Thomas Reese
Senior Analyst at Religion News Service, Jesuit priest, author of "Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church" religionnews.com/author/tomreese/ https://bsky.app/profile/rns.org
- Mamdani taps liberal NY Jewish leader to run antisemitism office religionnews.com/2026/02/05/m... @fiona-ndre.bsky.social
Mamdani taps liberal NY Jewish leader to run antisemitism office
(RNS) — Her appointment comes as Mamdani faces criticism for revoking the city administration’s adoption of the IHRA antisemitism definition.religionnews.com AI needs to be trained on a theology of human dignity
(RNS) — Basing AI’s principles on ‘the moral view of the whole world’ is both incoherent and dangerous.religionnews.comAs universities shutter DEI offices, progressive Christian groups open their doors
(RNS) — Several of these groups are connected with ZOE, an emerging network of progressive Christian student ministries.religionnews.comChristians have a duty to confront Islamophobia, ministers argue in new book
(RNS) — In ‘Confronting Islamophobia in the Church: Liturgical Tools for Justice,’ the authors argue that learning about Islam can help Christians better appreciate and practice their own tradition.religionnews.comAt dueling National Prayer Breakfasts, a religious debate over Trump's immigration policy
(RNS) — Trump told the crowd at the Washington Hilton, ‘I’ve done more for religion than any other president.’religionnews.com- My @rns.org column: Is church unity worth a Latin Mass? religionnews.com/2026/02/05/i...
Is church unity worth a Latin Mass?
(RNS) — They should know that we are Christians by our love, not know that we are Catholics by our fights.religionnews.com Call on the White House to End Harmful Deportation Practices
Urge the White House to end harmful deportation practices that separate families, undermine religious freedom, and violate human dignity.jrsusa.orgA Trump ‘Blockade’ Is Stalling Hundreds of Wind and Solar Projects Nationwide
nytimes.comCatholic Bishops in Africa, U.S. Pen Joint Statement Urging “mutual solidarity” for Integral Human Development
Members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have called for “renewed frate...aciafrica.orgOpinion | A Law That Might Just Save the Midterms
nytimes.comThe Long Goodbye: A California Couple Self-Deports to Mexico
Enrique Castillejos and his wife, Maria Elena Hernandez, raised a family in California. But they were undocumented immigrants, and after President Trump’s crackdown began, they decided to return to Me...nytimes.comNot all are called to be martyrs like Alex Pretti. But we can be witnesses.
(RNS) — People of faith are being called to view politics through the lens of faith, not the other way around.religionnews.comThe Dignity Act challenges Americans to choose cooperation on immigration
(RNS) — We have the opportunity to make real, tangible progress and bridge the current divide.religionnews.com- Reposted by Thomas Reese[Not loaded yet]
With new book, Sikh researcher hopes to shift the narrative on the Tenth Guru
(RNS) — ‘The wisdom actually doesn’t see this East-West divide or conceptions of medieval (versus) modernity,’ said author Harinder Singh.religionnews.comCatholic rituals blend with Neapolitan folklore in pilgrimage for queer community
MERCOGLIANO, Italy (RNS) — Inside a church just outside Naples, people known as femminielli gathered for La Juta, a centuries-old Candlemas pilgrimage honoring the Madonna of Montevergine.religionnews.com800 years after his death, the legends and legacy of Francis of Assisi endure
(The Conversation) — Medieval texts and frescoes show how Francis of Assisi’s legends formed – and why his call to poverty and care for creation still resonates.religionnews.comFor 2026 Super Bowl, 'He Gets Us' ad goes more personal, less political
(RNS) — The billion-dollar ads have been criticized by some conservative Christians as being too ‘woke’ or liberal in the past. A new take on the campaign will focus on dealing with the struggles of l...religionnews.comClergy protests against ICE turned to a classic – and powerful – American playlist
(The Conversation) — Clergy demonstrating against ICE in Minneapolis have turned to classic ‘freedom songs’ – the music associated with protests ever since the Civil Rights Movement.religionnews.comFrom southern India to Canada's far north: New archbishop serves Indigenous Catholics
(AP) — In a ceremony punctuated by traditional drumming — as well as songs and prayers in an unusual combination of Cree, Dene, English, French, Oji-Cree and his native Tamil — Susai Jesu was consecra...religionnews.comChurch and state in Italy are investigating the appearance of a cherub resembling Meloni
ROME (AP) — The diocese of Rome and the Italian Culture Ministry both launched investigations into the recent renovations at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, after photographs of the Meloni-esqu...religionnews.comNew Video Series: “The Early Society” | The Society of Jesus
The General Curia has recently published a little-known video series by the late Jesuit historian Fr John O’Malley, SJ, exploring the early years of the Society of Jesus. The series offers nine videos...jesuits.globalThe many forms of Holocaust distortion and why JD Vance’s remarks matter
(RNS) — Is there a danger in universalizing the Holocaust?religionnews.comWhy faith leaders have shown little support for ICE in Minneapolis
(RNS) — In 1850, many Christian preachers publicly supported the Fugitive Slave Act against widespread protests. What’s different today?religionnews.comPhotos of the Week: Candlemas, Haitian immigrants
(RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes Candlemas in Mexico, Haitian TPS uncertainty and more.religionnews.comVA chaplains in Mass. told no public prayers mentioning nurses, Alex Pretti
The Washington Post has reported that VA officials in Washington also initially blocked Minneapolis hospital employees from holding a memorial for Pretti, though that decision was later reversed.masslive.comLaura Loomer must resume payments to Muslim advocacy group, judge says
(RNS) — Loomer had stopped the payments in December after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis designated CAIR a foreign terrorist organization.religionnews.comEpstein bought Kaaba covers. What does the sacred Kiswah cloth represent?
(RNS) — The black, gold-embroidered cloth that shrouds Islam’s holiest site in Saudi Arabia is a revered artifact that carries spiritual meaning for Muslims worldwide.religionnews.com- Annotating the Judge’s Decision in the Case of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Annotating the Judge’s Decision in the Case of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE (Gift Article)
Our critic annotates the barbed wordplay of a decision challenging the Trump administration’s theory of executive power.nytimes.com - Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/h...
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts docu...techcrunch.com Francis' actions scrutinized as Vatican appeals court reviews finance trial
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As the Vatican’s highest appeals court reviews the landmark finance trial, defense lawyers are increasingly focusing on an uncomfortable question: the legality of actions taken by...religionnews.comNew PBS docuseries examines the ‘interwoven history’ of Black and Jewish Americans
(RNS) — Despite both having a history of persecution, the groups’ alliance has repeatedly been tested.religionnews.com- Trump’s pro-coal directives could raise energy prices by billions
- For traditional Catholics, Charlotte Communion dispute is a battle line
US Attorney General Pam Bondi announces 2 more arrests in the St. Paul church protest
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The nine were named in a grand jury indictment unsealed Friday. Independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were among four people arrested Friday. Three others were arrested...religionnews.comAt the Grammys, faith and politics collide with Bad Bunny, Jelly Roll and the Dalai Lama
(RNS) — The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism won the Grammy over comedian Trevor Noah and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.religionnews.com- Pope Francis' problematic secret decrees in spotlight in Vatican's 'trial of the century' apnews.com/article/vati...
Pope Francis' problematic secret decrees in spotlight in Vatican's 'trial of the century'
Defense lawyers in the Vatican’s “trial of the century” have argued that Pope Francis violated the fundamental rights of their clients by issuing four secret decrees that gave prosecutors “surreal car...apnews.com Archbishop Coakley Calls on Policymakers to Pursue Diplomatic Negotiations and Maintain New START’s Limits
“The dangers posed by current conflicts around the world, including the devastating war in Ukraine, make the forthcoming expiration of New START simply una...usccb.orgArchbishop Coakley Calls on Policymakers to Pursue Diplomatic Negotiations and Maintain New START’s Limits
“The dangers posed by current conflicts around the world, including the devastating war in Ukraine, make the forthcoming expiration of New START simply una...usccb.orgIn Commemoration of Black History Month, “Let Us Be Faithful Stewards of Memory,” Say Bishop Garcia and Bishop Campbell
"This February marks one hundred years of commemorating Black history in the United States. This milestone is an opportunity for us to prayerfully reflect on...usccb.orgWhen Mormons say to comply with ICE incursions, we're forgetting our own history
(RNS) — In 1857, when Latter-day Saints deemed actions emanating from Washington, DC, to be significant breaches of constitutional norms, they didn’t comply, they resisted.religionnews.comTurkey seeks to broker US-Iran talks by week's end
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two Turkish officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said Turkey is trying to organize a meeting be...religionnews.comJudge stops Noem from ending Haitians' protected status, but fear of ICE remains
(RNS) – Monday’s ruling came just over 24 hours before TPS status was set to expire for some 350,000 Haitians.religionnews.comThis doctor couldn't save one Palestinian toddler. Now he hopes to save all Gazan children.
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — A 53-year-old Kuwaiti-born and US-trained doctor is the unlikely visionary who has won the support of Israeli authorities for a sprawling new philanthropic enterprise in the Gaza ...religionnews.comA Muslim-owned thrift shop blends modest fashion, faith and sustainability
NEW YORK (RNS) — Modify Thrift, which opened last May, aims to offer modest, stylish outfits while debunking stereotypes about Muslim women.religionnews.com- 154 Episcopal bishops issue message calling for immigration policies respecting the dignity of all
Community devastated after congregant arrested during immigration raid on L.A. church grounds
A San Fernando Valley community is outraged and devastated after federal immigration agents forced their way onto the grounds of a church during a food giveaway and arrested a man who church offici…ktla.comRev. James Martin on Our Moral Duty in Turbulent Times
nytimes.comMaine clergy form spiritual 'shield' outside workplaces to protect immigrants from ICE
(RNS) — Like religious leaders in cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago and elsewhere, local clergy were quick to muster resistance to the rapid influx of immigration enforcement agents, even as they wr...religionnews.comOpinion | This Is Not a Drill
nytimes.comConservative influencers don't actually believe empathy is toxic
(RNS) — Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney just want to make sure you're empathizing with those they deem worthy of empathy.religionnews.com
