RNS Weekly Digest: Vatican groups report progress, and tensions, on women and LGBTQ inclusion

Vatican groups report progress, and tensions, on women and LGBTQ inclusion

After Pope Francis’ death, the study groups he created to address some of the most hot-button issues facing the Catholic Church, including the role of women, polygamy and inclusion of LGBTQ Catholics, received an extension to publish their final reports by the end of the year. And on Monday (Nov. 17), the study groups published a rare update on their work, with some areas showing progress and others facing challenges. The study groups consisting of experts, clergy and laypeople were established in March 2024, after the Synod on Synodality, a gathering of bishops and lay Catholics at the Vatican to promote a more welcoming and missionary church. Since then, the groups have worked with the Vatican on implementing decisions made at the synod.  The group charged with reflecting on women in the church consisted of members of the Vatican’s department for doctrine. They plan to publish their final report in the coming months, to be divided into three parts: the first an overview of the study group; the second presenting its findings; and finally information gathered about women in church history, current experiences of women in church leadership and the curia, theological reflections, tensions regarding “clericalism and chauvinism” and the contributions of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV regarding women’s roles in the church, according to the update.  Religion & Politics Texas governor calls CAIR a terrorist organization, says he will enforce penalties At least seven faith leaders arrested at Broadview ICE facility protest Why Trump's immigration crackdown may make America less Christian Photos of the Week: Cooking kimchi, Turkey preps for Pope Leo Devotees pray with lamps during a ritual of Rakher Upobash, a Hindu religious festival that involves a daylong fast and overnight prayer seeking spiritual purification, honoring Hindu saint Loknath Brahmachari, at a temple in Chakla, West Bengal, India, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) In Opinion On the right, Judeo-Christian values are out and Christian nationalism is in How authentically Mormon are Hulu's 'Mormon Wives'? Pope Leo embraces the radical challenge of Catholic social teaching And finally, Bible sales keep growing, even as many Americans lose their religion Many Americans may have lost faith in organized religion, but according to recent data, they still love the Good Book. As of September, Bible sales were up 11% this year over 2024, part of a continuing boom in Bible sales. That includes 2.4 million sold in September 2025 as part of a surge that coincided with the death of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk, according to data from Circana, a company that tracks book sales. All told, more than 18 million Bibles have been sold so far this year.  “Sales for Bibles have been steadily growing in the U.S. since 2021 and have set unprecedented annual sales records since 2022,” Brenna Connor, an industry analyst at Circana BookScan, told RNS in an email. “2024 marked a 20-year high for Bible sales in the U.S., and 2025 is on track to surpass these levels, underscoring the growing interest in religious content among U.S. consumers.” Support our responsible reporting on religion Forward this newsletter to a friend Make a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit newsroom here Or mail us a check: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205 Email membership@religionnews.com with a news tip or a comment Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2025 RNS, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - Why Trump's immigration crackdown may make America less Christian

Top Stories Why Trump’s immigration crackdown may make America less Christian (RNS) — America has become less religious because white Americans are less religious. Most recent immigrants are religious, and many are Christians. US Catholic leaders push forward on Pope Francis’ signature theme of synodality (RNS) — Dioceses are adapting the Synod on Synodality’s spirit and techniques into their pastoral planning.  The encampments are gone, but students who protested for Palestinians vow to continue (RNS) — While there are fewer protests on campuses, student activists say that the pro-Palestine student movement is still strong. Texas governor calls CAIR a terrorist organization, says he will enforce penalties (RNS) — Gov. Greg Abbott’s move comes as some Texas political officials oppose the presence of Muslim groups and mosques in the state. Muslim advocates say they fear such rhetoric could lead to violence. Vatican groups report progress, and tensions, on women and LGBTQ inclusion VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican’s synod study groups released a rare update on their work after Pope Francis’ death. It suggests a mix of momentum and gridlock. Opinion On the right, Judeo-Christian values are out and Christian nationalism is in (RNS) — As someone who has been studying the use of ‘Judeo-Christian’ in American public discourse for over 40 years, I can say with confidence its usage has come full circle. Our silence on Sudan reveals a disturbing moral blind spot (RNS) — Why the lack of notable activism in responding to the violence in Sudan? The answer might surprise you. ICYMI How Rutgers University became the battleground for Hindu inclusion (RNS) — Rutgers has long been at the helm of Hindu activism in America. Bible sales keep growing, even as many Americans lose their religion (RNS) —About 18 million Bibles have been sold this year, part of a five-year boom in Bible sales. In Other News Pope Leo calls out ‘extremely disrespectful’ treatment of migrants in the U.S. Federal judge orders some Texas schools to remove Ten Commandment posters Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Copyright © 2025 RNS, All rights reserved.

Uniting Church in Australia - President reflects on nuclear, 2025 Constitution & Regulations out now, new pics from President's Conference & more in National Update

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19 November 2025 National Update Your snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story TREATY ON THE PROHIBITION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS "Banning nuclear weapons will require love to triumph over fear" Australia joining the majority of nations and signing the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons would build trust with our Asia-Pacific neighbours and strengthen our nation's credibility as a peace-builder, writes Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli. The President was published earlier this week in public policy journal Pearls and Irritations, giving voice to the Uniting Church's long-time call that Australia must join the majority of nations and sign the Treaty - the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons. "Those who place their faith in the devastating power of nuclear weapons argue that reliance on US extended nuclear deterrence is essential for national defence," writes the President. "Yet, as the World Council of Churches reminds us, “nuclear faith is a faith that secures death. We want to pursue a faith that leads to life." Read it here REGULATIONS 2025 edition of the Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations out now The 2025 edition of the complete Uniting Church Constitution and Regulations is now available - an essential resource for leaders in the councils of the Uniting Church. Download the PDF from uHub, the Assembly's central resource hub, or order a printed book from Wayzgoose. PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE Brand new pics from the President's Conference We've compiled some of the best photos from the 2025 President's Conference, held in early November in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Hosted by President Rev Charissa Suli in partnership with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, the Conference gathered people from all over Australia, the Pacific and New Zealand. See the photo album here on Flickr, and explore the wonderful photo galleries and videos on our Facebook page. REDRESS SCHEME Reminder: deadline for applications to the National Redress Scheme UCA Redress wishes to remind the Uniting Church and wider community of the deadline for applications to the National Redress Scheme: 30 June 2027. The Uniting Church has affirmed its commitment to justice for survivors and is committed to proactively participating in the Scheme in a trauma informed way. People who may be eligible are encouraged to apply. GLOBAL CHURCH Applications open for WCRC 2026 Internship Programme The World Communion of Reformed Churches is inviting young leaders from member churches to apply for the 2026 Internship Programme, a 12-month placement at the WCRC offices in Germany, beginning in February 2026. Designed for people aged 30 or younger, the programme is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in theology, mission, justice and communications in an ecumenical setting. PALESTINE Kairos Palestine issues anniversary plea This month, Kairos Palestine held its 16th international conference in Bethlehem. The conference not only commemorated the 2009 launch of the Kairos Palestine Document: A Moment of Truth: Faith in the Time of Genocide, but also presented a new Kairos document and call, a renewed theological and moral plea to the global church. The Uniting Climate Action Network will be hosting a prayer vigil focussed on COP30 and the challenge of climate change, tomorrow night 20 November at 7pm. More information and register here. This coming Sunday, the Pacific Conference of Churches will mark its annual Break the Silence Sunday, a reminder of the power of working together to end violence against women and girls in the Pacific. You can download the worship liturgy here - this could be a resource for your community if you are marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence from 25 Nov-10 Dec. ICYMI: check out our collection of resources for your Advent preparation. This week we've added new resources from Intergen for the four weeks of Advent, and an ecumenical collection from the National Council of Churches in Australia. A toolkit of resources for the Act for Peace Christmas Bowl Appeal are available now. November  23 Reign of Christ Sunday 25 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence begins (ends 10 Dec) 30 Advent begins (ends 24 Dec) December 25 Christmas Day January 25 Uniting Church Day of Mourning 26 Australia/Survival Day Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar. Have a story to share? National Update is sent every Wednesday. We gladly welcome contributions of stories, news and events from across the Uniting Church. Email comms@nat.uca.org.au Join us in prayer for... The Assembly Standing Committee, meeting this weekend in Sydney. All working for a world free of the existential threat that is nuclear weapons. How we embody power and leadership as a Church. May we follow the example of Christ the King, serving the world in self-giving love. Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

Administrative Assistant - Koonung Heights Uniting Church (Melbourne) A great opportunity in a friendly local congregational setting for someone with general administration or office management experience. Legal Officer - Uniting Church Queensland Synod The purpose of this role is to investigate, provide legal services, and manage complaints and discipline matters.

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