In the Presbyterian Church (USA), or PCUSA, formal "heresy trials" are largely a thing of the past—a shift that took hold after the painful, high-profile conviction of modern scholar Charles Briggs in 1893. Since then, the denomination's constitution has generally protected broad theological diversity, leaving the examination of clergy up to individual local presbyteries. However, "heresy" remains a highly active term of debate. Today, the PCUSA is deeply polarized, with conservative critics accusing the progressive leadership of theological drift, while the denomination itself has labeled certain right-wing political-theological movements as heretical.Recent controversies and accusations of heresy within the PCUSA highlight this divide:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
How many Catholics are there in Mexico?
“The most important thing is forgiveness”: Chair of Marriage Care reflects on the ingredients for a strong relationship
ZENIT Staff
Addressing difficulties in a marriage is not easy, and Roger shares that couples experiencing challenges wait an average of seven years before seeking professional support.
Despite the continuing decline in the number of Catholics, the Church’s tax revenue in Germany is on the rise again: here are the numbers
ZENIT Staff
The so-called «church tax miracle» may therefore prove to be less a sign of ecclesial renewal than a temporary consequence of economic and demographic factors
Euthanasia in France: For the third time, the Senate says “no.” Progressives and the French left will pass it in Parliament
ZENIT Staff
Although the Senate has once again rejected the proposal, the legislative momentum now appears to favor its supporters. If the National Assembly grants final approval next week, France would join a growing number of countries that permit some form of medically assisted dying
Questions about liturgy: Gestures and the Tabernacle
Fr. Edward McNamara
Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.
Italy Fights EU on Gestational Surrogacy
Stefano Gennarini
Responding to those who defend surrogacy on altruistic or voluntary grounds, Professor Ursula Basset, an adviser at the National Directorate for International Affairs of Argentina’s Ministry of Justice, said, “I will believe in surrogate motherhood when a rich woman gestates for a poor one.”
Why Are Feminists Angry at the UN Security Council?
ZENIT Staff
Despite the fact that only a fraction of women identify themselves as feminists, it has become a common progressive tactic at the UN to equate women’s groups with feminist groups.
These are the most-visited churches in Spain in 2026, according to new research
ZENIT Staff
According to the study, between 17 and 20 million people travel to Spain every year for religious, spiritual or cultural reasons
Investigation into Russian espionage in Italy points to the Vatican as a target. Two people have been arrested
ZENIT Staff
The judicial process now underway may eventually clarify what Russian intelligence hoped to achieve through the alleged Vatican assignment and whether any meaningful access was ever obtained. Until then, many crucial questions remain unanswered
How many Catholics are there in Mexico? What the statistics show—and the challenge they present
ZENIT Staff
Mexico continues to occupy a pivotal place within world Catholicism. Vatican statistical publications, including the 2026 Pontifical Yearbook and the 2024 Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae, project that the country now has approximately 101.3 million baptized Catholics, making it the second-largest Catholic nation in the world after Brazil
Venezuela: The Church Steps In to Fill the Gap Left by the Socialist State in Providing Humanitarian Aid After the Earthquake. Here Are the Facts
ZENIT Staff
According to the report, Caritas Venezuela has received approximately 14,700 tons of humanitarian assistance. Of that amount, 9,000 tons—61 percent of the total—have already reached affected communities, while another 5,700 tons remain available for the next stages of relie
The Parable of the Sower, as Explained by Pope Leo XIV
ZENIT Staff
Address on the Occasion of the Angelus Prayer on Sunday, July 12, 2026
Beyond the End Times: What evangelical support for Israel really reveals
A Bible passage is at the center of a debate over how the U.S. should treat immigrants
NPR: A debate over a
Bible verse in Matthew 25 is pitting mainline pastors, Black protestants
and the pope against evangelical politicians put on the defensive over
President Trump’s policies.
After more than a century, formerly enslaved Pittsburgh pastor’s grave finally marked
WESA: A Baptist
church from Arlington, Virginia, is celebrating its 160th anniversary in
Pittsburgh, of all places. Their founding pastor, Reverend Dr. Robert
Simon Laws, was buried here in the Homewood Cemetery in 1903, in an
unmarked grave.
Muslim advocacy group fights for trust after Texas brands it a terrorist group
Religion News
Service: A terrorist designation in Texas is fraying trust inside Muslim
communities as mosque and nonprofit leaders decide whether standing by
CAIR is worth the risk.
How Russia turned to saints in its push for ‘traditional values’ — and more babies
National Catholic
Reporter: Events for some saints’ feast days serve a Russian government
campaign to present itself as a defender of “traditional values.”
‘You come out feeling high’: I sang with strangers in a one-day choir — and it was surprisingly spiritual
The Guardian: As
people yearn for connection, these events are popping up around the
world and spreading “collective effervescence.”
The deep spiritual history of AI
ARC: For hundreds of years, thinkers have hoped to find God in the machine.
The Lord is my MMA coach*
Mother Jones: How evangelical leaders transformed Jesus Christ into a ripped ultimate fighting machine.
The Latina women in Texas reshaping the UMC
Religion News
Service: Latina United Methodist Church leaders in Texas are emerging
with fresh models for ministry following years of schism, decline and
uncertainty within the denomination.
Church of England votes against plan to rewild 30% of its land by 2030
The Guardian:
Campaigners criticize the Church of England for failing to show moral
leadership as one of country’s biggest landowners.
Beyond the End Times: What evangelical support for Israel really reveals
Religion News
Service: For many evangelicals, Israel is not just a sign of the End
Times. It is also the homeland of a people they believe God has chosen
and whom Christians are called to love.
July brings feast days of holy husbands and wives
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The
Archdiocese of Chicago has withdrawn Father Michael Pfleger from
ministry to review an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in an
instance that allegedly occurred more than 30 years ago. |
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From
June 26 to July 5, the faithful from across the country traveled to the
Basilica Shrine of the Divine Eternal Father to give thanks for
answered prayers and present their intentions. |
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Graham, 71, died on July 11, and pro-life groups pledged to continue legislative efforts he supported. |
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The
society filed its appeal with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the
Faith on July 11, arguing that under canon law the move suspends the
recent excommunication decree. |
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Throughout
the month of July, the Church celebrates the feast days of several holy
married couples whose lives continue to inspire Catholic families
today. |
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The office of the long-serving South Carolina senator said he passed away on July 11. |
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The pontiff addressed the faithful during the July 12 Angelus at Castel Gandolfo, where he is currently on vacation. |
The hidden story behind America's religious revival
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Canon Law or Church History? The SSPX Schism
Concerning the July 1 Society of St Pius X (SSPX) episcopal consecrations and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (DDF) decree declaring excommunication, many have reached out to me as a retired canonist and Catholic apologist — one who once specialized in the SSPX’s 1988 consecrations and excommunication. Sifting through contradictory and often confusing commentary of clergy, canonists, and Catholic apologists, I sympathize with fellow Catholics struggling to wrap their heads around what has taken place.
Speaking candidly, I too am struggling to understand the sudden breakdown of relations between Rome and Écône. It seems quite sudden following Pope Francis’s death. What I did not imagine was finding clarity through Wayne Gretzky. Yes, Canada’s retired hockey legend.
Appealing to a professional athlete to resolve ecclesiastical schism feels sacrilegious, if not sardonic. Ironic in that the consecrations took place Canada Day (July 1st) and I am the only Canadian I know who does not follow hockey. Yet I retired from canon law and apologetics precisely to devote more time and energy to my family — which now includes coaching my children’s activities.
Gretzky is the source of the first lessons I pass on when teaching young people: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
At lunch with the poor
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Irish
bishops condemn anti-Muslim display, religious sisters set up a field
hospital for Venezuela earthquake victims, euthanasia in New Zealand
surges, and more in this week's world news roundup. |
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“Though
we’ve been hit by nature, we don’t lose our hope because our hope is
set on Christ the Lord, and he had victory over death and destruction,”
Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Márquez said. |
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With
Abelardo de la Espriella's very narrow victory and outgoing President
Gustavo Petros' refusal to accept that result, alleging fraud, the
Colombian bishops urged citizens to respect the outcome. |
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The
Holy Father on July 11 hosted "Lunch with the Pope," a day of
hospitality and fraternity at Borgo Laudato Si' within the papal gardens
of Castel Gandolfo. |
San Diego Japanese Christian Church 07.12.2026
We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo
San Diego Japanese Christian Church
OMS Holiness Church of North America
San Diego Japanese Christian Church (SDJCC) is here to share the good news that a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the key to abundant living in today’s world. Our church was founded as an outreach to Japanese speaking farmers in San Diego County over 80 years ago. SDJCC now has English and Japanese speaking ministries. It’s easy to miss, tucked away at the elbow of 19th and E streets just above Interstate 5: the Japanese American Christian Church in Golden Hill. You’d most likely drive past this humble place of worship on the way up Broadway without noticing it, but if you happened to be on a stroll down E Street looking at the nice old houses, you’d stumble upon it after the bigger homes give way to a series of California bungalows. It’s there before E turns right into 19th. Across the street from the church, a chain-link fence lines the sidewalk above the 5 where the homeless set up camp on a regular basis before they are swept out and relocated only to return again when the police shift their attention elsewhere. Historically, the church itself is a product of a relocation of a different sort. As my City College colleague, historian Susan Hasegawa informed me, it was originally founded as the Japanese Holiness Church by Christian Nikkei (immigrants and their descendents) in 1930 and located on Newton Avenue. Sponsored by the Oriental Mission Society, the church focused its efforts on outreach to Issei (first generation immigrant) farmers.
Trinity North Park 07.12.2026
We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo
Trinity United Methodist Church
Trinity United Methodist Church has been part of the North Park community since 1915, bringing warmth and connection to our neighbors for over 100 years. We seek to KNOW, LOVE, and SERVE God and our neighbors through study, worship, community events, outreach and service projects, and having fun together! We'd love to have you join us as we grow in faith and love here in North Park.
Christ United Presbyterian San Diego 07.12.2026
We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo
Christ United Presbyterian Church of San Diego
What Is The Presbyterian Church (USA)
Christ United Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Dr. Kerry Allison is the pastor of this parish church in South Park. We were established in 1981 when an invitation was extended to two churches—Brooklyn Heights Presbyterian, established in 1921 and the Golden Hill Presbyterian, established in 1956—to merge and each church accepted. The late Reverend Doctor George Walker Smith founded Golden Hill Presbyterian Church in 1956 with support from the Presbyterian Women organization. The church, located at 22nd and Market in South Park, became a human rights leader in San Diego as the congregation grew. Reverend Smith was the first black school board member in San Diego. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Christ United continues its ministry in power and presence to the present day. All are welcome to join us in worship and togetherness.




