Following the dispute in Phoenix over whether Catholic hospitals can offer emergency abortions (to save the mother’s life), the ACLU wants the feds to ensure that Catholic hospitals don’t put ideology ahead of medicine; the NYT fears Catholic bishops are giving “license to jeopardize women’s lives,” while the Arizona Republic says a “fundamental Catholic commitment to life” remains intact at St. Joseph’s Hospital, even though the local bishop withdrew his Catholic stamp of approval.

CNN’s Eric Marrapodi profiles evangelical phenom Francis Chan, who just wants to get away for a while but can’t seem to escape the spotlight. Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson seems to endorse legalization (or at least decriminalizing) small amounts of marijuana.

Modern-day shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night, are getting renewed attention this Christmas, from USA Today and United Methodist News Service.

POTUS says his biggest disappointment was failing to pass the DREAM Act, which would open a pathway to citizenship for young illegal immigrants, and won the support of a host of religious groups. He also says he’s “wrestling” with the question of gay marriage, saying his views are “evolving.”

WaPo reports on troubles for religious groups when they meet a TSA agent at an airport: diplomats aren’t immune, and evangelicals and Muslims are particularly wary of both full-body scanners and pat-downs.

NPR profiles the Nashville Dominican nuns, whose average age is 36 and unlike most orders, are actually growing; the AP, meanwhile, follows a bunch of nuns around a post-Katrina building project in New Orleans.

A Catholic teachers’ union in Ontario is raising eyebrows after donating $1,000 to a gay rights group to help support an anti-bullying project: “Certainly the Catholic Church is against bullying,” the union president says.

In the wake of a string of attacks, Iraqi Christians are opting for muted Christmas celebrations this year.

Pakistan‘s religious parties plan an all-out defense of the country’s controversial anti-blasphemy laws. Speaking of blasphemy, a teacher in Spain is apparently facing a lawsuit from a Muslim student’s parents who found the teacher’s reference to ham production in Andalusia offensive. Indonesia‘s highest Muslim authority has warned against over-the-top Christmas displays.