United Methodist Church regrets Ivory Coast’s split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa
Harare, Zimbabwe AP Leaders of the United Methodist Church expressed regret over last week’s decision by the branch in Ivory Coast to leave the union following the church’s decision to repeal a long-standing ban on LGBTQ+ clergy but pledged to accept it. The developments were the latest in a series of ripple effects in conservative Africa, […]
Iraq postpones vote on bill including death penalty for same-sex acts
Baghdad, Iraq Reuters Iraqi lawmakers postponed voting on Monday on a bill that includes the death penalty or life in prison for same-sex relations – a measure that diplomats from Western countries said could have serious consquences for Iraq’s political and economic ties if it goes through. Parliament was in session on Monday, with the […]
Essay: A dramatic schism over social issues? The United Methodist Church has been here before – but this time, America’s religious landscape is far different
CHRISTOPHER H EVANS, in an article first published on The Conversation, looks at the parallels between the current UMC schism and that which took place in 1844…
Women’s voices being heard at Vatican’s big meeting on church’s future, nun says
Rome, Italy AP A prominent Irish nun said Monday that women’s voices are being heard at Pope Francis’ big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church, and said delegates are also acknowledging the hurt caused by the church’s position on homosexuality. Sister Patricia Murray, executive secretary of the main umbrella group of women’s religious […]
UN rights chief urges Uganda’s President Museveni not to sign bill prescribing death, life sentence for LGBTQ people
Kampala, Uganda The United Nations High Commissioners for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has asked President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda not to sign the anti-homosexuality bill that was passed by the country’s parliament on Tuesday. The bill that proposes a death penalty for the offence of aggravated homosexuality, life imprisonments for the offence of homosexuality, up […]
Pope clarifies homosexuality and sin comments in note
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis has clarified his recent comments about homosexuality and sin, saying he was merely referring to official Catholic moral teaching that teaches that any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin. And in a note Friday, Francis recalled that even that black-and-white teaching is subject to circumstances that might eliminate […]
Papal interview: Pope Francis discusses his health, his critics and future of papacy
NICOLE WINFIELD, of The Associated Press, speaks with Pope Francis in a wide-ranging interview which also covered gun violence, relations with China and homosexuality…
German bishops assure Vatican but vow to proceed with reform
Vatican City AP Germany’s Catholic bishops insisted Saturday that their reform process won’t lead to a schism and vowed to see it through, after tense meetings with Vatican officials who want a moratorium on proposals to ordain women, bless same-sex unions and rethink church teaching on sexuality. The head of the German bishops’ conference, Bishop […]
Defying Vatican, Flemish bishops allow blessing same-sex unions
Vatican City Reuters Flemish Roman Catholic bishops on Tuesday issued a document effectively allowing the blessing of same-sex unions, in direct defiance of a ruling against such practices by the Vatican’s doctrinal office. The document published on the website of the Bishops’ Conference of Belgium suggested a ritual that included a prayer and a benediction […]
Vatican puts brakes on progressive German Catholic movement
Vatican City Reuters The Vatican on Thursday slammed the brakes on a German progressive movement that aims to give lay Catholics a say in doctrinal matters such as homosexuality and women priests, saying this risked causing a schism in the universal Church. A short but stern statement said the so-called “Synodal Path” could not assume […]