Catholic Church Topics

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  • Pinksmoke-2

    Pink Smoke at the Vatican: Women Demand a Voice in Catholic Church Led by "Old Celibate Men"

    While the world focused on the conclave selecting Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio to become pope, a protest took place outside that received far less attention. Protesters demanding a greater role for women in the Catholic Church released pink smoke into the air over the Vatican. Their actions came as many were waiting for white smoke, the signal a new pope had been chosen. We speak with Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women’s...
    Mar 15, 2013 | Story
  • Pope_banner

    The New Pope

    A Papal Conclave has selected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the first pontiff from Latin America and not to hail from Europe in more than 1,000 years. News reports indicate that in 2005, a human rights lawyer filed a criminal complaint against Bergoglio that accused him of conspiring with the military government in 1976 to kidnap two Jesuit priests. Bergoglio was a superior at the Society of Jesus of Argentina in...
    Mar 14, 2013 | DN! In Depth
  • Pinksmokevatican

    Pink Smoke Over the Vatican: Women Demand Greater Role in the Catholic Church

    While the world waited for white smoke to flow from the Sistine Chapel chimney to indicate a new pope had been chosen, smoke of a different color began billowing into the sky over the Vatican. It was released by protesters demanding a greater role for women in the Catholic Church.
    Mar 14, 2013 | Web Exclusive
  • Pope_bergoglio-1

    Pope Francis: First Latin American, Jesuit Pope Picked to Head Church; Praised for Work with Poor

    Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was picked Wednesday to become the first pope from Latin America and the first not to hail from Europe in more than 1,000 years. Bergoglio is viewed as a theological conservative who has staunchly opposed abortion, same-sex marriage and the ordination of women, but he has been praised for his devotion to the poor. We speak to Tom Roberts, editor-at-large at the National Catholic Reporter and author of...
    Mar 14, 2013 | Story
  • Pope_bergoglio-2

    Pope Francis' Junta Past: Argentine Journalist on New Pontiff's Ties to Abduction of Jesuit Priests

    While praised for his work with the poor, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio — now Pope Francis — has long been dogged by accusations of his role during Argentina’s military dictatorship. We speak to Horacio Verbitsky, a leading Argentine journalist who exposed Francis’ connection to the abduction of two Jesuit priests. Verbitsky is an investigative journalist for the newspaper Página/12, or Page/12, and head of the Center...
    Mar 14, 2013 | Story
  • Pope_bergoglio-4

    A Social Conservative: Pope Francis Led Effort Against Liberation Theology and Same-Sex Marriage

    During the military dictatorship in Argentina, the new pope openly criticized liberation theology’s combination of religious teachings and calls for social justice. His social conservative streak continued when he was elevated to cardinal in Argentina. In 2010, he called the Argentine government’s legalization of gay marriage "an attempt to destroy God’s plan" and opposed adoption by gay couples. We discuss Pope Francis’...
    Mar 14, 2013 | Story
  • Pope_1

    Fascism in the Church: Ex-Priest on "The Pope's War," Clergy Abuse and Quelling Liberation Theology

    As Pope Benedict XVI steps down today, we turn to a former Catholic priest who was silenced and expelled by the pope, then-Cardinal Ratzinger, in the 1980s. Matthew Fox chronicles his story in the book "The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved." Pope Benedict’s tenure was marked by several scandals, most notably his handling of the widening sexual abuse scandals...
    Feb 28, 2013 | Story
  • Pope_razinger_resigns

    After Pope Benedict, Progressive Catholics and Priest Victims Call for a More Inclusive Papacy

    Speculation is mounting over who will become the next pope after Pope Benedict XVI shocked the Catholic Church on Monday when he became the first pontiff to resign in almost 600 years. Benedict’s resignation comes as the Catholic Church is facing scrutiny over its handling of the widening priest sexual abuse scandal and its crackdown on liberal nuns. We’re joined by Barbara Blaine of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,...
    Feb 12, 2013 | Story
  • Mea_maxima_culpa

    "Mea Maxima Culpa": New Doc Exposes Horror of Catholic Child Sex Abuser and Heroism of His Victims

    "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God," a new documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, investigates how a charismatic priest in Milwaukee abused more than 200 deaf children in a Catholic boarding school under his control. The young students were molested again and again by Father Lawrence Murphy, who stalked them in their dorm rooms at night, on trips to his rural cabin, and even in the confessional booth. Gibney,...
    Nov 13, 2012 | Story
  • Scott_dibble

    Minnesota Anti-Gay Constitutional Amendment Fuels National Battle over Marriage Equality

    Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington will decide November 6 whether to recognize same-sex marriage, potentially marking the first time such marriages are legalized by popular vote. However, in Minnesota, opponents of same-sex marriage are pushing a constitutional amendment to define "marriage" as a union between a man and a woman. Thirty-two states have previously held votes on same-sex marriage, and each time voters have opposed...
    Oct 18, 2012 | Story