Morning Briefing

Pope reportedly receives letter criticizing treatment of LCWR. "We believe the recent criticism of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) has been unjust," the letter reads.

Jubilee USA Network aims to ease Grenada's debt crisis, writes Michael Sean Winters. In March, the Caribbean island of Grenada welcomed with open arms a nonprofit advocacy group.

Boston -- Parishioners at the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Scituate have staged a round-the-clock vigil to prevent the archdiocese from “repurposing” or selling the building. And this past Saturday, despite word that the Vatican’s highest court had denied their final appeal, they vowed to continue.

Australia -- Some of the country's most senior Catholic leaders will appear before the royal commission into child sexual abuse's investigation into Wollongong's Catholic diocese over the next two weeks.

Thailand -- Thailand's military-led government characterized as unfair a U.S. report that downgraded the country's human trafficking record, while observers said the junta will do little to prevent modern day slavery.

Myanmar -- UN rights experts have urged Myanmar to scrap a controversial draft religious conversion bill that would restrict religious conversions.

Last fall, Maryknoll Sr. Helene O'Sullivan launched a program in Phnomh Penh that provides basic education and intensive job training for formerly trafficked women and girls so they can get good-paying jobs in the hotel industry, not low-wage "pink-collar" jobs working in barbershops, factories or vegetable markets. This story from Claire Schaeffer-Duffy is just one part of the Global Sisters Report, which is devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology.

Philadelphia -- Out of nowhere, a network has emerged to save Catholic schools. 

Washington -- A first for the Washington National Cathedral Sunday as an openly transgender priest gave the sermon. The priest urged the gay community to be brave and open-minded as it works to eliminate oppression.

Divestment vote by Presbyterian Church strains long ties with Jewish community. Also, Israel's prime minister criticized the decision, saying the vote was misguided and unfair. 

Khartoum, Sudan -- A Sudanese woman sentenced to death for apostasy was freed Monday by a Khartoum court, and has rejoined her Christian husband with their two young children, her lawyer and state media said.

Commentary --  How an apocalyptic plague help spread Christianity. 

Review: The Great Calvinist Reawakening. According to The New York Times, a Calvinist revival is sweeping through modern American evangelicalism. 

Looking for a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:

Daily Bread is a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned Scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.

Pencil Preaching is a blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.