Welcome to NCR Today, a newsletter that will round up our top stories of the day, plus point out important reads from our sister publications, Global Sisters Report and EarthBeat. Your feedback is important to us, so please reply to this email with your thoughts and questions.

Now on to the news.

Maybe the Vatican could hire a few women editors

"Fratelli tutti," the title of the coming papal encyclical is Italian for "all brothers." But Vatican media reported that the title includes women, pointing out that the subtitle is dedicated to "fraternity" and "social friendship."

"So, not only are women eliminated by the title, they are not even considered in the subtitle," argues NCR columnist Phyllis Zagano.

There are two problems, Zagano writes. First, no one told Pope Francis that the title was a bad phrase, and second, no one told Francis that the title itself endangers women.

"In too many cultures, women are still considered chattel, are still subject to rape and murder, are still forced into menstruation huts, are still killed in dowry burnings," Zagano writes. "In too many cultures, especially those in the upper economic echelons of the world and in the clerical circles of the Catholic Church, men still consider women airheads and sex objects."

More background:

* Francis will travel to Assisi to sign the new encyclical Oct. 3, reports Catholic News Service.

* Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese says that the seemingly sexist title of the new encyclical could derail it.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is remembered as 'jurist of historic stature'

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18 at age 87, has been described in countless tributes as a cultural icon and a giant despite her small size.

The second woman appointed to the court, who served there for more than 27 years, is primarily remembered for her pioneering work for gender equality and for writing pointed dissents and asking tough questions. In anti-death penalty and pro-immigrant opinions, she sided with Catholic Church leaders, but she differed with them in her support for legalized abortion, same-sex marriage and the mandate that contraception be covered in all health insurance plans.

Diocese to build up Latino pastoral leaders

Leadership Roundtable, an organization devoted to promoting best church management and ministry practices, selected the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, out of a pool of applicants around the country to partner in its pilot Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative.

The diocese was chosen partly because of its existing commitment to supporting Latino leaders.

The goal of the program is to "invest in Latinos and teach them concepts about church management and best practices, so they can serve the local community better and step into leadership roles," said Andrea Blanco, the initiative's program manager.

More headlines

* President Donald Trump's reelection campaign is courting the pews of Christian churches. But NCR political columnist Michael Sean Winters wonders what that says about the state of Christianity in America.

* The United Nations celebrates its 75th anniversary today and Global Sisters Report asked sister congregations or representatives of sister congregations who engage in advocacy work at the U.N. about the U.N.'s feats and failures.

* ICYMI: NCR movie reviewer Pauline Sr. Rose Pacatte says Disney's "Mulan" has a strong and authentic human, feminist theme guiding it.

Final thoughts

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the Season of Creation (Sept. 1-Oct. 4), EarthBeat is offering Lens of Creation, a series of reflections from award-winning photographer Paul Jeffrey. Today's reflection centers on the dark sky of creation. You can sign up to receive an email each time Lens of Creation is posted. Spanish language is also available.

Until Tuesday,

Stephanie Yeagle

NCR Production/Online Editor

[email protected]

Twitter: @ncrSLY

Featured Advertisers