Where is Mass attendance highest?

Letter from Benedict XVI reveals the ‘central motive’ for his resignation, biographer says

Benedict XVI said he had suffered from chronic insomnia since the early days of his pontificate, according to a letter he wrote to his biographer.

Where is Mass attendance highest? One country is the clear leader

A compilation of new data by researchers at Georgetown University sheds light on the countries around the world that have the highest Mass attendance numbers.

Pope Francis decries culture that ‘throws away’ unborn children, elderly, poor

In his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis decried a culture that “throws away” unborn children, the elderly, and the poor if they are not useful.

Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia elevated to basilica

The Vatican recognized the Miraculous Medal Shrine, located in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, as the city’s second basilica.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow over ‘spiral of death’ in the Holy Land

In his Sunday Angelus address, the pope expressed “great sorrow” for the death of Palestinians killed in an Israeli military raid and seven Israelis killed in a shooting.

the Australian church celebrating queer joy

Tyre Nichols police beating video prompts faith leaders to react with grief, goals
Religion News Service: They expressed grief and prayers for Nichols’ family, as well as called for national and state legislation. Some questioned whether the video of the police beating of Nichols should be watched.

Jewish heirs sue Guggenheim over ownership of a prized Picasso*
The New York Times: The museum says the painting’s owner, who sold it after fleeing Nazi Germany, made a “fair transaction.” His heirs say he sold under duress.

‘Spirituality and sexuality – people shouldn’t have to choose’: the Australian church celebrating queer joy
The Guardian: Led by a openly lesbian minister, St Michael’s Uniting Church in Melbourne hopes to provide a sanctuary for LGBTQ people hurt by religious institutions.

Changing the conversation on climate change*
Christianity Today: Evangelical organizer Tori Goebel speaks on the difference 10 years makes and how a rising generation of Christians is looking for “avenues for action.”

Moving lessons on forgiveness out of religious spaces and into schools*
The Washington Post: Forgiveness is known as a virtue that is preached in churches and other places of worship. Until recently, it was not a subject that was taught in the classroom.

That’s not Buddha or Rama

That’s not Buddha or Rama in artist Sawai Chinnawong’s colorful, swirling traditional Thai paintings—it’s Jesus.

After multiple Christians have been fined and arrested over silent prayer, religious liberty advocates in the UK are challenging municipal regulations around abortion clinic “buffer zones” and discouraging the government from adopting national legislation.

How the evangelical conversation about climate change has changed in the last decade.

Four out of 10 Americans read the Bible. Here’s the format they most prefer.

Behind the story

Daniel Silliman: When I talk to someone who doesn’t know about CT, I’ll often just say I work for a magazine. And I do! But Christianity Today is also a lot more than a magazine—and the “magazine” part of the ministry doesn’t always look like what people think it looks like.

Like did you know that CT is now on TikTok? As of last week, some of our very talented colleagues have taken us to this social media frontier. So now I can say, I work for a magazine and it’s got some great TikToks.

In other news

Longtime Southern Baptist missions leader Bob Banks has died at 91.

The newly created Christian Timber Reserve allows Georgia Baptists to “tithe with trees,” donating acreage from their wooded property or income made from it.

A theatrical production of The Horse and His Boy in Washington D.C. is getting rave reviews.

Youth group does “ding dong ditch,” but with prayers.

N. T. Wright on the Future of the World

Christ United Presbyterian Church SD 1/29/23

covenantchurchsd 1.22.23

The Key to Happiness - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

Marriage is a lifelong union between a man and woman

Pope Francis: Marriage is a lifelong union between a man and woman

Pope Francis on Friday reiterated the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman.

Woman arrested at Fargo cathedral for smashing ‘Christ in Death’ statue

Church surveillance footage reportedly shows the half-dressed suspect, Brittany Marie Reynolds, damaging the statue in St. Mary's Cathedral in Fargo.

A ‘hate crime’ at Montana Catholic churches? Some think so

Vandals destroyed a Nativity scene at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral in Billings, Montana, the night of Jan. 16.

Mark Houck trial: Jury deadlocked, will resume deliberations Jan. 30

The jury deciding the fate of pro-life activist Mark Houck could not come to a decision Friday on whether the Catholic father of seven broke a federal law.

Here’s what American Catholics in the pews have done to help relief efforts in Ukraine

“When the first bombs struck Ukraine nearly a year ago, aid was already coming in from Catholics in the United States,” the U.S. bishops said.

Attacks on U. S. Churches Exceed 275 & Counting

Attacks on U. S. Churches Exceed 275 & Counting – J. P. Mauro at Aleteia
The K–12 Education Renaissance – Jeremy W. Tate at First Things
Rebellious Nuns Who Saved Catholicism in Mexico – Amy Welborn at Charlotte was Both
The House With a Hundred Gates – Fr. Dwight Longenecker at The Imaginative Conservative
McElroy’s Attack on Church Teachings on Sexuality Is a Pastoral Disaster – N. C. Register
“Never Give Up” ~ A Review of Pelayo: King of Asturias by James Fitzhenry – Gloria Romanorum
Robert Cardinal McElroy’s Road to Nowhere – Stephen P. White at The Catholic Thing
Wow! Huge Moment in the Case Against Pro-Lifer Mark Houck – C. M. R.
The Liturgical Revolution Which Wasn’t, No Knox Nor King James – Fr. James Hunwicke
Pope Francis Decries German Synodal Way as ‘Neither Helpful Nor Serious’ – The C. W. R.
Why is Ad Orientem Worship So Controversial? – R. Jared Staudt, Ph.D., at Denver Catholic
Wars & Rumors of Liturgical Wars – Gregory DiPippo at New Liturgical Movement
Is Love a Choice or a Feeling? – Simone Rizkallah at Catholic Answers Magazine
Five Things to Know about the Violence Racking Peru – C. N. A. via The Catholic World Report
A Convert’s Journey to Fixing Bad Catholic Music (video & podcast) – The Catholic Gentleman
Prosecution Rests Case in Mark Houck Trial, Defense Motions to Dismiss Case – N. C. Register

Archbishop Cordileone issues statement on mass shootings

Archbishop Cordileone issues statement on mass shootings in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park

"The recent shootings in Monterey Park (Los Angeles County) and in Half Moon Bay remind us of how fragile human life is, but also how precious human life is. We must never take human life for granted..."   Read his full statement here