Why Christian nationalism is unchristian

Vatican's liturgy head to Latin Mass convert Shia LaBeouf: Let's talk 

The head of the Vatican's liturgy office says he would welcome a conversation with Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf, who recently cited the traditional Latin Mass as motivation for his conversion to Catholicism.

"I'd like to know why he thinks that, what is his experience of the celebration of the Mass," said English Cardinal Arthur Roche. "That's what priests do; we try to talk to people."

Roche is one of 20 new prelates elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis on Aug. 27. He has spearheaded the pope's liturgical reforms, which have included restricting the traditional Latin Mass to limited times, places and celebrants in an effort to facilitate a more unified form of church worship.

Read more of this story here.

More background:

• Shia LaBeouf stars as Padre Pio in Abel Ferrara's newest film, which pays homage to one of Italy's best-known and most revered saints. 

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Why Christian nationalism is unchristian

Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese talks about the rise of Christian nationalism, embraced by many Americans who argue that the founders of our republic were Christians and they meant us to be a Christian nation. This is historically true, Reese explains, but it's also true that the founding fathers wanted a secular government, free of religion.  

Christian nationalism is also wrong theologically, says Reese, adding that "as Christians we should love our country, but Jesus tells us that we must love everyone as our brothers and sisters, even those of other creeds. This includes our fellow citizens and those of other nations."

Read more of Reese's column here. 

More background:

• A Catholic parent says the required display of "In God We Trust" posters in Texas public schools is a marker of Christian nationalism. 

• Read a review of Taking America Back for God, in which authors Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry analyze the "hollow and deceptive" Christian nationalism that dominates American politics and brought us President Trump.

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More headlines

• After the consistory that included a new U.S. cardinal, columnist Michael Sean Winters thinks the U.S. church's future is looking brighter than it has in a long time.

• ICYMI: Participants from the pope's meeting with the world cardinals told NCR that discussions centered around the extent to which lay individuals can be granted authority in church governance, term limits for Vatican officials and the city-state's finances.

• ICYMI: Pope Francis' comments on the death of Darya Dugina, a 29-year-old commentator with a nationalist Russian TV channel, were meant to defend life and were not a political affirmation, the Vatican said.

• ICYMI: Parents of children enrolled in Maine religious schools fought for years — all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court — for the state to treat tuition reimbursements the same as other private schools, but only one of the religious high schools that stood to benefit has signed up to participate this fall.