Religion News Service

The outpouring of affection for Queen Elizabeth II has surprised cynics. But people saw something special in Elizabeth — more than the pageantry and splendor of the monarchy, the celebrity eye candy that surrounded her.

Members of Apache Stronghold, a nonprofit working to protect the Apache sacred site in Arizona known as Oak Flat, are requesting a rehearing in their case against the United States as they seek to stop a private venture from turning the land into an underground copper mine.

On Sept. 3, 56 pilgrims from four countries gathered in Mexico City to celebrate St. Phoebe’s feast day and consider how they might urge the Catholic Church to reclaim the diaconate for women.

Will the synodal process work? Will it help heal divisions and foster a community that can spread the Gospel, care for the marginalized and heal the Earth? Or will it show the world how divided we Catholics are?

 "We worship God by caring for creation," reads the 50-page report titled "Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment."

"As a very powerful spiritual and musical modality, hip-hop raises serious questions regarding the holy and the profane," said museum curator Eric Williams.

"What they're describing is total devastation. For a lot of people, everything has been wiped away," said a spokesperson with Catholic Relief Services.

The Gospels ask us to look beyond the borders of our community, beyond the borders of our neighborhoods and beyond the borders of our nation.

The judge said the guidance’s lack of exceptions for health care providers ‘with genuinely held religious objections to abortions’ may run afoul of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

When the world's cardinals meet in Rome, the pope will create 21 new cardinals, then ask them and their new colleagues to discuss curial reforms. This will also allow them to get to know one another before the next conclave.

About 80 Robb Elementary families are attempting to transfer their children to Sacred Heart Catholic School, according to the nonprofit Catholic Extension.

In her new song "Church Girl," Beyoncé doesn't just give church girls permission to dance, she also defends us.

Thomas Reese: Any procedure for removing an incapacitated pope should not be quick or easy, but it should be public.

While the Vatican hopes for a diplomatic resolution, Catholic leaders cater to Ukrainian faithful on the ground.

Phyllis Zagano: The synod is a worldwide event, and early reports from bishops' conferences outside the U.S. repeat the same story: Clericalism is a scourge on the church, and women are not respected or included in leadership.

The report, "Beyond Bad Apples," explores the links between clericalism — clergy's focus on its authority — and clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse. 

Commentary: Like in "Apollo 13, " Ron Howard's new film "Thirteen Lives" shows how teamwork, ingenuity and outside-the-box thinking can solve seemingly impossible missions. With passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, we can begin to summon the same dogged determination on climate change.

News of the federal investigations comes several months after the nation's largest denomination passed new reforms aimed at addressing abuse.

An unauthorized church production of the hit musical caused an uproar among fans. "Are you telling me that no one involved in putting on this show asked the question, can we do this?" one commentator said.

Some adoptees are challenging the often-religious argument that adoption is a simple, sacred and mutually beneficial solution to abortion.