(SRN NEWS)-( ) Pope Leo has told the Vatican doctrine office to uphold truth, justice and charity when deciding priest sex abuse cases. The first American pope dedicated only a small part of his speech to the widening abuse scandal in an address to members of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith. The […]
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(SRN NEWS)-( ) Pope Leo has told the Vatican doctrine office to uphold truth, justice and charity when deciding priest sex abuse cases. The first American pope dedicated only a small part of his speech to the widening abuse scandal in an address to members of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith. The Vatican office polices Catholic doctrine but also processes abuse cases worldwide. What Leo didn’t do was make any mention of victims in his speech, suggesting he believes the dicastery should function almost exclusively as a church tribunal, not a pastoral office. The church is still processing hundreds-of-thousands of abuse cases.
( ) The Texas State Board of Education has delayed voting on a proposed list of required books for K-through-12 students. The decision came after discussions about the religious focus of some of the materials. Republican board members say they see the religious materials as historically significant. Parents, they note, can opt children out of any readings that they are uncomfortable with. The board voted 13-to-1 to postpone the decision until April to allow more time for feedback. The list includes nearly 300 books, featuring classics and religious texts with a Christian focus, including the parable of the Prodigal Son.
( ) The Trump administration has concluded that San Jose State University discriminated against women by letting a man play on the women’s volleyball team. The Education Department says the school must accept a settlement or risk losing federal funds. The university, located in California, would have to accept the administration’s definition of male and female, restore titles and records that were misappropriated by male athletes and issue an apology to female athletes. The Trump administration has taken action against a series of states, schools and colleges that allow males to play on female sports teams.
( ) The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is raising concerns about Egypt. A new report from the Commission points out that “an Egyptian court has sentenced a Christian man to five years’ imprisonment for ‘contempt of religion,’ based on Egypt’s blasphemy law. Furthermore 14 members of the Ahmadi religion have been imprisoned for a year.” The Commission wants the State Department to put Egypt on its special watch list. Until very recently, religious freedom had been respected in the country but these latest incidents are raising concerns amongst those who monitor freedom of conscience.