Pope says Trump Ukraine plan would weaken U.S. alliance with Europe

The pope urges ‘continued dialogue’ after receiving Zelenskyy in Castel Gandolfo Pope Leo XIV received the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in audience today at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

Archbishop performs rite of reparation at Annunciation Catholic Church after shooting "My brothers and sisters, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead proclaims that evil and death do not have the final word; God does.” Pope says Trump Ukraine plan would weaken U.S. alliance with Europe Pope Leo XIV said President Donald Trump’s plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine threatens to break apart the alliance between Europe and the United States.

Pew study: Religion holds steady in America American adults who identify with Christianity, with another religion, or with no religion have all remained steady, a new Pew Research Center report finds.

Did angels really carry the Holy House of Mary to Loreto, Italy?

What do Galileo, Mozart, Descartes, Cervantes, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux have in common? They all traveled hundreds of miles to visit Mary’s house in Loreto, Italy.

This political moment demands theology

ICE Nativity scenes: Churches reimagine Christmas story amid deportations
Religion News Service: “We know that Jesus was born into a Roman imperial occupation, and pretty much immediately becomes a refugee in Egypt, has to flee and faces political violence,” the Rev. Michael Woolf said.

Religious leaders say they’re observing a hidden trend among younger Americans*
The Washington Post: Religious affiliation has been dropping among young people for decades, but examples abound of surging interest on college campuses and in cities like D.C.

This political moment demands theology*
The Christian Century: As Christians, we need to protest authoritarianism and support the people it targets. We also need to underscore the deep foundations of this work.

When Christmas is a little too bright ... look to Krampus
NPR: With goat horns, gnashing teeth and a long tongue to taste one’s sins, Krampus is nothing short of horrifying.

Uniting Church welcomes re-opening of place of worship as a mosque
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: The plan is to host modest Islamic education, Arabic classes and interfaith dialogue.

covenantchurchsd 12.07.2025

 We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill

Covenant Presbyterian Church

What is the Evangelical Presbyterian Church?

Covenant Church at 30th & Howard  is a Christian church in the tradition of the Protestant Reformation and allied with the EPC [The Evangelical Presbyterian Church] We believe the Scriptures to be the infallible Word of God and our final authority in faith and practice, and we find the historic creeds of the early church (the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed) to be vital expressions of the most important tenets of the global church universal. When the EPC started in 1981, we determined that we would not disagree on the basic essentials of the Christian faith, but on anything that was not essential—such as the issue of ordaining women as officers or practicing charismatic gifts—we would give each other liberty. Above all, we committed ourselves to loving each other and not engaging in quarrels and strife. The result is that when we get together in our regional and national meetings, we spend most of our time in worship and fellowship and almost none in arguing with each other.

Religion holds steady in America

Court settlement approved for New Orleans Archdiocese to pay hundreds of clergy abuse victims
The Associated Press: The New Orleans Archdiocese will pay at least $230 million to hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse under a settlement approved Monday by a federal judge that follows years of negotiations.
The Associated Press: A list of the largest clergy abuse settlements reached by Catholic organizations in the US

Religion holds steady in America
Pew Research Center: Recent polling shows no clear evidence of a religious revival among young adults.

Millions of children and teens lose access to accounts as Australia’s world-first social media ban begins
The Guardian: Accounts held by users under 16 must be removed on apps that include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and Threads under the ban.

Inside the push to bring mental health care into American mosques
NPR: American Muslim communities are working to reduce stigma around therapy by bringing mental health services into mosques and making counseling easier to access.

Jasmine Crockett’s pastor jumps into race for her North Texas seat
Chron: Frederick Haynes III of Friendship-West Baptist Church wants to succeed Crockett in Congress.

Mariologists publish scathing critique of Vatican note on Mary’s titles

Mariologists publish scathing critique of Vatican note on Mary’s titles An association of Mariologists issued a critical response to Mater Populi Fidelis, a recently published Vatican doctrinal note on devotional Marian titles.

Bethlehem lights Christmas tree again while conflict still echoes nearby

The town of Bethlehem decided to have its Christmas celebrations return, starting with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in front of the Church of the Nativity on Dec. 6.

Trump honors Mary’s ‘freedom from original sin’ in Immaculate Conception message President Donald Trump honored the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which appears to be the first time a U.S. president formally recognized the holy day.

Remnants of chapel where image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was originally kept still exist

Next to the current Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City is the old chapel built to house the image miraculously imprinted on St. Juan Diego’s cloak.

Daughter of political prisoner Jimmy Lai speaks out for the first time Daughter of imprisoned Catholic activist Jimmy Lai spoke out for the first time ahead of her father’s 78th birthday.

A weary world needs hopeful stories

What was Joseph to do? BY MYCAL X. BRICKHOUSE The messy hope of Christmas BY JASON D. THOMPSON

Can’t relate to Christmas Mary? There’s good news for you too BY ERIN S. LANE

Puerto Rican Christmas means asopao and resistance BY THEA L. RACELIS

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship seeks next executive director

The executive director search committee is inviting colleagues, partners and friends around the globe to support the search.  Please view the opportunity profile to learn more about the organization, the role and how you can help.

The North Carolina Council of Churches celebrates its history and looks forward

Q&A with Jennifer Copeland

The North Carolina Council of Churches turned 90 this year. Its executive director describes the importance of its work for God’s justice.

Families deserve generational, sustainable, long-term change

Q&A with Argrow “Kit” Evans-Ford

This Christian social enterprise has expanded from bath and body products to a café and food truck to support and train women who have experienced abuse.

A weary world needs hopeful stories

By Sarah E. Forsyth

The ability of churches to share joyful stories that inspire action is especially important in hard times, writes an associate director for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity’s Thriving Congregations Coordination Program.

I was slammed to the ground and arrested outside an ICE facility. It was a holy experience.

By Michael Woolf

Internment sites are being operated across the country, writes a Chicago pastor. What we do with this knowledge tells us everything about the Christians we are.

Mary’s Song is an expression of maternal love

By Aleta Payne

The Magnificat begins as a lullaby and becomes a hymn of praise and protest. Will we join in Mary's Song this Advent?

On Christmas Eve, Christ House marks four decades of providing healthcare for unhoused men

A Washington, D.C., nonprofit celebrates the 40th anniversary of its ministry of medical support, community building and leadership in the field.

Who is behind the promotion of Benedict XVI’s canonization

This is the first country to legally ban social media for children, and this is what studies say about it

Jorge Enrique Mújica

The measure did not emerge in a vacuum. For years, Australian parents have voiced concern over the stark gap between their children’s physical maturity and the psychological intensity of online environments

Why did the Vatican hire Hollywood superstar Chris Pratt for a documentary? Here’s everything we know

Jorge Enrique Mújica

The production, a collaboration between Vatican Media, the Fabbrica di San Pietro and AF Films, is being crafted with an eye toward a milestone year. Its release is slated for 2026, when the Church marks four centuries since the completion and dedication of the current St. Peter’s Basilica

Who is behind the promotion of Benedict XVI’s canonization and his declaration as a Doctor of the Church?

Joachin Meisner Hertz

Benedict XVI’s death in 2022 closed a public chapter but not the spiritual, theological and cultural influence he continues to exert

13 new ambassadors are presented to the Pope, who tells them that the Holy See will not be a spectator in human rights violations

ZENIT Staff

Address by the Pope on the occasion of the presentation of credentials by the ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Moldova, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Liberia, Thailand, Lesotho, South Africa, Fiji, Micronesia, Latvia, and Finland

Francigena Britannica formally recognised as part of historic pilgrimage route

ZENIT Staff

The Via Francigena is an historic 2000-kilometre pilgrim way from Canterbury to Rome

One in four clergy members feels isolated, according to a study that also reveals their emotional state

Elizabeth Owens

The survey followed more than a thousand clergy ordained in different cohorts or admitted to training in 2016, revisiting them year after year

How can we ensure that the development of artificial intelligence truly serves the common good? Pope Leo XIV’s response

ZENIT Staff

Pope’s address to conference participants «Artificial Intelligence and Care of Our Common Home»

Second setback for the previous pontificate: Pope Leo repeals Pope Francis’ financial measure

ZENIT Staff

As 2025 approaches its end, the Vatican’s financial system is undergoing one of its most significant recalibrations in years

European Court violates national laws and imposes recognition of same-sex unions in the European Union

ZENIT Staff

What the report ultimately provides is not closure but a map: a chart of the questions that still divide scholars, bishops, and believers.

Young adults are waiting in line to worship at this fast-growing Atlanta church

Christmas — and hope — return to Bethlehem after two somber years
Religion News Service: Christmas here is not escapism. It is defiance.

Young adults are waiting in line to worship at this fast-growing Atlanta church
The Associated Press: Lines packed with young adults snake outside 2819 Church, some arriving as early as 5:30 a.m. to secure a spot for Sunday worship.

‘Saint Nicholas is our guy’*
Christianity Today: A conversation with printmaker Ned Bustard on what traditions teach about the joy of generosity.

Church of England to challenge Tommy Robinson’s ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message
The Guardian: Church leaders respond to the far-right appropriation of Christian symbols with an “Outsiders welcome” message and campaign.

Is fascism inherently Christian?*
The Christian Century: Antifascist writers of the last century grappled with the same bewilderment we do — and they made sense of their politics theologically.

What is ‘papal infallibility?

New print journal for ‘intellectual Catholic women’ to be released in April The Better Part Journal is intended to give women of the Church “hope” by discussing issues that are relevant to them. You heard of the popemobile, now meet the papal lawn mower Pope Leo XIV received the white Electra 2.0 mower during a general audience in mid-November, a gift from Czech manufacturer Swardman.

‘Peace is possible,’ Pope Leo XIV says after visits to Turkey and Lebanon Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said his apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon showed that “peace is possible,” pointing to renewed steps toward Christian unity and powerful encounters with the Lebanese people still seeking justice after the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

 

Why is the Immaculate Conception patroness of the United States?

U.S. bishops unanimously named Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the nation in 1846 during the Sixth Provincial Council of Baltimore.

What is ‘papal infallibility?’ CNA explains an often-misunderstood Church teaching

Father Patrick Flanagan, an association professor of theology at St. John’s University, told CNA the doctrine of papal infallibility “does not concern the pope’s character.”

Philadelphia Archdiocese prays St. Andrew novena for fallen away Catholics

New Slovak Virgin Mary mosaic highlights spiritual bonds between Slovakia and Vatican

Among other bishops and diplomats, two cardinals took part: the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Re, and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti.

Christ Pratt to release documentary on tomb of St. Peter The film, produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St. Peter, and AF Films, will be released in 2026 for the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of the basilica

Philadelphia Archdiocese prays St. Andrew novena for fallen away Catholics The “St. Andrew Novena for the 83%,” organized by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for the New Evangelization, is running from Nov. 30 through Dec. 24.

On visit to Detroit, patriarch of Jerusalem focuses on hope for Holy Land Christians

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed cautious hope for peace in Gaza.

‘Sons of Thunder’ vocations group teaches boys how to be Catholic men

A New Jersey priest has launched a group for young men called the Sons of Thunder, which takes its name from Mark 3:17.