As he campaigned for California governor, Xavier Becerra reflected on the way his Catholic upbringing informs his politics. "The sanctity of life is something that's really ingrained in you," the Democrat and former U.S. health and human services secretary said earlier this year.
Maria Montserrat "Montse" Álvarado's appointment was seen as an effort to bring American management style to the Vatican's sprawling communications operation and diversify its historically Italian-dominated leadership.
Nov. 3 election results represent "a dead end for the culture warrior approach to Catholic politics favored by the [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops] since the late 1990s," one expert told NCR.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina comes amid allegations of sexual abuse and other crimes involving Catholic clergy and lay members, with survivors demanding stronger action from the Vatican against those accused or convicted.
A gathering in Detroit 50 years ago this month was an antecedent to the church's synodal moment today. In 1976, bishops, Catholic activists and laity engaged in dialogue about some of the church's most fractious issues.
Fr. John McNeill's groundbreaking 1976 book described homosexuality as a gift from God. The Vatican later silenced him, and the Society of Jesus expelled him.
The synodal shift "doesn't make a lot of noise, but it's something deep," said Sr. Nathalie Becquart. "There is still a lot to do, but people are more and more confident that this is the way forward."
