality of Catholic bishops on Twitter

by Daniel P. Horan
Sep 16, 2020

I or we? Vatican sparks baptism controversy that isn't so controversial

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 14, 2020

¡Virgen de la Caridad, save the United States!

by Miguel H. Díaz
Sep 12, 2020

Preaching on the election? Mercy is where we start; the common good is what we aim for.

by James F. Keenan
Sep 9, 2020

Media

Yifei Liu stars in the title role in "Mulan." (CNS/Disney)

A strong and authentic human, feminist theme guides 'Mulan'

by Sr. Rose Pacatte
Sep 19, 2020

Movie review: In the best live-action film to come from Disney in a very long time, the juxtaposition between adversaries Mulan and Xianniang, both women hiding their identity, is one of the high points.

(Unsplash/Elly Johnson)
Book Review

In Marilynne Robinson's fourth Gilead novel, grace gets the last word

by Paul Lakeland
Sep 19, 2020

Book review: Jack is a beautiful if improbable biracial love story, full of joy and sadness, but complicated from the start by its setting in Southern cities in the days of Jim Crow.

Church's ongoing clergy abuse scandals recounted in new podcast

by Christopher White
Sep 19, 2020

Video game review: 'Wanderlight' an engaging way for kids to learn Catholic saints, values

by William Lee
Sep 12, 2020

New documentary explores the 'Good Trouble' instigated by the late John Lewis

by Chris Byrd
Sep 5, 2020

Book takes liberties but is clear Fr. Paolo Dall'Oglio was in love with Islam

by Gabe Huck , Theresa Kubasak
Sep 2, 2020

Global Sisters Report

Some women earn a living by managing this food kiosk, which provides tea, maize and beans to passing businessmen on motorcycles in Juba, South Sudan. (Provided photo)

Let us be bearers of hope in the midst of pain and suffering

I would like to know the plans God has for us in this pandemic. And as critical as social distancing is, I am struggling with it. But what if all this is to draw me into an intimate relationship with God?

Soledad Gómez Navarro teaches history at the Universidad de Córdoba in Spain. (Provided photo)

Q & A with María Soledad Gómez Navarro, historian specializing in the lives of Spanish sisters

by Eleanor Nash
Sep 22, 2020

María Soledad Gómez Navarro is one of only about 20 researchers in the Spanish language who study Catholic sisters. She specializes in the lives of 17th- and 18th-century sisters from Córdoba, Spain.

United Nations at 75: Sisters and their reps discuss its feats, failures

by Chris Herlinger
Sep 21, 2020

This moment needs transformational leaders

by Nancy Sylvester
Sep 21, 2020

Indian nun testifies in closed session of bishop's rape trial

by Saji Thomas
Sep 17, 2020

Wherever you go, the Lord will be with you

Columns

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NCR Today

by multiple authors
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NCR in Conversation

by NCR staff

Decolonizing Faith and Society

by Alex Mikulich
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Eco Catholic

by multiple authors

It's Happening

by Colman McCarthy

NCR Connections

by Heidi Schlumpf

Pencil Preaching

by Pat Marrin

Roundtable

by Ken Briggs

Sunday Resources

by Multiple authors

Distinctly Catholic

by Michael Sean Winters

Faith Seeking Understanding

by Daniel P. Horan

The Francis Chronicles

From Where I Stand

by Joan Chittister

The Gospel of Sports

by Mike Jordan Laskey

Grace on the Margins

by Jamie Manson

Just Catholic

by Phyllis Zagano

Priestly Diary

by Fr. Peter Daly

The Peace Pulpit

by Thomas Gumbleton

Signs of the Times

by Thomas Reese

Simply Spirit

by Christine Schenk

Soul Seeing

by Michael Leach and friends
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Scripture for Life

by Multiple authors
(Carmen Nanko-Fernández)

Theology en la Plaza

by Multiple authors
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Young Voices

by Multiple authors