United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ and other issues
United States AP United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of defusing debates over the role of LGBTQ people in the church by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church. Delegates voted 586-164 on Thursday for the “regionalisation” proposal on the third day of their 11-day General […]
Explainer – United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion
United States AP Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference. It’s a much-anticipated gathering. Typically it is held every four years, but church leaders delayed the 2020 gathering until now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev K Karen, left, of St Paul & St […]
After traditionalist churches left, United Methodist Church may be more – not less – diverse
United States RNS After the departure of thousands of traditionalist United Methodist churches from the denomination over the past five years, it might stand to reason that those congregations remaining in the fold are more progressive and open to ordination and marriage of people in same-sex relationships. But the picture is far more mixed. A […]
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 […]
Unaffiliated Americans are the only growing religious group – study
United States RNS Religious churn has been a key fixture of US religion for a long time, but a new survey of changes in American religion finds that motion is not so much a swirling but a one-way stream heading out. A new PRRI survey shows that religiously unaffiliated Americans are the only group that […]
Essay: Before tackling troublesome issues, Pope Francis insists on synodality
US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE says – in an article first published on Religion News Service – that he feels like he is on the Titanic while the crew is meeting to talk about how they should listen to one another…
Vatican puts the brakes on Synod on Synodality, pushes ‘controversial’ topics to 2025
Vatican City RNS A three-year process aimed at putting the most pressing concerns of lay Catholics front and centre in the church was reshuffled on Thursday, as the Vatican announced that it plans to push discussion of “doctrinal, ethical and pastoral issues that are controversial” to June, 2025. The controversial issues include allowing women to […]
Church of England: “Profound disagreement” remains on homosexuality
London, UK Reuters The Church of England’s governing body will debate adopting fresh commitments on homosexuality and same-sex couples when it meets later this month, it said on Friday, acknowledging that there remained “profound disagreement” on the matter. A general view of Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, on 6th October, 2020. PICTURE: Reuters/Hannah McKay/File photo […]
Pope says Africans are “special case” when it comes to LGBT blessings
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis said in an interview published on Monday that Africans were a “special case” in the opposition of bishops and many other people in the continent to homosexuality. But he said he was confident that, except for Africans, critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples would eventually understand […]
In the US, the United Methodist Church has lost a quarter of its churches – most in the South
United States RNS Americans looking to understand the ways political polarization has defined US voting patterns need look no further than the divisions in the United Methodist Church. Five years after allowing churches to leave with their properties if they disagreed with the direction the denomination was heading on human sexuality, the results of the […]