Catholic Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Pope Leo Wades Into Abortion Debate

October 2nd, 2025

Pope Leo ignited a firestorm of controversy with a recent statement questioning whether those who support the poor treatment of immigrants and the death penalty can truly be considered "pro-life".

Political & Religious Controversy 41 Comments

Catholic School Teacher Placed on Leave Over Surrogate Pregnancy

October 1st, 2025

A New Jersey teacher is on leave from her Catholic school for serving as a gestational surrogate. To her, helping a couple have children is an act of empathy. To the Catholic school, it’s a violation of doctrine.

Christian 20 Comments

The Vatican's New Social Media Strategy? Hot Priests

August 4th, 2025

The Vatican is rolling out a new digital strategy, relying on "hot priests" on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to engage young people and bring the youth back to the Catholic Church. Will it work?

Progressive Spirituality 43 Comments

Pope Leo Calls for End to "Barbarity" in Israel/Palestine Conflict

July 23rd, 2025

Pope Leo is demanding an end to the conflict in Gaza after Israeli artillery struck Gaza's only Catholic Church, killing three and injuring nine civilians. After the attack, Leo talked with Netanyahu to push for peace.

Political & Religious Controversy 42 Comments

What Does the New Pope Believe?

May 19th, 2025

Pope Leo XIV steps out onto the world stage, but who is he, and what does he believe? From his views on the environment, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community, Leo is often - but not always - aligned with Pope Francis.

Christian 54 Comments

Catholic Church Threatens to Excommunicate Priests for Reporting Abuse

May 12th, 2025

Law and faith collide as the Catholic Church threatens excommunication for clergy who follow Washington state's new mandatory reporter law. Now the Trump DOJ is stepping in, alleging religious freedom is under attack.

Political & Religious Controversy 136 Comments

Should the President Pose as a Religious Leader?

May 5th, 2025

As cardinals at the Vatican ready for a conclave to select the next pope, Catholics around the world were shocked to see President Trump post an AI-generated image of himself as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Political & Religious Controversy 122 Comments

Supreme Court May Allow Taxpayer-Funded Religious Schools

May 2nd, 2025

A Catholic school in Oklahoma wants to be the first publicly funded charter school in the country - and the Supreme Court may just say yes. Could the case destroy separation of church and state as we know it?

Political & Religious Controversy 52 Comments

Who Are the Frontrunners to Be the Next Pope?

April 28th, 2025

With Pope Francis’ passing, the Catholic Church will soon be entering conclave to elect his successor. Will the next pope carry his progressive legacy—or chart a new course? These are some of the top contenders.

Christian 17 Comments

Remembering Pope Francis (1936-2025)

April 21st, 2025

Pope Francis has passed away at 88 this Easter Monday, concluding a historic and transformative papacy that spanned 12 years and redefined the tone of the Catholic Church, pushing it in a more progressive direction.

Life and Death 55 Comments

Previous 1 of 9 Next

The Universal Life Church Ministries proudly welcomes all who feel called to get ordained, regardless of creed. We enable all faiths; Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Pagan, Wiccan, Atheist – and more – to join our growing non-denominational congregation. Underlying everything we do is a simple core belief: that we are all children of the same universe.

Ready to share your thoughts? Click here to log in to your account. Not yet ordained? You can sign up in just minutes by filling out a free ordination application.