Monthly Archives: May 2012
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Judge Roy Moore; gay Catholic sports; Mormons wrestling (with faith)
Can Roy Moore, the "Ten Commandments Judge," remain objective in a town's fight to publicly post its theology? Philly hosts a sports camp for Catholic men trying to pray away the gay, and Catholic bishops find a modern-day hero in St. Andy Garcia. All that and more in today's Religion News Roundup.
ADL criticizes new bullying guidelines
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Anti-Defamation League is taking issue with new guidelines on bullying and religious speech in public schools that was spear-headed by other Jewish groups. By Lauren Markoe.
Director of Vatican Bank resigns under pressure
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The president of the Vatican Bank was forced to resign Thursday after a months-long dispute over implementing new financial transparency rules to bring the Vatican in line with other institutions. By Alessandro Speciale.
As Muslim community grows, Muslim funerals follow suit
ST. LOUIS (RNS) Until recently, many Muslims buried their loved ones in Muslim sections of Christian cemeteries, relying largely on non-Muslims to guide them through the process of death. As the Muslim population has grown, so has the need for Muslim-specific services like funeral homes and cemeteries. By Tim Townsend.
Activists gather to plot defense of ‘religious liberty’
WASHINGTON (RNS) From Southern Baptist leader Richard Land to Baltimore Archbishop William Lori, the consensus at a high-profile conservative summit on "religious liberty" is that the Obama administration has it out for religious people. By Lauren Markoe.
Taize movement brings throwback appeal to U.S.
CHICAGO (RNS) Every year about 100,000 pilgrims trek to the Taize community's headquarters in France, and this weekend the ecumenical group is bringing its message to the U.S. for the first time. By Simone Orendain. 800. With photos.
ThursdayâÂ?Â?s Religion News Roundup: Philly priestâÂ?Â?s defense, Jesus prequels, birth control divisions, gay cures
Catholics see a rallying cry for ‘religious freedom’ in ‘For Greater Glory’ film
(RNS) U.S. Catholic leaders say a new film about a Catholic civil war in 1920s Mexico has important lessons for U.S. Catholics in 2012, and they're hoping "For Greater Glory" will help rally the faithful around their bid to defend "religious freedom." By Lauren Markoe.
Vatican details rules on Virgin Mary sightings
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has published the rules used to judge alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary as more and more sightings gather widespread publicity before the church has been able to judge them. By Alessandro Speciale.
Muslims to gather to combat anti-Shariah movement
(RNS) Some 15,000 Muslims are expected at this weekend’s 37th annual convention of the Islamic Circle of North America, the second largest Muslim convention in the country, where attempts to ban Islamic law are expected to take center stage. By Omar Sacirbey.
Vatican denies bid to keep Boston Catholic churches open
BOSTON (RNS) Groups of Boston-area Catholics who have waged an eight-year battle to block the sale of parish buildings are running out of options as the Vatican has rejected their appeals to keep six parishes open. By G. Jeffrey MacDonald.
Analysis: Catholic bishops divided in legal battle against Obama birth control mandate
NEW YORK (RNS) A coordinated legal onslaught by Catholic bishops against the Obama administration's birth control mandate has exposed serious fault lines within the U.S. hierarchy as some leaders are privately and even openly question the legal and political ramifications of the strategy. By David Gibson.
Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup: Mitt’s Mormonism; pastor wants to imprison gays; monkeys & meditation
Will Mormonism hurt Mitt Romney? What the pope has been telling American bishops. N.C. pastor wants imprison gays and lesbians. Miley Cyrus takes up meditation.
Does love last longer in arranged marriages?
NEW YORK (RNS) The Unification Church has a new strategy for drumming up interest. Studies appear to show that arranged marriages like those practiced by Unificationists last longer. But will Americans take heed? By Daniel Burke.
Guidelines seek line between free speech, bullying
WASHINGTON (RNS) A coalition of religious and civil rights groups released guidelines to balance two occasionally conflicting interests: students’ rights to free religious expression and their rights to remain safe from discrimination and bullying. By Lauren Markoe.