Brennan Wedl's new self-titled album, produced by Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield, showcases her radiant, hooky Americana, drawing comparisons to genre legends like Lucinda Williams. The 29-year-old songwriter's originals are filled with bittersweet reflections, self-destructive appeals, and a unique blend of religious upbringing and riot grrrl influences.
John Prevost, a retired Midwestern high school principal, finds himself unexpectedly famous and inundated with requests after his younger brother, Robert Francis Prevost, became Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope. The article details John's frustrations and the Pope's unique background and preparation for the papacy.
Australian taxpayers may cover up to $65M in payouts to 930 child abuse victims as the Christian Brothers, a Catholic order, declares bankruptcy. Court documents reveal the order's inability to pay, forcing the federal government to act as "funder of last resort" for the National Redress Scheme.
Edmund Rice Education Australia will contest a move by abuse survivors to hold it liable for compensation claims against the Christian Brothers, sparking a potentially costly legal battle. Survivors fear inadequate compensation as the Christian Brothers faces bankruptcy.
The Vatican has declared the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) in schism after the group defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without papal approval. The Vatican's doctrinal office stated that the bishops and adherents are excommunicated and their sacraments illicit.
The Vatican has excommunicated the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) for ordaining bishops without Pope Leo's consent, creating a schism. The decision also invalidates sacraments performed by SSPX priests and reverses previous concessions.
Pope Leo has urged the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) to abandon plans to ordain four bishops without Vatican approval, calling it a "sin of extreme gravity." The SSPX, which rejects Vatican II reforms, plans to proceed, risking schism and excommunication.
Pope Leo XIV urged the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) not to proceed with a planned bishop consecration, warning it could cause a schism and deprive faithful of sacraments. The SSPX, founded in opposition to Vatican II reforms, faces automatic excommunication if the act proceeds.
Russian State Duma official Nikolay Novichkov stated the Roman Catholic Church is in conflict with the US and EU over war assessments, citing Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez's criticism of the EU's double standards. Novichkov also noted the Vatican's historical hostility towards Russia and expressed a slim hope for the Pope to condemn the Kyiv regime.
The Society of St Pius X (SSPX), a far-right Catholic sect, plans to ordain its own bishops on July 1st, risking excommunication and schism with the Vatican. Pope Leo has appealed against the move, which stems from fundamental disagreements over Vatican II reforms.
Choreographer Sonya Tayeh is premiering 'The Surge,' a dance piece inspired by Sinéad O'Connor's life and music. The work features women over 40, exploring themes of defiance, aging in the arts, and finding one's voice, drawing parallels to O'Connor's own struggles and resilience.
A Catholic church in Washington D.C. is seeing a significant influx of young professionals, with nearly 500 under-35s attending mass regularly. The church has also seen a record number of baptisms this year.
The article contrasts Madrid's financial skyline with Barcelona's spiritual one, dominated by the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and Sagrada Família. It explores historical influences, including the Franco-Prussian War and Spanish political turmoil, linking them to the rise of expiatory temples and Catholic influence in Barcelona's social and business spheres.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok requested cooperation from the Catholic Church on suicide prevention, stating that "the government alone cannot solve this issue, and we must work with religious circles." He noted that the number of suicides in South Korea has recently begun to decline for the first time in months.
Pope Leo has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, president of EWTN News, as the first lay woman to lead the Vatican's communications department, a significant move continuing Pope Francis's efforts to increase female leadership within the church.
Young people in traditionally Catholic but secular Spain and France are showing renewed interest in Catholicism, driven by youth movements and a desire for meaning. Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visits highlight this trend, with increased adult baptisms and active participation in faith groups.
As Donald Trump approaches 80, concerns are growing about his physical and mental health impacting his ability to serve. Despite assurances of "excellent health," his frequent medical visits, erratic behavior, and public statements raise questions about his fitness for office, with a majority now believing he is not healthy enough to serve effectively.
Pope Leo issued a strong warning about AI, calling it a major threat and urging ethical constraints. Readers echoed concerns about unregulated AI, surveillance, job displacement, and its potential for manipulation and harm.
The Philippine Catholic Church has established an independent EJK Truth Commission to investigate drug-related extrajudicial killings during Rodrigo Duterte's presidency, coinciding with the ICC's announcement to start Duterte's trial for crimes against humanity in late November.
Ghana welcomes Pope Leo XIV's apology for the Catholic Church's role in slavery, calling it an 'act of moral courage' towards truth, dignity, and justice, as the nation seeks compensation and apologies for the transatlantic slave trade.
Director Lucrecia Martel’s documentary Landmarks highlights Argentina’s historical disregard for Indigenous rights through the 2009 killing of Diaguita leader Javier Chocobar in a land dispute.
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," addresses human dignity in the age of AI, continuing the Church's tradition of using formal letters to guide Catholics on modern moral challenges.
Pope Leo issued an encyclical denouncing the "culture of power" driving AI, urging "rigorous" ethical constraints, especially in warfare. He also apologized for the Catholic Church's historical stance on slavery and warned of new digital-era enslavements.
Douliu's Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Yunlin County preserves calligraphy by Yu Youren and Jia Jingde, two prominent figures in modern Chinese calligraphy and former heads of government institutions. These artworks, a couplet by Yu Youren and a regular script inscription by Jia Jingde, are cherished by parishioners, especially in light of Taiwan Power Company's recent replacement of Yu Youren's calligraphy for its logo.
