Monthly Archives: August 2008
Pelosi counters Catholic prelates’ criticisms on abortion
By Tracy Gordon — August 28, 2008
A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has struck back against criticism from prominent Catholic prelates who accused the California congresswoman of misrepresenting church teachings about abortion.
COMMENTARY: Catholic Democrats and bishops at odds again
By Phyllis Zagano — August 28, 2008
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is clearly confused about Catholic teaching on life issues. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,”‘ Pelosi said that abortion is still an unsettled issue in the church. While the bishops try to straighten out Pelosi, who confuses medieval discussions about “ensoulment” with historical teachings on abortion, the Democrats are trying […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 28, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Head of White House faith-based office resigns (RNS) The director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, Jay Hein, has resigned to care for his ill father. Hein, the White House office’s third director, will leave Aug. 29 and return to Indianapolis to support his father, who […]
No contest
By Francis X. Rocca — August 27, 2008
An Italian priest who proposed a beauty pageant for nuns says it was all a big Miss Understanding.
The Book of Gustav
By Mark Silk — August 27, 2008
OK, hurricanes are unpredictable things, but as you can see, the National Hurricane Center is predicting that Gustav will be hitting New Orleans, oh, just about the time the gavel comes down to open the Republican National Convention up there at the other end of the Mississippi. If I believed in that sort of thing, […]
Biden and Abortion
By Mark Silk — August 27, 2008
As Joe Biden prepares for his self-introduction as Barack Obama’s ticket-mate, it’s a good time to think a little about what he brings to the table in re: the abortion issue, and how this may matter with respect to his Catholic co-religionists. The first thing to say is that, by Democratic Party standards, Biden is […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — August 27, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service Appeals court affirms limits on funeral protests (RNS) A federal appeals court has upheld an Ohio law that limits picketing at funerals, rejecting an appeal by Westboro Baptist Church, an anti-gay Kansas congregation that has held protests across the country. Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of Westboro pastor Fred Phelps, argued that […]
Young Muslims getting the word out about faith
By Tracy Gordon — August 27, 2008
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-From their cramped office behind a barber shop, four young men are trying to get the word out: This is who we are, this is what we believe. As Muslims in an overwhelmingly Christian community, they see it as their responsibility to tell what Islam truly teaches-to non-Muslims and other Muslims. They aim […]
Seventh-day Adventist leader to head religious freedom commission
By Tracy Gordon — August 27, 2008
A Seventh-day Adventist legislative expert, James D. Standish, has been named the new executive director of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Catholic bishops take Pelosi to task on abortion
By Tracy Gordon — August 27, 2008
Prominent Catholic prelates are accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., of misrepresenting church doctrine on abortion, saying Catholic law on the issue has been settled for centuries.
Appeals court affirms limits on funeral protests
By Tracy Gordon — August 27, 2008
A federal appeals court has upheld an Ohio law that limits picketing at funerals, rejecting an appeal by Westboro Baptist Church, an anti-gay Kansas congregation that has held protests across the country.
Catholic bishops take Pelosi to task on abortion
By Tracy Gordon — August 27, 2008
Prominent Catholic prelates are accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., of misrepresenting church doctrine on abortion, saying Catholic law on the issue has been settled for centuries.
COMMENTARY: Americans ready to break addiction to driving
By Tom Ehrich — August 27, 2008
Citizens are clearly ready to break their addiction to driving. Even in smaller cities not normally known for urban living, young adults are flocking to downtown housing from which they can walk to work. Even before gasoline prices spiked, property values began rising in neighborhoods served by public transportation and declining in far-flung areas dependent […]
Young Muslims getting the word out about faith
By Charles Honey — August 27, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. _ From their cramped office behind a barber shop, four young men try to get the word out: This is who we are, this is what we believe. As Muslims in this overwhelmingly Christian community, they feel a responsibility to tell what Islam truly teaches _ to […]
Even in tough times, charitable donations stay strong
By Kristen Campbell — August 27, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service MOBILE, Ala. _ When parishioners at All Saints Episcopal Church began distributing groceries to families in need a few years ago, they gave away about 100 boxes of food. Within the last year, the Rev. Jim Flowers said, they began stocking and giving out 175 boxes, and they still run […]
