Heidi Schlumpf
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
đ€ 803
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Religion journalist; co-host of the Francis Effect podcast
[email protected]
Excellent reporting from the bishops' meeting by Aleja Herzler-McCain at RNS:
add a skeleton here at some point
about 24 hours ago
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My analysis: I'm glad the bishops spoke out about immigration but the only way to get "unity" on this issue was to be careful to still placate the Trump administration.
www.commonwealmagazine.org/bishops-stat...
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Bishopsâ Statement on Immigration Falls Short
The USCCB released a statement in support of immigrantsâbut its failure to mention Trump and ICE undermines its welcome message.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/bishops-statement-immigration-falls-short
about 24 hours ago
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My new employer is doing a fundraising pitch today, on its 101st anniversary. If you're grateful they hired me, maybe throw in a few bucks. Thanks!!
@commonweal.bsky.social
subscribe.commonwealmagazine.org/CMW/?f=donat...
4 days ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Tom Carter
7 days ago
This is a good book. I read it in one afternoon this summer. Lots of insight into how todayâs rad-trad Team Leonard Leo Opus Dei political Catholics came about.
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
www.americamagazine.org/books/2025/1...
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Review: Catholic militants in the present day
In 'Catholic Fundamentalism in America,' Mark Massa, S.J., describes the birth and growth of Catholic fundamentalism over the past six decades.
https://www.americamagazine.org/books/2025/11/07/review-catholic-militants-in-the-present-day/
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In honor of my new position, Commonweal is offering a FREE 1-year subscription to the magazine to my friends and family. This link is good for 24 hours, until 8 am Thursday, Nov. 6:
subscribe.commonwealmagazine.org/CMW/?f=freet...
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Commonweal
https://subscribe.commonwealmagazine.org/CMW/?f=freetrial1yr&s=I25FRFMLY
10 days ago
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Thanks for the kind words, Steve.
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
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Some professional news! I have so much respect for their leadership and team and look forward to contributing to their excellent content.
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
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I was honored to be asked to write the entry on the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church for Encyclopedia Britannica:
www.britannica.com/topic/Cathol...
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Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Crisis | Cases, Scandal, United States, Ireland, & Facts | Britannica
Since the 1980s and â90s, sexual abuse by clergy and other church members has permeated every aspect of the Roman Catholic Church. Learn more about the global abuse crisis and the Vaticanâs response.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Catholic-Church-Sexual-Abuse-Crisis
19 days ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Max Kuzma
25 days ago
Fantastic event tonight with Future Church listening to
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
futurechurch.org/fall-event/
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FutureChurch's 2025 Fall Event
FutureChurch's 35th Annual Fall Event: "The Spirit Still Speaks" with Heidi Schlumpf, Cynthia Bailey Manns, and Barbara Ann Kozee.
https://futurechurch.org/fall-event/
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This is one of the most beautiful essays I've read in a long time.
www.commonwealmagazine.org/gently-they-go
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Gently They Go
"When a ninety-year-old Catholic mother dies, a man whoâs been at the parish for fewer than six years puts on a robe, says a few words, and then we go home. And every time I think, you have no idea wh...
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/gently-they-go
22 days ago
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Congratulations to Michael O'Loughlin on being named the next executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter.
www.ncronline.org/news/ncr-nam...
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NCR names Michael O'Loughlin as executive editor
O'Loughlin brings more than 15 years of experience in religion journalism, as a reporter, editor, podcast host and author. He will step into the position in January.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/ncr-names-michael-oloughlin-executive-editor
26 days ago
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Fr. Dowling drew an additional conclusion about ICEâs refusal to let clergy inside: âThey are afraid of people of faith." Steven Millies: "Pressure from religious groups works, but there will need to be more of it."
@stevenpmillies.com
religionnews.com/2025/10/15/i...
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ICE turned away the body of Christ. Catholics must keep showing up anyway.
(RNS) â Catholics processed in prayer had hoped to send eight people into a Chicago-area ICE facility to distribute Holy Communion.
https://religionnews.com/2025/10/15/ice-turned-away-the-body-of-christ-catholics-must-keep-showing-up-anyway/
30 days ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Dean Dettloff
about 1 month ago
For what it's worth
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
did a good job exploring some of the weird discourse about the Catholic vote a while back:
www.ncronline.org/news/there-a...
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Is there anything Catholic about the so-called Catholic vote?
Election results indicate shifts among Catholics overall, especially white Catholics, as well as with Latino voters â and point to abortion's growing insignificance as a political issue.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/there-anything-catholic-about-so-called-catholic-vote
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Paul Lakeland's must-read review of John Gehring's book about Catholicism and Trump:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/heavy-lift
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Heavy Lift?
John Gehringâs 'Reclaiming American Catholicism' is an exhaustive account of Catholicism in the Trump era and all that we face to reclaim the faith.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/heavy-lift
about 1 month ago
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RIP Sr. Jean
about 1 month ago
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A reminder that you can watch tonight's lecture via Livestream at 7pm Eastern.
events.fairfield.edu/event/the-25...
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The 25th Annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan Lecture on Women in the Church
https://events.fairfield.edu/event/the-25th-annual-anne-drummey-ocallaghan-lecture-on-women-in-the-church
about 1 month ago
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Thank you to Jack Jenkins for this report on religious protesters in Chicago and how they're being treated.
@jackjenkins.me
religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...
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Religious protesters say ICE threatens religious freedom in Chicago
(RNS) â Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as âLove thy neighborâ and âWho w...
https://religionnews.com/2025/10/07/in-chicago-clergy-and-religious-protesters-say-ice-is-threatening-their-religious-freedom/
about 1 month ago
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Pay attention. Trump thinks he can cancel the 1st amendment.
about 1 month ago
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Dan Horan on the development of doctrine and his belief that "the Holy Spirit will inevitably prevail."
www.ncronline.org/opinion/can-...
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Can doctrine be changed? Another look at Pope Leo's comment on LGBTQ+ Catholics
Reflecting on Pope Leo's recent comment in an interview, Daniel Horan suggests we look to history for the ways in which changing attitudes did eventually result in changing doctrine.
https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/can-doctrine-be-changed-another-look-pope-leos-comment-lgbtq-catholics
about 1 month ago
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What's interesting to me about this is that Leo was taking questions from a journalist --and we didn't even have to wait for a plane trip!
cruxnow.com/church-in-th...
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Pope weighs in on Durbin controversy hours before senator declines award
Pope Leo XIV waded into a leadership controversy in the United States on Tuesday, mere hours before the dispute became largely academic.
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2025/10/pope-weighs-in-on-durbin-controversy-hours-before-senator-declines-award
about 1 month ago
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"A prominent Church leader and a U.S. senator, brought together to speak for immigrants would have brought a lot of attention to the problem. That opportunity is gone now. All the attention has been wrested away to abortion." --Steven Millies
open.substack.com/pub/millies/...
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"Millions of Abortions Have Continued"
Abortion Cancel Culture Wins Again. What Was Gained?
https://open.substack.com/pub/millies/p/millions-of-abortions-have-continued?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=60ugln
about 2 months ago
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New episode of the Francis Effect podcast: Heidi, Daniel and David discuss Pope Leo's first interview and the effects on free speech after recent bouts of alleged political violence. Also, my interview with sociologist Tricia Bruce about synodality.
francisfxpod.com/current/2511
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Pope Leo's long interview, free speech fallout, and Tricia Bruce on synodality â The Francis Effect
Heidi, Daniel, and David explore what we might learn from the first official interviews with the Holy Father. We then turn to the recent bouts of alleged political violence and the chilling effects on...
https://francisfxpod.com/current/2511
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Commonweal
about 2 months ago
At a People's Mass outside a reported ICE hub, clergy and community members preached a God who stands with the oppressed. Reporting from
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/chicago-ice-...
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Fear Not
At a People's Mass outside a reported ICE hub, clergy and community members preached a God who stands with the oppressed.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/chicago-ice-immigration-peoples-mass-schlumpf-trump
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If you don't already subscribe to Commonweal, you should based on this essay by editor Dominic Preziosi alone:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/preziosi-kir...
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American Babel
MAGA partisans cannot plausibly celebrate Kirk as a champion of free speech while threatening to silence anyone who dares to criticize him.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/preziosi-kirk-charlie-assassination-trump-maga-language?check_logged_in=1
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Commonweal
2 months ago
Scholars gathered at the sociology of religion meeting in Chicago still saw synodality as the most encouraging cause for hope in the American Church. New reporting from
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-soc...
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Still Positive on Synodality
Scholars gathered at the sociology of religion meeting in Chicago still saw synodality as the most encouraging cause for hope in the American Church.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/schlumpf-sociology-religion-conference-synodality-church
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My latest reflection at US Catholic magazine, where I manage to work in decluttering for Jesus.
uscatholic.org/articles/202...
2 months ago
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CONGRATS to Elise Ann Allen of Crux for landing the first interview with Pope Leo XIV!!
cruxnow.com/vatican/2025...
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Leo gives first exclusive interview to Crux correspondent for new bio
Notoriously media-shy Pope Leo XIV has given his first-ever papal interview to Crux Senior Correspondent Elise Ann Allen as part of her new biography of the pontiff.
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/09/leo-gives-first-exclusive-interview-to-crux-correspondent-for-new-bio
2 months ago
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My essay in Commonweal:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-maga-c...
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Are Catholic Women Turning to Trump?
In 2024, Trump made gains among men of all ages, races, and most religious persuasions. But he also made significant inroads among some womenâespecially Catholic women.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-maga-catholic-women-gender-gap-schlumpf
2 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
đđđđđ đŒđđđđđđ
3 months ago
Labor Day is for workers, not an occupation.
religionnews.com/2025/08/28/l...
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Labor Day and Catholic teaching esteem a better kind of politics. Militarizing our cities isn't it.
(RNS) â Believers know that this is not how we are meant to live with one another.
https://religionnews.com/2025/08/28/labor-day-and-catholic-teaching-esteem-a-better-kind-of-politics-militarizing-our-cities-isnt-it/
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My latest for Commonweal: the gender gap has narrowed among Catholic and evangelical women, especially white women:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-maga-c...
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Are Catholic Women Turning to Trump?
In 2024, Trump made gains among men of all ages, races, and most religious persuasions. But he also made significant inroads among some womenâespecially Catholic women.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/trump-maga-catholic-women-gender-gap-schlumpf
3 months ago
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The Francis Effect podcast is back for its 17th season and its first episode dropped today. It includes an interview with Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, about nuclear disarmament. Check it out:
francisfxpod.com/current/2509
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Our summer, Trump's summer, and an interview with Archbishop Wester â The Francis Effect
Heidi, Daniel, and David catch up on the many projects and changes they've been working on over the summer break. They also recap the many moves of the Trump administration and what they might mean fo...
https://francisfxpod.com/current/2509
3 months ago
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Excited to be in the print edition of Commonweal!
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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"It seems like Republican support for religious freedom is selective. And, being selective, their commitment to âcelebrate and protect religious freedomâ looks insincere." So glad
@stevenpmillies.com
is writing for
@religionnews.com.web.brid.gy
!
religionnews.com/2025/08/07/a...
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Archbishop's win at 'Alligator Alcatraz' exposes GOP religious freedom hypocrisy
(RNS) â This summer has brought these contradictions into sharp focus.
https://religionnews.com/2025/08/07/archbishops-win-at-alligator-alcatraz-exposes-gop-religious-freedom-hypocrisy
3 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
đđđđđ đŒđđđđđđ
4 months ago
My colleague & friend
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
is back at work here with
@religionnews.com.web.brid.gy
, where I also am very pleased to be contributing semi-regularly now. These are dark days and also, for things like the Dorothea Project, encouraging too.
religionnews.com/2025/07/22/c...
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Catholic moms plead with their bishops to speak out on migrant detention
(RNS) â A new online group, the Dorothea Project, aims to bring attention to Catholic social teaching.
https://religionnews.com/2025/07/22/catholic-moms-plead-with-their-bishops-to-speak-out-on-migrant-detention/
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Well done, good and faithful servant.
abc7chicago.com/post/sister-...
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https://abc7chicago.com/post/sister-pat-death-chicago-area-nun-patricia-murphy-known-advocate-immigrants-dies-96/17278598/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Manu Mayrink
4 months ago
Muito interessante - e esperançosa - esta reportagem de
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
sobre o Dorothea Project, um grupo de mĂŁes catĂłlicas dos EUA que se uniram para protestar contra a polĂtica de imigração de Trump, entendendo que Jesus mesmo era um refugiado
www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...
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Catholic moms plead with their bishops to speak out on migrant detention
"I always say that moms can act as the moral compass of a society," Katie Holler, founder of the Dorothea Project, said.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/catholic-moms-plead-their-bishops-speak-out-migrant-detention
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My first freelance piece for Religion News Service was published today. Read about some Catholic women who are trying to push back against the Trump administration, especially on the issue of migrant detention:
religionnews.com/2025/07/22/c...
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Catholic moms plead with their bishops to speak out on migrant detention
(RNS) â A new online group, the Dorothea Project, aims to bring attention to Catholic social teaching.
https://religionnews.com/2025/07/22/catholic-moms-plead-with-their-bishops-to-speak-out-on-migrant-detention/
4 months ago
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Thanks
@mollieoreilly.bsky.social
dor this:
share.google/2nqiYvTEf77y...
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Pope Leo and Women
Instead of an assembly of men trying to come up with a theology that explains women, I want to see the Church settle on one theology for everyone.
https://share.google/2nqiYvTEf77yccAgl
4 months ago
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And Nicole Sotelo always renews my spirit too! Thanks for the coffee and conversation!
add a skeleton here at some point
4 months ago
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Memes are how you do politics now. This is how you reach people. Intellectualism doesnât have a place anymore." Frightening piece about groypers, Nick Fuentes and the racist right.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/o...
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Opinion | Trolling Democracy
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/opinion/trolling-democracy.html?smid=nytcore-android-share
4 months ago
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Another review of my former colleague Chris White's book about Pope Leo, this one by Austin Ivereigh.
@christopherwhite.bsky.social
@austeni.bsky.social
@commonweal.bsky.social
www.commonwealmagazine.org/brunson-chri...
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The Early Edition
In Christopher White's 'insta-book' on Leo's early papacy, Pope Francis is a central figure. In Matthew Bunson's biography of the new pope, Francis hardly exists.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/brunson-christopher-white-leo-prevost-ivereigh-francis
4 months ago
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My last story for NCR, written before I was laid off, about CORPUS, the group for married priests, disbanding:
@ncronline.bsky.social
www.ncronline.org/news/corpus-...
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CORPUS, group for married priests, disbands after 50 years
CORPUS is disbanding, citing the advanced age of its membership and lack of new members. The reform group, an "national association for an inclusive priesthood," officially closed at the end of Decemb...
https://www.ncronline.org/news/corpus-group-married-priests-disbands-after-50-years
4 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Tom Carter
5 months ago
Interesting âaward winningâ analysis of Thomas Aquinas, his thought and where Team Leonard Leo gets him wrong. By
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
formerly of
@ncronline.bsky.social
uscatholic.org/articles/202...
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Would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist?
The "Angelic Doctor" has become an icon for conservative Catholics. But are his biggest fans misrepresenting his legacy?
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202406/would-thomas-aquinas-be-a-thomist/
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I'm honored that my work was recognized with 10 awards from the Catholic Media Association, both at the National Catholic Reporter and U.S. Catholic, including several first-place awards. Congrats to all my colleagues who also took home honors!!
5 months ago
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reposted by
Heidi Schlumpf
Commonweal
5 months ago
A new group of Catholic "mom bloggers"âwithout the reactionary politicsâare living their faith, feminism, and motherhood in bold ways. A feature for the magazine by
@heidischlumpf.bsky.social
:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/mom-bloggers...
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'What We Do in Our Homes Really Matters'
A new group of Catholic "mom bloggers"âwithout the reactionary politicsâare living their faith, feminism, and motherhood in bold ways.
https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/mom-bloggers-catholic-schlumpf-heidi-evans-feminism-Bellm
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Masked agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement scattered in the federal courthouse building Friday morning (June 20) when they saw a group of religious leaders, including Bishop-designate Michael Pham of San Diego.
www.ncronline.org/news/san-die...
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San Diego faith leaders say their presence made a difference at deportation hearings
Bishop-designate Michael Pham joined religious leaders who showed support and prayed with immigrants and refugees facing deportation hearings in San Diego on World Refugee Day.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/san-diego-faith-leaders-say-their-presence-made-difference-deportation-hearings
5 months ago
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RIP Roger Haight. This is from 2 years ago when he received the John Courtney Murray award from the CTSA. (Haight had actually known him.)
www.ncronline.org/news/theolog...
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Theologian Roger Haight honored with CTSA's John Courtney Murray Award
A theologian and Jesuit priest whose writings had previously been censured by the Vatican was recognized with the highest award from the Catholic Theological Society of America at its June 8-11 confer...
https://www.ncronline.org/news/theologian-roger-haight-honored-ctsas-john-courtney-murray-award
5 months ago
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Thank you for all the kind words yesterday. A note: I will still be writing about faith and religion as a freelancer for several outlets--and I'll be back in the fall with the Francis Effect Podcast. So I'll still be contributing to the Catholic journalism world, just not at NCR.
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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After 16 years with the National Catholic Reporter (as a columnist, correspondent and executive editor/VP), I have been laid off for financial reasons. Iâm proud of the work I did and will be taking some time before deciding whatâs next. My new contact information is in my bio.
5 months ago
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I was at Rate Field for the Pope Leo XIV celebration Saturday. Here's my coverage:
uscatholic.org/articles/202...
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Addressing Chicago crowd, Pope Leo stresses unity and peace
At the hometown celebration for Pope Leo, the crowd was joyful and diverse, and the message was one of hope.
https://uscatholic.org/articles/202506/in-address-to-chicago-crowd-pope-leo-stresses-unity-and-peace/
5 months ago
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