Of course the very big news this week is the impending World Cup of Two Popes, where Germany will face off against Argentina. Our Friends over at Religion News Service have created a rather impressive graphic.
A Pope’s World Cup: Benedict XVI’s Germany will face Francis’s Argentina [awesome graph] http://t.co/io5MrWPksO pic.twitter.com/foHP7VqkeH
— Religion NewsService (@RNS) July 10, 2014
In case you spent your week watching football soccer, this is your Weekly roundup.
After the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case decided a couple of weeks ago, the backlash is spilling into a most unlikely target: Whole Foods. As of my writing this, there have been over 12,000 signatures attached to a letter to Whole Foods, asking them to discontinue business with Eden Foods, a company owned by Catholic founder Michael Porter. Immediately after the Hobby Lobby decision, Porter issued a statement that Eden Foods would not provide insurance that covered any drugs that would “prevent procreation,” including all types of contraception (not just those objected to in the Hobby Lobby decision.)
In Salem, Massachusetts, Gordon College will need to find place to host meetings, because it will no longer be able to use the Salem town hall. Salem Mayor Kimberly Driscoll said that Gordon’s longstanding policies prohibiting gay activities among students (as well as their objection to federal employment protection for the LGBT community) violate the city ordinance prohibiting Salem from contracting with entities that discriminate.
The crisis on the border involving huge numbers of unaccompanied minors is escalating, and religious leaders are becoming a major voice in calling for compassion and support. This is especially moving after seeing the busloads of immigrants who were turned around by protesters in Murrietta, California.
If you feel compelled to help, check out Catholic Charities of Dallas, which has some suggestions for you, as well as a donation link.
And now it is time for the rapid fire papal roundup.
This week, Pope Francis:
- High-fived an televangelist.
- Named new leadership for the Vatican bank.
- Met with abuse victims.
- Sent a delegation to Paraguay.
And that’s about it for now. Have a great weekend. Enjoy beautiful weather if you have it (and I hope you do)! And don’t forget to take our survey on marriage and family life.
