PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Judaism's Reconstructionist movement announced Wednesday it will allow rabbinical students with non-Jewish partners to become rabbis, a decision that ends years of debate and that officials anticipate will help retain students who go on to become "wonderful rabbis."
The change at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in suburban Philadelphia comes after a faculty vote last week. It revokes a longstanding ban on admitting or graduating students with a non-Jewish partner. Students were allowed to graduate if their partner chose to convert.
Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News) — In his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis recognized the challenges involved with welcoming migrants, but stressed that despite the difficulties they should always be accepted as brothers and sisters.
"At the heart of the Gospel of mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and acceptance of God himself," the Pope said in his message for the 2016 World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
