Update It turns out that Pope Francis did not say that animals are going to heaven nbsp Paul VI said it nbsp The illuminating tale of how this supposed quote ended up on the front page of The New York Times is covered by David Gibson here at RNS nbsp It 39 s an excellent piece of journalisti

When President Obama spoke to the nation of Nov 20 making his case for taking executive action on immigration he turned to Scripture ldquo we shall not oppress a stranger for we know the heart of a stranger We were strangers once too rdquo Even those with little familiarity with the Bible

'We see ourselves, not in competition within the church, but...with secular media.'

'The avoidance of these funeral rites may short-circuit grief and healing,' bishop said.

Has the time come for a truth and reconciliation commission on racial justice?

Given the state of race relations in our country it may seem superfluous to be writing about the remembrance of a person who is popularly portrayed in the culture as a white bearded jolly fellow in a red suit and black boots with a sack overloaded with presents for expectant children waiting and dr