The pontiff’s primary aim over the weekend is to encourage Iraq’s dwindling Christian population, which was violently persecuted by the Islamic State group and still faces discrimination by the Muslim majority, to stay and help rebuild the country devastated by wars and strife.
Religion and Values
Posted inLocal & State, News, Religion and Values
Bishop calls for Maine’s Catholics to choose alternatives to Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Bishop Robert Deeley cites concerns about abortion-derived cell lines in connection with the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
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Posted inLife & Culture, Local & State, Morning Sentinel, Religion and Values
Religious leaders in central Maine split on Mills’ house of worship order
Under the governor’s order, houses of worship may now accommodate five people per 1,000 square feet of space, or up to 50 people, whichever is greater.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Religion and Values
Catholic Bishop Deeley says state’s new gathering size limit for churches is ‘unacceptable’
A spokeswoman for Gov. Janet Mills defends the recent updates to capacity limits after the bishop of the Portland Diocese says they will have little impact on most Catholic churches in Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, Religion and Values, Schools and Education
Maine ban on funding religious tuition goes to U.S. Supreme Court
So far, courts have sided with the state, which contends using taxpayer dollars to fund religious education violates the separation of church and state.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World, News, Religion and Values
Sitting on billions, Catholic dioceses amassed taxpayer aid
As the pandemic began to unfold, scores of Catholic dioceses across the U.S. received aid through the Paycheck Protection Program while sitting on well over $10 billion in cash.
Posted inNation & World, Religion and Values
Vatican convicts its former bank chief of embezzling millions
The trial was significant given that it showed a willingness by the Vatican to prosecute its own for shady business deals that have long characterized the Holy See’s murky finances.
Posted inNation & World, Religion and Values
Inauguration week prayer event aims to show Christian unity
Using the slogan and social media tag #PeaceWithJustice, the effort aims to counter feelings of helplessness.
Posted inLocal & State, Religion and Values
Shuttered by water damage, Portland synagogue readying to reopen for 100th year
Though there no plans for religious services, Etz Chaim Synagogue is home to the Maine Jewish Museum, which has a new exhibition in the works.
Posted inNation & World, Politics, Religion and Values
Trump-supporting Christian leaders and their Sunday messages
On the first Sunday since a mob Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, the messages from the pulpits of Christian leaders who’ve backed Trump were as disparate as the opinions of the nation’s citizenry.