In the US, clergy sex abuse suits could bankrupt San Diego Catholic diocese
San Diego, US AP The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego said Friday it may declare bankruptcy in the coming months as it faces “staggering” legal costs in dealing with some 400 lawsuits alleging priests and others sexually abused children. In a letter that was expected to be shared with parishioners this weekend, Bishop Robert […]
Catholic Church: In making McElroy a cardinal, Francis elevates champion for ‘pastoral’ cause
JACK JENKINS and ALEJANDRA MOLINA, of Religion News Service, report that the San Diego cardinal-to-be will be an ally for a pope who has long advocated for the church to change its priorities without changing its teaching…
Maranatha Chapel to honour pastor Ray Bentley, who died from COVID-19 complications
RNS Maranatha Chapel in San Diego is holding special services this weekend to honour senior pastor Ray Bentley, who died from complications of COVID-19, the church announced early this week. “We are all in shock and heartbroken. We find comfort in knowing that he is rejoicing in heaven with his beloved Jesus. Certainly, he was […]
California Catholic bishop tells priests to decline vaccine exemption requests
RNS San Diego Roman Catholic Bishop Robert McElroy has sent a letter instructing priests in his diocese that there is no basis in Catholic teaching to offer a religious exemption for COVID-19 vaccinations as more employers and schools enact vaccine mandates. In his 11th August letter, McElroy reiterated the Catholic Church’s support for COVID-19 vaccinations and […]
Soundbite – The TCM Update: Switchfoot’s ‘Interrobang’…
Switchfoot: PICTURE: Erik Frost Listen to this week’s TCM Update…
Black Lives Matter banner outside University Christian Church in San Diego defaced
RNS A Black Lives Matter banner that hung outside University Christian Church in San Diego was defaced with paint over the weekend. Rev Caleb Lines, senior minister of University Christian Church, said he found out about the vandalism around 6am on Sunday, when a security company sent him photos. It happened just after a number […]
HOMELESSNESS: IN THE US, HOMELESS FIND REFUGE IN SAFE PARKING
CAREY L BIRON, writing for Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how non-profit organisations – and churches – are working to help people sleeping in their cars after numerous cities passed laws criminalising such behaviour…
At least 30 US faith leaders arrested in border protest
RNS After a tense standoff with officials at the US-Mexico border on Monday, at least 30 American clergy were taken into custody over the objections of demonstrators, who had come to protest the treatment of Central American asylum-seekers and to decry the extension of a border wall and the militarisation of the border. Priests, pastors, […]
San Diego Catholic bishop calls border wall prototypes ‘grotesque’
RNS San Diego Catholic Bishop Robert McElroy condemned the US Trump administration’s border wall effort this week, calling it “ineffective” and “grotesque” as the President visited the region to tour prototypes. President Donald Trump used his first visit to California since taking office to decry current fences along the US-Mexico border as “inferior” – and […]