Monthly Archives: February 2013
Make your picks in the Vatican’s Sweet Sistine brackets!
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
More than 100 Roman Catholic cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel in March. One will emerge as pope. Who will it be? The "Sweet Sistine" is our guess at the top candidates from each continent. First-round voting closes at midnight Eastern on Friday.
Quote of the Day: Sixth-grade football player Caroline Pla
By Ron Ribiat — February 25, 2013
“First they said it was a boy’s sport. Then they said it was a safety issue. Then they said it was inappropriate touching. I think they are just constantly looking for excuses to not change it.” – Sixth-grader Carolina Pla of Bucks County, Pa., who wants to keep playing football at her Catholic school though […]
Venting and vetting: The brutal side of papal politics
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
(RNS) If far less expensive and not quite as mind-numbing as a U.S. presidential campaign, the condensed version of papal campaign politics is not much gentler, or necessarily more effective. Instead it can be nasty, brutish and short.
Christian Leaders Ask Political Leaders to End Brinkmanship as Sequester Looms
By Wendy Gustofson — February 25, 2013
Washington, DC, February 25, 2013 – As the political blame game for the March 1 sequester heats up, nearly a 100 national Christian leaders released a pastoral letter to President Obama and the leaders of Congress calling for an end to the political brinksmanship that is slowing the nation’s economy recovery. The letter asks both […]
Pope allows cardinals to move up start of papal election
By Alessandro Speciale — February 25, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With three days left before his resignation on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday (Feb. 25) allowed cardinals to move up the start of the conclave that will elect his successor.
Fox apologizes for comments on Wiccans at University of Missouri
By Kellie Moore — February 25, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. (RNS) Fox News contributor Tucker Carlson has apologized for comments he made about Wiccans, saying he "should have left them alone."
The Felicity of a National Championship
By Mark Silk — February 25, 2013
Among the things I do is serve as academic adviser to the Trinity College men's squash team, which yesterday in New Haven won the national men's collegiate squash championship for the 14th time in the last 15 years.
Quebec loses status as Canada’s most secular province
By Ron Csillag — February 25, 2013
TORONTO (RNS) Are Quebecers getting more religious or are other Canadians getting more secular? Either way, Quebec is no longer Canada's most secular province, according to a new report.
Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Oscar God * O’Brien resigns * Papal politics
By Daniel Burke — February 25, 2013
Hollywood worships its golden idols. Catholic cardinal resigns over sex allegations. Tim Tebow fumbles.
Our Corner | American Catholics on NPR’s All Things Considered
By Robert P. Jones — February 25, 2013
This weekend, I was interviewed by NPR's Jacki Lyden about American Catholics' perspectives on the next pope. In the segment, I observed that generally, American Catholics want more modernity from the new Roman Catholic pontiff.
For aging religious leaders, is it still ’till death us do part’?
By Adelle M. Banks — February 25, 2013
(RNS) When aging religious leaders reach the top echelons of temporal and spiritual power, their followers have a certain expectation: Till death us do part. But Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation has shifted that calculus, prompting introspection about when, if and how to let go of religion's senior management.
Hypocrite? O’Brien on gay rights and his resignation
By Michael J. O'Loughlin — February 25, 2013
The one-time "bigot of the year" brought down in a gay-sex scandal.
Christian Pop
By Martin E. Marty — February 25, 2013
Commenting on "Christian Pop," if one is not at home in it, is precarious and will doubtless reveal how out of it the commentator is. So I wander in with a sense of mission.
Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigns after sex accusations
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
(RNS) Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland resigned on Monday in the wake of explosive charges that he had made "inappropriate" sexual advances to three priests and a former seminarian, and said he would skip next month's conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
For Scottish bishop, what a difference a day makes
By Michael J. O'Loughlin — February 24, 2013
A Scottish Cardinal challenges celibacy on Friday, revelations of sexual misconduct allegations released Saturday. Coincidence?
