Religion

The Archdiocese of Baltimore will hold a listening session Thursday evening about a plan to close dozens of churches and reduce the number of Catholic parishes by two-thirds. Two more such sessions are also scheduled, and a final plan is set to be announced in June.

The plan, which officials said was the result of two years of consideration, would cut 40 of its 61 parishes, resulting in the closure of several historic landmarks and once-thriving worship sites.

Rabbi Levi Raskin led them through all the steps during their “Model Matzah Factory” field trip. The major Jewish holiday commemorates the exodus of ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as recounted in the Torah. Observant Jews avoid leavened grains for Passover, which starts Monday evening.

Baltimore Catholics, reeling from the archdiocese's proposal to close 40 churches, spent Monday mourning and preparing to battle to keep their beloved parishes open.

Outside the Edward A. Garmatz U.S. Courthouse in Baltimore, Archbishop William Lori, who attended the hearing, said he was “deeply moved” from the testimony of the six survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Judge Michelle M. Harner on Thursday signed an order setting status conferences for April 8 and May 20 during which survivors of clergy sexual abuse can address the court in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case.

In court documents filed on Wednesday, Blake Roth, an attorney for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, wrote that it endorsed the request and stated that Archbishop William Lori will “personally attend on both occasions to hear directly from the survivors.”

Curtis Bay’s Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church has served the community for over 100 years.

The proposal would have allowed Maryland residents who are likely to die within six months to request a prescription for drugs that they could take to initiate their death.

A 150-year-old church in Columbia founded by formerly enslaved people was awarded a state grant worth almost a quarter-million dollars to preserve African American history.

House Bill 763, which is sponsored by three Democrats, would remove the representative of a Muslim advocacy organization from the Attorney General’s Hate Crimes Commission

Twenty state lawmakers have created the Maryland Legislative Jewish Caucus, joining their voices to speak out against antisemitism and hate crimes, while also promoting Jewish culture and heritage.

Seafarers coming through Baltimore typically have precious few days — sometimes just hours — to stock up on basic necessities and items to help pass the time during long voyages.

The convent is the first religious order established for and by women of African descent and its sisters are pushing for sainthood for foundress Mother Mary Lange.

Six Black candidates are currently in the canonization process

The convent is the first religious order for women of color.

There has never been an African American saint.

Survivors of clergy sex abuse have about five months and two weeks to submit paperwork about the abuse they suffered and apply for payment.

A new document explains the change in Vatican policy, stating that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

The decision by the Archdiocese of Baltimore to file for bankruptcy will allow equitable compensation for abuse survivors and position the church to continue its mission, says Joe Foss, a member of the archdiocese’s Board of Financial Administration and former vice chairman and chief operating officer of the Baltimore Orioles.