Let life commence!

American Bishop Michael Curry at Meghan Markle's Wedding

"Imagine a world where love is the way." 

 American Bishop Michael Curry has captured the world's attention with a long and powerful address at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Chicago-born bishop spoke passionately about the power of love, quoting Dr Martin Luther King Jr. "There's power in love, don't underestimate it," he said. The wide-ranging and colourful speech was seen as a significant break from tradition. The Most Reverend Michael Curry became the first black presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church - like the Church of England, part of the Anglican Communion - when he was appointed in 2015. He has spoken out on social justice issues in the past, including LGBT rights and sexual abuse. The address, replete with historical references, had churchgoers, including David Beckham and the Duchess of Cornwall smiling. Others appeared transfixed. The bride and groom, who invited Bishop Curry to speak, sat near the preacher and held hands as they watched him speak.

What kind of legacy are you imparting to your children?

China escalates nationwide crackdown on Protestant churches

Trump administration to tie health facilities’ funding to abortion restrictions
The New York Times *
NAACP and Mormons call for racial harmony, civility
The Associated Press
Will views on same-sex marriage split one of America’s largest Protestant denominations?
The Charlotte Observer *
Episcopalians scramble to capitalize on royal wedding opportunity
Religion News Service
States are moving to limit, or ban, marriages of children
The New York Times *
Marine colonel accused of intimidating choir director in church with ‘I will kill you’ face, siccing investigators on priest
USA Today
Under proposed bill, N.C. public schools would have to post ‘In God We Trust’ signs
The News & Observer *
Interfaith leaders join Jews in call for new envoy to fight anti-Semitism
Religion News Service
 

International Headlines

Chile’s bishops resign en masse over sex abuse cover-up
The Associated Press
Archbishop of Canterbury: Separation of church and state would not be a disaster
The Guardian
China escalates nationwide crackdown on Protestant churches
Radio Free Asia
Muslims must stop other countries opening Jerusalem embassies: Turkey
Reuters
Egypt’s president announces Rafah crossing open for Ramadan
The Associated Press
Brutal hours aren’t just for salarymen: Japanese monk sues temple for overwork
The Washington Post *
Indonesia prosecutors seek death for cleric accused of planning attacks from jail
Reuters
New Israeli Jewish conversion bill likely to be nixed as factions come out in opposition
The Jerusalem Post *
 

Analysis & Commentary

The new Pope Francis documentary is a lucid portrait of a quiet radical
Vox
How to tell when criticism of Israel is actually anti-Semitism
The Washington Post *
A peek into the lives of Puerto Rican Muslims and what Ramadan means post-Hurricane Maria
The Conversation
A black Episcopal priest will speak at the royal wedding. Here’s why that’s important
Vox
Why Meghan Markle, raised a Christian, still got baptized before her royal wedding
The Washington Post *

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Californians for Life endorsements

Californians for Life endorsements: Comprehensive list of pro-life political candidates in California
Vatican issues new rules for cloistered nuns: May 15 instruction requires that individual monasteries have at least five members in order to remain open, membership in a federation
Planned Parenthood stands to lose millions: Trump administration will pull funds from groups that perform abortions or provide referrals

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Every bishop in Chile submits resignation to Pope Francis

The Anglican politics of Prince Harry's wedding
Religion News Service: What's of interest is the Archbishop of Canterbury's hearty endorsement of the designated preacher, Mark Silk says.
Religion News Service: Episcopalians scramble to capitalize on royal wedding opportunity

From #MeToo to #ChurchToo to #NeverAtChurch
Baptist News Global: If the #MeToo movement has revealed anything it is that no corner of our society is untouched by the pervasive devaluation of women's worth and dignity, even the bastion of progressive Christianity in America, The Riverside Church in the City of New York.

Justin Welby: separation of church and state not a disaster
The (London) Guardian: The Archbishop of Canterbury has said disestablishment of the Church of England would not be a disaster, and removal of the church's privileges should be "a decision for parliament and people".

What does it mean to be father to a son in the age of #MeToo?
National Catholic Reporter: What does it mean to be a father who raises a son in the age of #MeToo? What can a father do to ensure his son doesn't end up the perpetrator in a #MeToo story?

Every bishop in Chile submits resignation to Pope Francis
Crux: All of Chile's active bishops have submitted a written resignation to Pope Francis, in the wake of a three-day summit in Rome to discuss their Church's massive crisis over sexual abuse and abuse of power.

Irish Pro-lifers Campaign to Keep Abortion Illegal

Irish Pro-lifers Campaign to Keep Abortion Illegal

John P. McCarthy
 

Ireland may well become the first country to introduce abortion by popular vote. This would follow a thirty-five year campaign by abortion advocates to overcome a 1983 amendment protecting the life of the unborn. The Irish Constitution can be amended by the electorate in a referendum. A referendum put to the people is proposed by […]

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The Suicide of the West: A Tale of Two Miracles

John Horvat II
 

“There is no God in this book.” Thus reads the provocative first sentence of Jonah Goldberg’s latest release, The Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy. This declaration is perhaps an unintended summary of the book about the crisis in the West. From it, […]

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As Hawaii volcano rumbles

·      International Theological Commission document proposes lived synodality

A newly released document from the Vatican’s theological advisory commission seeks to explain and advance “synodality,” a concept of particular importance to Pope Francis.

·      Trump plan could strip Title X funds from abortion providers

·      Swedish town approves Islamic call to prayer after having denied church bells

·      As Hawaii volcano rumbles, Catholic agencies help those in need

·      Letter asks Trump to remember political prisoners in North Korea negotiations

·      Foster parents join Philadelphia’s Catholic Social Services in discrimination lawsuit

·      Analysis: The solid grounds of the CDF’s new economics document

·      Pope to Chilean bishops: Serve Christ in victims of abuse

·      Midwife: Repealing Ireland's abortion amendment would harm women

·      Vatican offices urge re-calibration of financial markets

·      Church pleads for prayers ahead of Ireland's abortion referendum

·      Daily Readings

·      Saint of the Day

“Confirmation isn’t a coming of age ritual”

“Confirmation isn’t a coming of age ritual”: Director of Parish Faith Formation for Diocese of Orange: "The rites of initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, in that order"

Los Angeles archdiocese encourages parishes to care for foster youth: Office of Life, Justice and Peace celebrating National Foster Care Month by connecting the 298 parishes of the archdiocese with resources to help community of faith learn about ways they can change a child’s life

Baby bust: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: United States just hit a 40-year low in its fertility rate