Pencil Preaching for Friday, December 2, 2022

Fewer than half the people in England and Wales consider themselves Christian, according to the most recent census — the first time a minority of the population has followed the country's official religion.

Saying they are outraged by growing "antisemitic rhetoric" across the country, members of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs urged Christians to decry hate-filled statements and violence aimed at Jewish individuals, homes and institutions.

Pope Francis' much anticipated and twice delayed trip to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo is back on, the Vatican announced on Dec. 1.

Francis, the comic strip: Brother Leo helps his class get ready for Advent.

This is my first time writing for this space since I became publisher of the National Catholic Reporter just a couple of weeks ago. I'm new to the job — but I'm not new to NCR and what it means to so many people.

There's some hopeful news on the politics beat. Columnist Michael Sean Winters does a round-up.

It's never too late to enroll as the students we are in the continuing education of Christian discipleship, especially during the season of Advent. Franciscan Fr. Daniel P. Horan suggests starting with the work of philosopher Dallas Willard.

Archbishop Roberto González Nieves has lent support to Queremos Sol, a coalition that advocates for renewable energy in Puerto Rico, focusing on rooftop solar. González has urged churches and schools to switch to solar.

Pencil Preaching for Thursday, December 1, 2022