New U.S. Ecumenical Group FoundedChristian Churches Together in the USAthe broadest, most inclusive ecumenical movement in U.S. historywas officially founded during a gathering near Atlanta, Ga., on March 28-31. Its founding 34 Christian churches and national organizations represent more than 100 mi

Jerusalem Church Leaders on Israeli ElectionsThe Patriarchs and church leaders of Jerusalem have issued the following statement, dated March 29, written after the elections in Israel. It read in part:The Israeli citizens voted yesterday for a new Knesset, from whose members a government is expected

Harassed Christians in India Get Morale BoostMembers of the small Christian community in India’s Rajasthan state expressed elation when hundreds of activistsincluding Muslims and secular groupsjoined them to protest the harassment of Christians. Up to 6,000 Christians and others marched silent

Chicago Reports Criticize Handling of AbuseThe Archdiocese of Chicago released on March 20 two reports highly critical of its handling of sexual abuse by clerics. One report focuses on the handling of the cases of priests who were monitored but not immediately removed from ministry after abuse alleg

Conscience Must Concur With Moral PrinciplesResponding to a recent statement by Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives affirming the primacy of conscience in their voting decisions, three key leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said conscience must be consistent with funda

Pope Pius XI and Benedict XVI at Vatican RadioThe idea of capturing and carrying someone’s voice across oceans and continents was a radical idea at the turn of the 20th century, and one pope saw the groundbreaking possibilities in such a project. Pope Pius XI was fascinated by this awesome inv