Author - The Journal

Some abortion foes question tactical wisdom of new Texas ban

The new Texas law that bans most abortions in the state has been welcomed by many of the religious leaders who help bolster the anti-abortion movement. Yet some abortion opponents in U.S. re...

DATE: Sep 15, 2021 | CATEGORY: Religion

Jesuits in U.S. pledge $100M for racial reconciliation

The U.S.-based branch of the Jesuits has unveiled ambitious plans for a “truth and reconciliation” initiative in partnership with descendants of people once enslaved by the Roman Catholic or...

DATE: Mar 19, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

LGBTQ rights bill ignites debate over religious liberty

A sweeping bill that would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people is a top priority of President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress. Yet as the Equality Act heads to the Se...

DATE: Mar 10, 2021 | CATEGORY: Faith

United Methodist conservatives plan for a breakaway

Church could split over differences about LGBTQ issues

DATE: Mar 6, 2021 | CATEGORY: Faith

Catholic schools hit by unprecedented enrollment drop

But some cities in West see rise in students numbers

DATE: Feb 21, 2021 | CATEGORY: Faith

More U.S. churches are committing to racism-linked reparations

NEW YORK – The Episcopal Diocese of Texas acknowledges that its first bishop in 1859 was a slaveholder. An Episcopal church in New York City erects a plaque noting the building’s creation in...

DATE: Dec 18, 2020 | CATEGORY: Local News

Exorcism: Increasingly frequent, including after U.S. protests

In popular culture, exorcism often serves as a plot device in chilling films about demonic possession. This month, two Roman Catholic archbishops showed a different face of exorcism – perfor...

DATE: Nov 5, 2020 | CATEGORY: Faith

Amid pandemic challenges, houses of worship show resiliency

The coronavirus pandemic has posed daunting challenges for houses of worship across the U.S., often entailing large financial losses and suspension of in-person services. It also has sparked...

DATE: Oct 9, 2020 | CATEGORY: Living

In battleground states, Catholics a pivotal swing vote

For decades, Roman Catholic voters have been a pivotal swing vote in U.S. presidential elections, with a majority backing the winner – whether Republican or Democrat – nearly every time. ...

DATE: Sep 25, 2020 | CATEGORY: Faith

With split delayed, United Methodists face a year in limbo

Church divided over same-sex marriage, LGBTQ pastors

DATE: May 19, 2020 | CATEGORY: Faith

Pandemic, border crackdown hamper Catholics’ aid to migrants

NOGALES, Mexico – For years, Catholic-led, U.S.-based nonprofits have been at the forefront of efforts to support migrants and asylum-seekers along the Mexican border. Tough new border polic...

DATE: Apr 10, 2020 | CATEGORY: Faith

Church membership in U.S. plummets over past 20 years

NEW YORK – The percentage of U.S. adults who belong to a church or other religious institution has plunged by 20 percentage points over the past two decades, hitting a low of 50% last year, ...

DATE: May 4, 2019 | CATEGORY: Faith