Changes

Islam has become a significant a threat to Catholicism as well. Sharia Law's rejection of religious freedom and '''the ongoing genocide of Chaldean Rite Catholics in Iraq''' are among these threats. There is a very strong trend of Muslim immigration into Europe, which is subverting the judicial system towards a Sharia theocracy. This trend is fueled through assassinations and threats towards anti-Islamic politicians (such as [[Theo Van Gogh]] and [[Geert Wilders]]). While Christianity remains the world's largest religion, all denominations of Islam combined now outnumber Catholicism (the most popular Christian denomination).

Islam has become a significant a threat to Catholicism as well. Sharia Law's rejection of religious freedom and '''the ongoing genocide of Chaldean Rite Catholics in Iraq''' are among these threats. There is a very strong trend of Muslim immigration into Europe, which is subverting the judicial system towards a Sharia theocracy. This trend is fueled through assassinations and threats towards anti-Islamic politicians (such as [[Theo Van Gogh]] and [[Geert Wilders]]). While Christianity remains the world's largest religion, all denominations of Islam combined now outnumber Catholicism (the most popular Christian denomination).

The Church has taken stances on controversial issues, including opposing the [[Iraq War]],<ref>Richert, Scott P. "What Is the Papacy's Response to the War in Iraq?" About.com Catholicism. http://catholicism.about.com/od/thechurchintheworld/f/popes_on_iraq.htm</ref> supporting [[universal health care]] (including many aspects of [[Obamacare]]),<ref>Clarke, Kevin. "Papal prescription for universal health care." January 16, 2011. U.S. Catholic. http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/social-justice/2011/01/papal-prescription</ref> and supporting assistance to [[illegal immigrant]]s.<ref>Kerwin, Donald. "Immigration Reform and the Catholic Church." May, 2006. Migration Information Source. http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?id=395</ref> Some high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church have falsely attacked conservative evangelical Christians and Catholics in the United States for holding conservative views and supposedly supporting a "theocratic state."<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (July 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/14/papal-adviser-bashes-american-christians-in-bigoted-screed/ Papal Advisers Bash American Christians in Bigoted Screed]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Bowden, John (July 15, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/342168-top-allies-of-pope-francis-criticize-religious-trump-supporters Top allies of Pope Francis criticize religious Trump supporters]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 15, 2017.</ref> The Catholic Church's document titled "Fiducia Supplicans," released in December 2023, allows for blessings of same-sex couples, provided these blessings are not formal liturgical rites and do not imply that the Church recognizes their unions as marriages<ref>https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/gay-blessings-will-remain-under-pope-leo-vatican-doctrine-chief-says<ref>. Since this is optional some [[diocese]]s do not allow it. This might be one of the reasons membership has increased  in the [[Orthodox Church in America]] & [[ Polish National Catholic Church | Union of Scranton churches]].  <br> '''The Church continues to oppose suicide, birth control and abortion, as discussed above.'''

The Church has taken stances on controversial issues, including opposing the [[Iraq War]],<ref>Richert, Scott P. "What Is the Papacy's Response to the War in Iraq?" About.com Catholicism. http://catholicism.about.com/od/thechurchintheworld/f/popes_on_iraq.htm</ref> supporting [[universal health care]] (including many aspects of [[Obamacare]]),<ref>Clarke, Kevin. "Papal prescription for universal health care." January 16, 2011. U.S. Catholic. http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/social-justice/2011/01/papal-prescription</ref> and supporting assistance to [[illegal immigrant]]s.<ref>Kerwin, Donald. "Immigration Reform and the Catholic Church." May, 2006. Migration Information Source. http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?id=395</ref> Some high-ranking officials of the Catholic Church have falsely attacked conservative evangelical Christians and Catholics in the United States for holding conservative views and supposedly supporting a "theocratic state."<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (July 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/07/14/papal-adviser-bashes-american-christians-in-bigoted-screed/ Papal Advisers Bash American Christians in Bigoted Screed]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Bowden, John (July 15, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/342168-top-allies-of-pope-francis-criticize-religious-trump-supporters Top allies of Pope Francis criticize religious Trump supporters]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 15, 2017.</ref> <br> '''The Church continues to oppose suicide, birth control and abortion, as discussed above.'''

== See also ==

== See also ==