Free Republic

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The declaration signed by Pope Francis and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, the grand imam of al-Azhar, during the pope’s trip to the United Arab Emirates “is a clarion call for robust dialogue that leads to peace,” said the Catholic chairman of the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue and the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. “In our increasingly hostile world in which violence too often predominates between Christians and Muslims — violence that has led to tragic consequences for the most vulnerable humans — we welcome with great joy this historic joint statement on human...

"The Brooklyn Museum will retain a controversial video featuring ants crawling on a crucifix as part of a larger show on American portrait art that opens Nov. "

The nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization is blasting officials at a Connecticut public library for censoring Jesus. Artist Mary Morley was asked by officials at the Meriden Public Library to display an exhibit of artwork titled "Vision, Hopes, and Dreams." The exhibit included paintings of a Nativity scene, Jesus carrying the cross, His crucifixion and resurrection, and Christ with a halo. Portraits of Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Moses, and the prophet Elijah were also included. But library officials said the five images of Jesus were not permitted because they were "inappropriate" and "offensive." Louis Giovino with the...