RNS Morning Report - When Catholic colleges cut theology majors, what happens to Catholic identity?

Top Stories When Catholic colleges cut theology majors, what happens to Catholic identity? (RNS) — Just 63% of Catholic higher education institutions have theology or religious studies departments, down from 69% in 2016. Catholic universities search for tricky balance on Trump anti-DEI push (RNS) — Many Catholic university leaders are trying to thread the needle between staying under the Trump administration’s radar and framing their work with marginalized students as grounded in their Catholic identities. Pope Leo offers rare insight into his thoughts during the conclave ISTANBUL, Turkey (RNS) — Pope Leo spoke about the themes of peace and unity that guided his papal visits to Turkey and Lebanon, affirming the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue in Ukraine and in the Middle East. How modern American women are finding Hinduism’s powerful goddess tradition through dance (RNS) — Bridging the East and West, American women have found Hinduism’s powerful divine feminine through the art of sacred dance. ‘Lebanon, stand up!’: Pope Leo revives calls for truth, justice after Beirut port blast BEIRUT (RNS) — Survivors of the 2020 Beirut port explosion say they are still waiting for the truth as Pope Leo XIV urged Lebanon to become ‘a home of justice and fraternity.’ Opinion How Deepak Chopra’s AI spirituality is hijacking spiritual hunger (RNS) — For 50 cents per 30-minute session, or $10 a month, readers can now ask Digital Deepak about their purpose, their fears, their path forward. Near the end of his life, playwright Tom Stoppard finally told his own Jewish story (RNS) — He was a creator of absurdist stories, but his own was largely hidden from view. ICYMI Dorothy Day’s grandchildren reflect on a legacy that still challenges the church (RNS) — Kate Hennessy, the Catholic Worker co-founder’s granddaughter, said Day is a model for her fellow believers ‘to grasp faith and trust with all we have, even if it is by our bleeding fingertips.’ Behind the scenes, security protocols at synagogues have expanded dramatically (RNS) — A Jewish institution in North America or Britain that doesn’t have a security plan is today an outlier. In Other News U.S. Catholic bishops award over $7.8 million for mission dioceses Survivors of New Orleans clergy abuse weigh forgiveness in court: ‘It destroyed my faith in God’ 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

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