religion

Religion

Catholics React To Vatican Ban On Clergy Blessing Same-Sex Marriages

6:23am March 16, 2021

NPR's A. Martinez talks to Jamie Manson, president of Catholics for Choice, and a member of the LGBTQ community, about Pope Francis' statement that Catholic clergy can't bless same-sex relationships.

A new message from the Vatican underlines its objection to same-sex marriage. The message cited Pope Francis' own words from 2016.

Vatican Says Catholic Church Cannot Bless Same-Sex Marriages

5:26pm March 15, 2021

by Bill Chappell

"The presence in such relationships of positive elements ... cannot justify these relationships and render them legitimate objects of an ecclesial blessing," the Vatican said Monday.

The Vatican Has Announced The Church 'Cannot' Bless Same-Sex Unions

4:39pm March 15, 2021

by Tom Gjelten

Pope Francis has disappointed pro-LGBTQ Catholics via a Vatican statement that the church cannot bless same-sex unions. He had previously seemed open to an endorsement.

Queue Listen Now

'Unorthodox' Author Chronicles A 'Scandalous Rejection' Of Hasidic Life

2:21pm March 15, 2021

by Dave Davies

Deborah Feldman talks about breaking away from her arranged marriage and the fundamentalist religious community she was raised in. Her 2012 memoir inspired the Netflix series Unorthodox.

Queue Listen Now

"I am still a Baptist, but I can no longer identify with Southern Baptists," said Beth Moore, a prominent evangelical teacher and author, last week. Moore is seen here in 2018.

Prominent Evangelical Beth Moore Announces Split From Southern Baptists

6:39pm March 11, 2021

by Laurel Wamsley

"I am still a Baptist, but I can no longer identify with Southern Baptists," said Moore, a popular author and Bible teacher who has expressed frustration with the church's attitudes toward women.

Catholic Leaders Voice Moral Concerns About Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

7:43am March 11, 2021

by Bobbi-Jeanne Misick

U.S. Catholic bishops advise followers to avoid Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine — calling it morally compromised. Parishioners in New Orleans are figuring out how to respond faithfully.

Queue Listen Now

Faith groups are deeply split over the Equality Act. Evangelicals, Catholics, Latter-day Saints and Orthodox Jews say it limits religious freedom. Mainline Protestants and other progressive faith groups support it.

Some Faith Leaders Call Equality Act Devastating; For Others, It's God's Will

4:23pm March 10, 2021

by Tom Gjelten

Some religious groups fear the Equality Act could undermine the freedom to exercise traditional faith beliefs. Other denominations say anti-LGBTQ discrimination cannot be tolerated.

Queue Listen Now

Pope Francis leaves Iraq Monday after his four-day visit to the country, a first for the papacy. President Biden said the pope and his trip set an example for the entire world.

Pope Francis Defends His Trip To Iraq Despite Infection Risks

6:08pm March 08, 2021

by Dustin Jones

The pope spent four days visiting six cities. He met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric to encourage Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Pope Francis Concludes 1st Papal Visit To Iraq With Mass In Erbil

6:53am March 08, 2021

by Alice Fordham

Pope Francis is back at the Vatican after a historic trip to Iraq, the home of a dwindling but determined Christian community.

Queue Listen Now

A poster in Lausanne, Switzerland, reads "Stop extremism!" The Swiss passed a new ban on facial coverings in public in a narrow 51.2% majority vote Sunday.

Switzerland Approves Ban On Face Coverings In Public

9:06pm March 07, 2021

by Dustin Jones

Swiss voters backed a ban on niqabs and burqas worn by a handful of Muslim women in the country. A Muslim advocacy group called it Islamophobic.