All articles tagged with #catholics
LGBTQ Catholics participated in a Jubilee event at St. Peter’s Basilica, symbolizing increased acceptance and visibility within the Catholic Church, despite the Pope not meeting with pilgrims personally.
In Brazil, the Catholic population has declined from 82.9% to 56.7% over 30 years, while evangelicals have grown to 26.9%, becoming a significant political and cultural force. The number of people with no religious affiliation and followers of Afro-Brazilian religions has also increased, reflecting changing religious dynamics and increased acceptance of diverse faiths.
Rep. Jim Jordan warns that the recent allegations of FBI monitoring of Catholics align with President Biden's characterization of "MAGA Republicans" as a threat to democracy. The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Jordan, released a report on the FBI's plan to monitor Catholics for suspected domestic terrorism. The FBI interviewed a priest and choir director despite lacking legitimate grounds for involvement in churches. Jordan points to the case of a pro-life activist who was arrested by the FBI outside an abortion clinic, only to have the charges dropped later. Jordan criticizes the FBI's behavior and references Biden's speech where he labeled Trump-supporting Republicans as extremists. Jordan argues against funding the relocation of the FBI headquarters, which is currently under investigation by the inspector general.
New evidence suggests that the FBI's probe into targeting Catholics as "extremists" was more widespread than initially admitted, raising concerns about trust in law enforcement as conservatives and progressive liberals alike lose faith in the FBI and local police forces. This lack of trust is leading to a decline in law enforcement personnel and an increase in crime rates.
Catholics declare victory over Dodgers' "pride night" ceremony honoring a pornographic Catholic hate group known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The pride event itself barely registered, with only two of the brave and proud Sisters daring to show their clown-painted faces. Meanwhile, thousands of Catholics peacefully protested outside Dodger Stadium, carrying American and religious flags and holding signs saying things like “No Anti-Catholic Hate.” The Los Angeles Archdiocese chose to “remain neutral” and refused to send any representatives to the event. The battle is part of a larger culture war in California, where the legislature is racking up win after win for LGBTQ+ ideology, including a new bill that would make any parents who do not “gender-affirm” their child guilty of child abuse.
Catholics for Catholics plans to protest the Dodgers' honoring of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity organization made up of queer nuns in drag, during the team's Pride Night festivities. The protest is expected to be peaceful and prayerful, but attendees are warned of potential hostility from protestors. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have no issue with the protest and plan to attend the game to accept their award. The organization is known for raising awareness and money for LGBTQ causes and providing comfort to members of that community.
Pope Francis expresses his closeness to Chinese Catholics, especially those who suffer, as the Church marks the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China. He invites all Christians to pray that the Gospel may be proclaimed in its fullness, beauty, and freedom, bearing fruit for the good of the Catholic Church and all of Chinese society. The World Day of Prayer for the Church in China was instituted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007 and is held annually on the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, venerated and invoked at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai.
The Diocese of Fort Wayne and South Bend has announced that Catholics can celebrate St. Patrick's Day with corned beef by attending Holy Mass, reciting the rosary for intention of peace in the world, or spending 30 minutes of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament instead of abstaining from eating meat during Lent. This commutation is meant to preserve the penitential spirit of a Lenten Friday while also allowing for the celebration of a great saint.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has granted a dispensation to Catholics allowing them to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day, which falls on a Friday during Lent, a day when Catholics are not supposed to eat meat. However, Catholics are encouraged to give up something else. All of New Jersey's dioceses are also making the exception.
The Portland diocese in Maine has announced that Catholics in the state can eat meat this Friday, March 19, which is typically a day of abstinence from meat during Lent. The exemption is due to St. Patrick's Day falling on a Wednesday during Lent, and the diocese has encouraged Catholics to still observe abstinence on other Fridays during the season.