Belgian bishop lashes out at Vatican over gay unions decree
Brussels, BelgiumAP A Belgian bishop has lashed out at the Vatican over its decree that the Catholic Church won’t bless same-sex unions since God “cannot bless sin”. Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny wrote in an opinion piece Wednesday that he feels “shame for my Church” and “intellectual and moral incomprehension” after Pope Francis approved the “negative” […]
US Supreme Court rules that federal law protects LGBTQ persons from employment discrimination
RNS The US Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ people are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act on Monday in a landmark opinion that makes employment discrimination against LGBTQ persons illegal in all 50 states and has important implications for religious organisations. “An employer who fires an individual merely for […]
United Methodists reschedule meeting – and decision on splitting – to 2021
RNS The United Methodist Church has rescheduled its General Conference for 29th August to 7th September, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis. And it’s looking into ways to use technology to ensure delegates can participate in the quadrennial meeting, according to the Commission on the General Conference. The General Conference – during which […]
Italian cardinal calls for better spiritual guidance for gays, lesbians
Vatican CityRNS Now more than ever, the Catholic Church has begun to address how to minister to members of the LGBT community, especially when it comes to spiritual guidance. Following in Pope Francis’ footsteps, an Italian archbishop invited Catholics to look at gays and lesbians “as God looks at them”. “When communities will truly begin […]
ESSAY: WHY THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH’S PLAN FOR SEPARATION IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE
In an article first published on Religion News Service, Rev CAROLYN MOORE, founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Evans, Georgia, and the vice-chairwoman of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, writes about why she’s hopeful about the latest plan for separation of the UMC…
ESSAY: THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS RELEASED ITS DRAFT RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL. HOW WILL IT WORK?
Australian academics and scholars LIAM ELPHICK, AMY MAGUIRE and ANJA HILKEMEIJER, in an article first published on The Conversation, look at how Australia’s proposed new religious freedom legislation will work…
Most Americans continue to oppose religious service refusals to LGBT people, survey finds
RNS A new survey finds that Americans continue to oppose the idea that small business owners should be able to refuse products or services to gay or lesbian people due to their religious beliefs. The survey by the Public Religion Research Institute follows up on findings released last week that show strong majorities within all religious groups also support nondiscrimination […]
After court ruling in Canada, Christian law school re-evaluates community covenant
RNS Days after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against the accreditation of a Christian university’s proposed law school, school leaders said they are considering making its controversial community covenant optional. Doing so, they hope, would satisfy those who believe the covenant discriminates against LGBTQ applicants and allow the law school to open. Earl Phillips, […]
Let boys wear tutus, girls wear superhero cloaks, says Church of England
Thomson Reuters Foundation From tiaras to tutus, firemen’s helmet and superhero cloaks, boys and girls should wear what they want without conforming to gender stereotypes, the Church of England said on Monday, in a bid to combat homophobic bullying in schools. The church said schools should be a safe haven for play and exploration, and […]