Christianity

When Thanksgiving approaches, so too does an influx of classical music performances across the state. Wisconsin Public Radio “Afternoon Classics” host Lori Skelton says Wisconsin is seeing a unique “concert bottleneck” this autumn, due in part to effects of COVID-19 public gathering restrictions. Skelton joined WPR’s “The Morning Show” to discuss the season’s most anticipated…

Milwaukee religious leaders representing Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Roman Catholic and Unitarian congregations gathered Thursday to denounce the rise of Christian nationalism and its threat to democracy. About 75 clergy from the Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope, or MICAH, launched the “We All Belong” campaign with a rally and march. The event kicked off…

A foundation that supports a private Christian school in Milwaukee has bought the now shuttered Cardinal Stritch University campus for $24 million. The Ramirez Family Foundation, run by Gus and Becky Ramirez, supports schools for “underserved students” across the globe. Now, they plan to bring a Christian voucher school to Milwaukee County. “This is a…

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a case to determine a religious charity’s obligation to participate in the state unemployment system. Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., the social services arm of the Diocese of Superior, filed to be exempt from paying into the state unemployment insurance program. At the heart of this case is a question…

Republican candidate for governor Tim Michels said while he favors Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban, he supports contraception, including emergency forms like the pill known as Plan B. The statement comes as Republican candidates hone their messages on abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade protections. During a Wednesday campaign rally at…

A Kenosha pastor is fasting for climate change. The Rev. Jonathan Barker, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, stopped eating on Saturday and said he will continue the protest until Congress passes a climate bill. Democrats pushed a $3.5 trillion, 10-year bill through the House Budget Committee that strengthens social safety net and climate programs. It’s…

On Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble’s desk at the Daughters of St. Paul Pauline Publishing House in Boston is a small skull. She uses it to meditate on death. This nun, who’s the daughter of a theologian, left the church and her Catholic faith during her teenage and early adult years and focused on other interests…

The Rev. James Altman calls himself “a lowly priest” serving a blue-collar city in western Wisconsin. But when his bishop demanded his resignation — after a series of divisive remarks about politics and the pandemic — Altman refused to oblige. In two weeks since then, he has since raised more than $640,000 from his conservative…

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is challenging a request for documents for a statewide inquiry into abuse by clergy members and other faith leaders. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul launched an investigation into abuse by clergy members and other faith leaders in April. His office planned to review documents from dioceses and religious orders in addition…

A priest in La Crosse has been asked to resign after spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine. The Rev. James Altman announced to his congregation at St. James the Less on Sunday that he had been asked to resign by Bishop William Callahan, who heads the Diocese of La Crosse. In a recording of…