Welcome! We seek wisdom today from a variety of sources — including a religious community returning indigenous land, Independence Day, seekers for holiness among queer saints, and even from the Supreme Court that upheld Birthright Citizenship. Views and opinions are identified.
Birthright Citizenship
The U.S. Supreme Court June 30 preserves birthright citizenship, blocking a Trump order. Earlier, the U.S. bishops opposed Trump’s executive order, saying the “immoral” directive undermined long-standing constitutional protections and risked harming families and communities.
Observing Independence Day 2026
Catholic bishops, clergy, and hundreds of faithful processed across the U.S.–Mexico border to celebrate the contribution of immigrants in America, June 26, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the nation. From EWTN News.
In an historic first, Catholic sisters have returned Indigenous land, reports US Catholic. “This act represents the first instance of Catholics in the United States returning land to the original Indigenous tribes in the name of reparations.”
Who belongs in America? Five faith leaders express their views on immigration, identity and America’s 250th. From Religion News Service.
2026 isn’t the first time Christians have tried to claim the United States as their own. Religion News Service offers the opinion of an historian: From the Civil War to the Cold War, existential fears have fueled claims that America is a Christian nation.
“REPENT.” That was Catholic Worker Movement co-founder Dorothy Day’s one-word message to America in celebration, or perhaps just recognition, of our nation’s bicentennial birthday in 1976. More birthday greetings from National Catholic Reporter.
Barbara Molinari Quinby urges welcome. “This 4th of July weekend, as we celebrate the birth of our national family–a family of immigrants and Native Americans–let us be open to welcome the immigrant and refugee.”
Wisconsin Shrine to Celebrate America’s 250th by Honoring Catholic Saints, Blesseds, Venerables. From National Catholic Register. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin, will host an exhibit July 1–9 honoring holy men and women from the United States.
OPINION 500-year-old slave revolt of 1526 redefines freedom as U.S. turns 250. An opinion piece from Black Catholic Messenger. Before 1776 or 1619, enslaved Africans seized freedom in 1526 on land that would become the United States.
Following is the ninth in a Baptist News Global series of articles on Christianity and democracy leading to the July 4 celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The writer offers his opinion, that when faith becomes intertwined with political power and national culture, both are distorted.
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV Names Nun, Cardinal to Succeed Cardinal Czerny at Human Development Office. The National Catholic Register reports Sister Alessandra Smerilli becomes the second woman in history to lead a Vatican dicastery as prefect.
The pope pleads With SSPX to Halt Episcopal Consecrations. From the National Catholic Register. On the eve of the traditionalist society’s planned episcopal consecrations without papal approval, the pontiff issued a written appeal to the SSPX superior general.
New book on ‘Queer Saints’
US Catholic magazine seeks wisdom in the pages of a new book on queer saints, which affirms our call to radical love. “In ‘Queer Saints,’ Antonio Pagliarulo unsettles long-standing expectations about holiness—and reminds us that it’s for all of us.”
Virtual cat prays to God
In virtual reality, a cat prays, “Father God, just thank you for this opportunity to go and reach out to people who need you.” The article is from Religion News Service. “As crazy as it sounds, God used virtual reality to call someone into that space to lay out the gospel in its fullness,” said Stewart Freeman, a former heavy VRChat user who rediscovered his faith through virtual reality.
Texas requires Bible stories in public schools
Bible stories are approved as required reading in Texas public schools. From the Associated Press. The State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans, approved the list on a 9-5 vote, following weeks of contentious debate that again put Texas at the center of wrangling over the role of religion in public schools.
Gender transitions
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit from parents who are challenging a Washington state law that prevents youth shelters from immediately notifying parents when minors who run away from home are seeking gender transitions. From National Catholic Register.
Catholic Church, U.S. government helping Venezuela
‘People in some areas feel invisible to the government, to the aid efforts,’ Jesuit Father Edgar Magallanes, national director of Jesuit Relief Services Venezuela, said. ‘But we’re working on it.’
San Francisco Archdiocese to pay $350 million
From National Catholic Register. The proposed settlement will ‘resolve all lawsuits’ regarding child sex abuse involving archdiocesan officials, the archdiocese said in a press release.
One parish, three bishops
Dr. Alvin Schexnider writes of an African-American parish in Lake Charles, Louisiana, intertwined with the history of Black Catholic leadership. From Black Catholic Messenger.
OPINION
Christian Nationalism “is neither Christian nor patriotic; rather, it is the antithesis of both. Put more simply, it was birthed in hell by the father of deception and lies.” From Baptist News Global.
Pride Month doesn’t threaten families or any definition of family. It expands our vision of what family can look like and always has looked like in a world where love takes more forms than any governor’s proclamation can contain. From Baptist News Global.
The women in Mark’s Gospel do not wait to be authorized. They act, speak, and insist—and in doing so, they are credible witnesses and offer bold examples for us to follow. From Christian Century.
After TPS, what’s next
As Supreme Court clears way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders prepare for what’s next. From the Christian Century.
Building bridges? Or separation of church and state
A new report by a Trump administration commission suggests replacing the idea of separating church and state with the idea of building bridges between them. From the National Catholic Reporter. The assertion — challenging a longstanding concept in American law — comes amid a raft of recommendations in a draft report of the Religious Liberty Commission, released June 26.
Why Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, became patron saint of the US in the 1840s
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