Religion News Service

Former President Donald Trump seemed to frame himself as leading an existential fight against liberal foes, defending America from an attack on the Christian faith.

Pope Francis' flurry of activity in August, seemingly setting the stage for his successor, has fueled rumors of an impending resignation.

Catholic bishops from Colorado asked Catholic lawmakers who voted in favor of abortion rights legislation earlier this year to "voluntarily refrain from Holy Communion," according to an open letter signed June 6 and provided to Religion News Service.

Thomas Reese: The U.S. Catholic bishops are killing off Catholic News Service, one of their most successful national programs. God bless all the CNS journalists who over the years dedicated their lives to the church. They did wonderful work they can be proud of. It is sad to see them go. 

Eco-kosher and eco-halal devotees are less concerned with strict religious approval than faith-based food justice. These ideas are gaining ground as more religious communities see the concept of food justice — the right to eat fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and locally grown food — as part of their faith's mission

Thomas Reese: The pope has made the College of Cardinals more Asian and African — and more likely to elect a successor who will follow his policies.

Since San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone barred House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving the Eucharist in his jurisdiction on May 20, three other bishops from the conservative wing of the U.S. Catholic Church have followed, citing her support for abortion rights as cause to invalidate her right to the sacrament.

Phyllis Zagano: The battle between San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may be seen more broadly as one battle in a decades-long disintegration of trust between women and the bishops. 

Thomas Reese: Before he dies or retires, Pope Francis needs to make changes in the process of electing a new pope to avoid the possibility of a deadlocked conclave.

"The transition to a cleaner future can also be a transition to a more just and equitable future," former Vice President Al Gore said  to about 100 representatives of Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Native American traditions at a Black Interfaith Project event on May 17.

Two days after San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone announced he would bar her from receiving the Eucharist in her home city due to her stance on abortion rights, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly received the sacrament at a Catholic church in the nation's capital.

The damage from mining projects in Brazil goes beyond deforestation, the country's bishops say. The effects include death from disease and higher rates of murder and sexual assault.

"We want to expand what people think, when they think of who has a stake in reproductive justice, and how it relates to religion," said one of the film's directors.

Thomas Reese: There are numerous signs that the Catholic Church is failing in Western countries. There are few vocations, church attendance is down and young people are leaving the church in droves. Why?

Ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected to overturn Roe v. Wade, experts warn that faith-fueled right-wing extremist groups may be planning to appear at other events to challenge supporters of abortion rights.

Thomas Reese: Except for ending abortion, the Republican Party has little to offer the bishops. The bishops got what they wanted out of this alliance; it is time to move on.

Pope Francis' two-day visit to the tiny European country of Malta put a spotlight on Malta's complicated history and important contemporary concerns.

 A number of polls in recent days have shown that a majority of Americans think abortion should be legal; a new Pew Research survey is no exception.

Catholic bishops in California have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case challenging a state law that expands the time survivors of childhood sexual assault have to file their claims.