Welcome to Friday. NCR political columnist Michael Sean Winters says that the division in our country is even more clear now, and those divisions run deeper than political differences. A new study says young people connect to faith through personal relationships. Most U.S. bishops have remained quiet in the aftermath of the election.
Can we turn to our 'better angels' after this election?
When NCR political columnist Michael Sean Winters sat down to figure out what our country and our church should do in the aftermath of this election, he was hoping that he would be celebrating with champagne about midnight on Election Day.
That didn't happen, and as of the writing of this newsletter, we are still without a clear winner in the presidential race.
One thing has become increasingly clear though, writes Winters — our country is more divided than ever.
"The divisions in America today run through the states, not between them, but it is clear that those divisions run deeper than mere political differences," he writes. "As always, different Americans think different issues are more important and support different approaches to issues all think are significant."
You can read the rest of Winters' column here.
More background:
- Read previous commentary from Bishop John Stowe, Benedictine Sr. Joan Chittister, Franciscan Fr. Dan Horan and NCR opinion editor Olga Segura.
- Follow all of NCR's Election 2020 coverage here.
Study: Increasingly isolated youth connect to faith through relationship
Young people — including those who are religious — do not see religious leaders as trusted adults, according to a new study. Only 8% of respondents ages 13-25 who are affiliated with a religious group say they have a trusted religious leader they could turn to if needed.
In contrast, 45% said they could turn to a close adult friend, 35% to a grandparent, and 17% to a teacher, according to the study by Springtide Research Institute.
Informed by more than 150 interviews with study participants, the study's report, titled "The State of Religion and Young People," proposes a new model for youth ministers to build personal connections, encouraging them to practice listening, transparency, integrity, care and expertise, the five dimensions of what it calls "relational authority."
You can read more on the study here.
More headlines
- ICYMI: In the hazy 48 hours since polls closed, most bishops have remained quiet. Yet for those who have spoken out, faith in democratic norms, protection of the marginalized, and national healing have emerged as key themes.
- ICYMI: The Vatican's report on how disgraced ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick was able to rise through the American Catholic hierarchy despite reports of inappropriate relationships with young men is expected to be released within the next weeks, National Catholic Reporter has learned.
- ICYMI: Pope Francis is removing the ability of the Vatican's Secretariat of State to administer its own financial portfolio, after a series of financial scandals that included the unusual resignation of a cardinal in September.
Final thoughts
Every Friday, we pull together letters to the editor from readers like yourself. This week, we are publishing responses to Thomas P. Doyle's review of a new book that examines the long history of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. You can join in the conversation by following the guidelines here.
Until Monday,
Stephanie Yeagle
NCR Production/Online Editor
[email protected]
Twitter: @ncrSLY
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