For Muslims around the world, Ramadan combines religious reflection and charity with festive celebrations as families gather for the evening meal breaking the fast.
Religion and Values
Victims of Catholic nuns feel overlooked in the clergy sex abuse crisis
‘It’s time to restore the balance,’ they say, in addressing sexual abuse by women in religious orders and positions.
Far-right Catholic news site likely to close in wake of New Hampshire priest’s defamation case
A 2019 Church Militant article cast aspersions on the emotional state of a Manchester church official, said he had ‘botched’ his work and was known as a ‘troublemaker’ in the Vatican – all claims the site now acknowledges were not properly vetted.
Federal judge rejects Bangor school’s request to scrap anti-discrimination law ahead of trial
Crosspoint Church accused Maine of discriminating against religious schools whose policies violate the state’s Human Rights Act. The state says giving them taxpayer dollars would allow discrimination against students.
Maine church leaders call for gun violence prevention, weekend of prayer
The Maine Council of Churches and Episcopal Diocese of Maine are encouraging all faith traditions to join in Gun Safety Awareness Sabbath.
Bishop Deeley to retire from Catholic Diocese of Portland
Bishop Robert Deeley, who has led the diocese in Maine for the past decade, will be succeeded by the Rev. James T. Ruggieri.
Almost 80 years after the Holocaust, 245,000 Jewish survivors are still alive
Twenty percent of survivors are older than 90.
Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will
Their statement is the closest thing to a continent-wide dissent from the declaration Pope Francis approved Dec. 18 allowing priests to offer such blessings.
Pope’s policy on same-sex blessings met with welcome in Maine, but there are questions
Some Catholics say it’s further evidence that Pope Francis is moving to curb discrimination in the church; others say the announcement heralds no real change at all.
Pope’s approval of gay blessings could have impact in places where rights are restricted
From Uganda to the United States, laws that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people or even criminalize homosexuality have increased in recent years, leaving communities feeling under attack.