Francis called relations with Beijing “very respectful,” though few clergy or Catholics from China went to see him during a visit to Mongolia, seemingly fearing reprisals.
Tag: Religion-State Relations
Pope Visits Mongolia, With an Eye on Russia and China
The pontiff arrived Friday on a trip that the Vatican said was meant to encourage the fewer than 1,500 Catholics there. But it also brings him close to two great powers that have vexed him.
Rare Protests in Syria Summon Echoes of Arab Spring
After 12 years of conflict, anger over growing economic hardships has boiled over. Protesters are demanding the ouster of the authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad and an end to the war.
France to Ban Full-Length Muslim Robes in Public Schools
Religious symbols are already banned in French schools, but the abaya — a loosefitting robe worn by some Muslim women — was in a gray area. Critics called the measure discriminatory.
An Israeli City Where Compromise and Division Swim Side by Side
At a time when Israeli Jews can seem irreconcilably divided, an unusual swimming center in the city of Rehovot illustrates the compromises that many Israelis make daily.
Ukrainians Shun a Church Seen as a Kremlin Tool
The village parishioners’ decision to oust their priest reflects a broader push within Ukraine to reduce the influence of an Orthodox church that answers to Moscow.
Under Hindu Nationalist Leaders, Sectarian Violence Flares in India
A gunman who killed Muslim train passengers and a Hindu march that turned riotous underscore how the partisan stances of India’s top Hindu leaders have given license to chaotic elements in the country.
A Sense of Mission at Risk as Israeli Reservists Resign to Protest New Law
Military reservists are key to Israel’s defense capacity and a shared sense of national mission. But scores of reservists have resigned over a new law curbing judicial power, reflecting a widening rift in Israeli society.
A Religious School That’s Also a Public School
Oklahoma’s decision to allow the Catholic church to operate a public school continues a winning streak for religious conservatives.
How Erdogan Reoriented Turkish Culture to Maintain His Power
Turkey’s president has made a spectacle of the Ottoman past, using monuments and TV shows to rally his voters. His cultural opponents have faced censorship, or jail.