Wooden churches of Chiloé

Beacons of architecture and faith amid conservation challenges

Hi Religion Unplugged readers,

Chiloé, an archipelago off the coast of Chile, is known for its wooden churches — built by Jesuit missionaries as early as the 17th century. In 2000, many of these churches were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but even still they face challenges connected to maintenance and declining church attendance.

In today’s top story, contributor Graciela Ibáñez explores many of these churches and speaks to those responsible for maintaining their structures — as well as the locals who consider these churches crucial parts of their communities.

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Chiloé’s Wooden Churches Remain Beacons Amid Growing Conservation Challenges

The wooden churches of Chiloé stand as a landmark of this archipelago in this southern Latin American nation. Built in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century, they survive amid restoration challenges and fewer faithful attending Mass. In 2000, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization declared 16 of these churches as World Heritage Sites. by Graciela Ibáñez

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Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected First US-Born Pope, Takes Name Leo XIV

With clouds of white smoke emanating from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel and to the loud cheers of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the 133-member conclave elected a new pope on Thursday — choosing Cardinal Robert Prevost. Following the closed-door process known as the conclave, the new pontiff chose the name Leo XIV as the 267th head of the Catholic Church. by Clemente Lisi

Greta Gerwig’s Aslan And The Coming Faith-Based ‘Gender Culture War’

Whether or not this gender swap happens in the film, this should not be a surprise. Hollywood is moving toward a full-scale change in how it treats faith. Instead of elevating secularism over faith, Hollywood is adopting it as good when driven by women, but bad when spearheaded by men. This change is putting it on a collision course with a growing alternative media, setting the stage for a new gender-coded culture war. by Joseph Holmes

Future Leo XIV Offered Warnings On Screens Culture

(ANALYSIS) The global media storm surrounding the election of Pope Leo XIV will soon fade to some degree (until he wears a Chicago White Sox jersey or something like that). This post centers on the fact that the priest and bishop who is now pope has, in the past, offered some strong, insightful appeals for church leaders to face the realities of the digital age. by Terry Mattingly

‘Start Fostering Love Across Political Divides’: Q&A With Dr. Dorothy Boorse

As a Christian ecologist and professor at Gordon College, Dr. Dorothy Boorse has endeavored to connect science to faith communities for over 30 years. Throughout her writing, she links the core Christian values of justice, compassion, and caring for the least of these to pressing climate issues. She recently spoke with Religion Unplugged about her career shift from pre-med to wetland ecologist, loving your neighbor, and polarization on environmental issues during the Trump administration. by Isabella Meibauer

Thinking About Realities Facing Pope Leo XIV

(ANALYSIS) There’s a good chance that you may have heard that the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics have a new shepherd. You may have heard this news because, to skilled religion writers (and wise editors who hire them) a papal election is the Godbeat Olympics. At the same time, the rest of the world views these transitions as political elections in which candidates wear spectacular vestments and talk too much about God. by Terry Mattingly

How Canterbury Cathedral Seeks To Reclaim Its Medieval Pilgrimage Legacy

Canterbury Cathedral has been a significant pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years. Despite the West’s growing secularization, there seems to be no shortage of travelers from around the world looking to make the journey to the English house of worship. These days, people come for historical, cultural as well as spiritual reasons. by Angela Youngman

From Martyrdom To Marketing: Is There A Canonization Crisis?

(ANALYSIS) Sainthood was earned, if not in blood, then in extreme humility and absolute submission to Christ. It was not fast. It was not fashionable. And it certainly was not a reward for being beloved by the world. That idea now lies on the operating table, gasping for breath. And the latest scalpel to slice deeper is the Vatican’s push to canonize Antoni Gaudí. Let’s not insult our own intelligence here. by John Mac Ghlionn

Leo XIV Calls His Papal Election Both ‘A Blessing And A Cross’

A day after being chosen the first U.S.-born pontiff, Pope Leo XIV said on Friday that his election was both a blessing and a cross to bear. The Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost surprised the world on Thursday when the conclave elected him pope, overcoming the traditional prohibition against a pontiff from the United States. by Clemente Lisi

Full Text Of Pope Leo XIV’s First Address: ‘Peace Be With You!’

Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you. by Pope Leo XIV

Leo XIV’s Election Sparks Pride Among Americans Of All Faiths

It was the white plume of smoke that ushered in a new pope — and the reaction that the head of the Catholic Church is an American sparked reaction across the nation. Everyone had something to say about Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV. The pope, who hails from Chicago’s South Side, had made history as the first U.S.-born pontiff in the church’s 2,000-year history. by Hamil R. Harris

Vote Of Faith: Politics And The Rise of Priest-Politicians In Brazil

(REVIEW) “Vote of Faith” combines ethnographic storytelling with academic analysis. Readers might find the engaging stories and conversations captivating, like a great novel. However, some sections filled with jargon and less common vocabulary may slow down the reading pace. Overall, the book is well-researched and intriguing, providing valuable insights into the relationship between religion and politics. by Thien Bui

The Hidden Meaning And Tradition Behind Papal Names

What’s in a name? That’s a question Catholics often ask after a new pope is elected. One of his first official acts of a new pope is to choose a name. Deeply symbolic, the name often reflects the pope's values or spiritual inspirations. by Clemente Lisi

Pope Leo XIV Makes History As First Pontiff With Peruvian Citizenship

The route pushes cyclists to their limits. They face unrelenting desert heat, rugged terrain, crowded highways, brutal headwinds and sheer exhaustion that comes from cycling for days in such extreme conditions. It is a route that was first conquered by the H&K Cycle Club riders in 2022 — and despite the knowledge of the extreme challenge involved they now go back every year. by Reynaldo Aragon

Read this story in Spanish here.

Amid India-Pakistan Tensions, What International Law Says About War

(EXPLAINER) As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, questions about what constitutes a lawful war are once again in focus. International law makes a clear distinction between jus ad bellum (the right to go to war) and jus in bello (the rules governing conduct in war). These are framed by the United Nations Charter, customary international law and treaties such as the Geneva Conventions, all of which define what states and their leaders can — and cannot — do during conflict. by Vishal Arora

On Religion: Pollsters Need To Ask New Questions About Catholic Life And Faith

(ANALYSIS) As Catholics prepare for a new pope, Pew has released new insights into lines of tension and division among American Catholics. Five years after the "transubstantiation" study, a new survey includes more evidence that "U.S. Catholics" disagree with many core Catholic doctrines and, thus, want a "more inclusive" church. by Terry Mattingly

Watch: Faith Vigilantism In The Indian State Of Odisha

Sadhu Sundar Singh, a Christian pastor, serves Adivasi/tribal communities in Odisha’s Balasore district. He helps people in these communities move away from alcoholism, hooliganism and the consumption of unsafe water. However, because he also shares his Christian faith with them, he has received death threats. by Jyoti Jangra

An Imam, Rabbi And Pastor Break Bread In Berlin To Build Interfaith Bridges

Three men from different faiths sit side by side on a stage. It’s nearly sundown just outside Berlin, with more than 100 people gathered for an interfaith iftar — the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan. Each religious leader speaks about the power of fasting in their tradition, their words framed by the clatter of Turkish food being prepared in the kitchen. by Elissa Mardiney

Belief In Spirits And The Afterlife Common Around the World

Belief in the supernatural — including life after death and the idea that animals and nature can possess spirits — is common across diverse cultures and religions, with younger and older generations sharing similar views, a new survey reveals. The findings paint a nuanced picture of global spirituality, suggesting that beliefs in the unseen are deeply rooted in human cultures and persist even as traditional faith fades. by Clemente Lisi

Why Birthrates (And Not Beliefs) Are Shaping Global Faith

(ANALYSIS) This may be unsettling to those who’ve invested in the idea of a steadily secularizing globe, but the numbers don’t lie. In the long run, the groups that reproduce tend to shape the narrative. If religion continues to dominate global culture through the 21st century, it won’t be because it won a war of ideas. It’ll be because believers have more babies. by John Mac Ghlionn

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🎉 Year In Review: Religion Unplugged’s Top 10 Most Popular Articles Of 2024 🔌

In a special year-end edition, Weekend Plug-in counts down the Top 10 most popular ReligionUnplugged.com stories from the past 12 months. by Bobby Ross Jr.

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