Here’s one analysis, from Jack Quirk at Christian Democracy: The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the just war doctrine this way: “All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. “However, ‘as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed.’ “The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military... Read more

From The Baltimore Sun:  When the longtime organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Havre de Grace announced her retirement last fall, the leaders of the small 200-year-old congregation faced a bigger challenge than they knew. Music — particularly the music of the organ — is central to the life of the church. Members say the instrument’s rich sounds complement their liturgy, inspire congregational singing and even seem to invite the Holy Spirit into their presence. But a six-month search... Read more

From Crux:  Hours after the United States launched 59 missiles at a military base of the Syrian government, trying to block its ability to deliver chemical weapons, the Catholic bishop of war-torn Aleppo denounced what he called the “reckless” action, claiming it opens “new disturbing scenarios for all.” “The pope and the Holy See are not heard,” said Syrian Bishop Georges Abou Khazen, Vicar of Aleppo for Latin-rite Catholics, referring to the long-standing position from the Vatican against widening the Syrian... Read more

Details:  A Coptic Christian father of two who was on a “kill list” and tracked for days by Islamic State militants in Sinai refused to renounce his faith in Christ when given a chance to “save” himself before being executed, his wife said. The British news outlet The Sunday Times reports that the widow of 58-year-old Copt Bahgat Zakhar, one of eight Christians killed in the coastal town of Al Arish in just a three-week span in February, detailed the moment... Read more

Politico takes note: After announcing that he’d ordered U.S. missile strikes on a Syrian airfield in response to a chemical weapons attack on civilians, President Donald Trump closed his remarks with a refrain that has been common among presidents since Ronald Reagan: “God bless America.” But he didn’t stop there. Instead, he went on, adding, “and the entire world.” Richard Nixon appears to have been the first president to use the phrase “God bless America” in a speech, though it later... Read more

Happening tonight, according to Vatican Radio:  During the General Audience on Wednesday Pope Francis invited the faithful to participate in the initiative organized by the Pope John XXIII Community in favor of women and girls who have been rescued from trafficking rings and of those who are still enslaved by the sex trade. At its third edition, the “Via Crucis for crucified women” aims to raise awareness about the plight of women who trafficked and enslaved for prostitution. The 7... Read more

Details:  Feeling depressed after the election, Caitlin Reller decided to heed the advice of a friend and go to church. Both of Reller’s parents are ministers — her dad in the United Church of Christ, her mom in the Presbyterian tradition — but the Greenpoint arts educator hadn’t been to church in her adult life, the 33-year-old said. She was intrigued by the “socially-aware and tolerant” Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village, so she brought her 5- and 3-year-old daughters... Read more

Details:  Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, on Holy Thursday, at a prison for ex-Mafiosi in Paliano, Italy, the Holy See Press Office announced today. During the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the pope will wash the feet of several prisoners. The visit is “strictly private,” the Holy See has said, and will not be broadcast. According to the Italian Ministry of Justice, the prison houses 74 detainees. It is organized in three sections:... Read more

A fascinating glimpse at parish life at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Charlotte, N.C., from America and Leah Libresco: Thirty years ago, St. Matthew had only 237 registered families, but the church has mirrored the explosive growth of Charlotte and now serves over 10,000 registered households, putting it in contention for being the largest parish in the United States. Meanwhile, according to a 2009 study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, the median Catholic church in America... Read more

From Pew:  More babies were born to Christian mothers than to members of any other religion in recent years, reflecting Christianity’s continued status as the world’s largest religious group. But this is unlikely to be the case for much longer: Less than 20 years from now, the number of babies born to Muslims is expected to modestly exceed births to Christians, according to new Pew Research Center demographic estimates. Muslims are projected to be the world’s fastest-growing major religious group... Read more