Category Archives: Religious Studies

Pope Francis recently launched a two-year global consultation process leading to the 2023 “Synod on Synodality,” thereby expanding the “Synod of Bishops” institution to encourage much wider consultation with members and organizations of the church at all levels as part … Continue reading →

Faith leaders representing the world’s major religions were hosted by the Vatican this week to call for strong action to protect the environment ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.  In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, professor … Continue reading →

Suicide is a complex and delicate topic in U.S. Muslim communities. In an effort to address the barriers excluding Muslims from seeking mental health support, a group of mental health professionals are working with faith leaders and activists to raise … Continue reading →

Did you know that Easter is the earliest and most central of all Christian holidays—more ancient than Christmas—and that the Good Friday worship service is historically the most controversial of Holy Week services?  In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, … Continue reading →

Tat-siong Benny Liew, the Class of 1956 Professor in New Testament Studies and professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, recently penned a letter addressed to president Biden, vice president Harris, and members of Congress as … Continue reading →

In early Christianity, soldiers could be baptized only if they refused to kill another human – today, Father Emil Kapaun, a U.S. Army chaplain and a war hero, is being considered a candidate for sainthood by the Catholic Church. In … Continue reading →

Did you know that Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and prayer preceding Easter, became common in Christian churches as early as the fourth century? In an article for The Conversation, Joanne Pierce, professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, breaks down the … Continue reading →

Mathew Schmalz, professor of religious studies at Holy Cross, spoke at length with The Christian Science Monitor about the changing face of Christianity, as well as his time volunteering for a Roman Catholic order in rural Oklahoma decades ago, an … Continue reading →

Tat siong Benny Liew, the Class of 1956 Chair in New Testament Studies and professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, was recently named chair of the Council of the Society of Biblical Literature. Professor Liew … Continue reading →