Lead story
Editor's note:
Several Republican-led states are pushing to ban gender-affirming care for young people, and dozens of bills are pending in state legislatures to restrict trans rights. Executive orders issued under the Trump administration have portrayed gender-affirming policies as anti-Christian, even though not all Christians are anti-trans.
In fact, in medieval times, Christianity honored saints who would be called “transgender” today. The University of Iowa’s Sarah Barringer writes that there are “at least 34 documented stories of transgender saints’ lives from the early centuries of Christianity.”
The saints’ lives were told as morality tales that encouraged people to emulate their Christian values. According to Barringer, transitioning between male and female was a metaphor for “transitioning from pagan to Christian, affluence to poverty, worldliness to spirituality.”
This history, Barringer argues, offers “many opportunities to embrace transness” as an essential part of the faith’s values.
Religion News
The conclave was easy, say Francis allies, who see Leo as natural successor
Andrea Riccardi said he believes Pope Francis anointed Pope Leo XIV as his successor. By Claire Giangravé/Religion News Service
Satanic Temple accuses Iowa officials of religious discrimination
The Satanic Temple Iowa on Tuesday filed a complaint accusing state officials of discriminating against the group because of its members’ religion, having denied them access to the state Capitol building for a December holiday event. By Hannah Fingerhut/The Associated Press
The SBC’s Executive Committee has spent millions defending itself against former leaders accused of abuse. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service
Sweat, tears, devotion: Pilgrims cross the wilderness to honor the Rocío Virgin in Spain
In southern Spain, about a million people have participated in the annual pilgrimage honoring the Rocío Virgin. It’s one of world’s largest and most unique Catholic pilgrimages — resembling a rolling, wild party, complete with ox-drawn wagons and plenty of wine and beer. By Giovanna Dell’Orto/The Associated Press
Inside a historic church painted with murals that reflect searing social commentary
Workers have completed a phase of conservation work on historic murals by the late artist Maxo Vanka at a Croatian Catholic Church near Pittsburgh. The results underscore the original power of the murals, which Vanka painted more than 80 years ago, fusing Catholic iconography with searing social commentary. By Peter Smith/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
Mahmoud v. Taylor stems from some families' efforts to excuse their children from lessons that use storybooks with LGBTQ+ characters. By Charles J. Russo for The Conversation
This bill is such a betrayal of Christian faith, churches must oppose it — and a growing number are. By Jim Wallis/Religion News Service
Researchers found that when Black Christians mentioned their faith at work, they feared they would be discriminated against because of both their race and their religion. By Elaine Howard Ecklund, Christopher P. Scheitle and Denise Daniels for The Conversation
Queer Christians often hear a message that they’ll be accepted in conservative churches so long as they deny part of themselves. By Theresa Tobin and Dawne Moon for The Conversation
Pilgrims walk through dusty terrain near Aznalcazar, Spain, during the annual Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of El Rocio, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
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