faith and politics Archives

‘Neo-Protestant’ challenge seen in France’s political upheaval

French Protestants make up only two percent of the population of France. Lutherans and Calvinists, respected by the Catholic majority as hardworking and honest, are in numerical decline while immigration is boosting the evangelical ranks. A leading French intellectual says this is changing the political culture of the country.

A Jesuit chaplain shepherds Congress’s divided flock

Discussing his position as chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Jesuit Father Patrick J. Conroy says, “The Jesuits didn’t come looking for this job, for this position, but it was a natural. It’s in our DNA, and sure, if having a Jesuit would be of assistance to the men and women of Congress and the work that they’re doing, by all means.”

France’s new president is a ‘zombie Catholic’
- Catholic News Agency, Global Church
- May 12, 2017
Newly-elected President Emmanuel Macron won 3 out of 4 votes in the Catholic stronghold region of Brittany in France, making him in effect the champion of what some are calling “zombie Catholicism.” The dormant Catholics in France favored the religious yet pro separation of Church and State candidate.
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How the British developed a taste for religion in politics
- Global Church, Religion News Service
- May 8, 2017
“Society is much more pluralistic today,” Nick Spencer, of the religion think tank Theos, said. “We share our space with a wide variety of people and we don’t always believe what they believe. For many people now the default is not religion. So when we have a believing politician, many people don’t know what having faith means, so they are fascinated by it.”
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At Rome summit, Africa’s Church faces its growing pains
- AfricaUND, Global Church
- March 23, 2017
On day one of a March 22-25 summit of African Catholic leaders in Rome, there was a strong sense that after a period of explosive growth for the Church on the continent, there’s a need to reflect and take stock across the board, in areas ranging from theology and liturgy to the role of women and politics.
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