Monthly Archives: October 2007
Tony Blair: Catholic by Christmas?
By Francis X. Rocca — October 31, 2007
Word around the Vatican is that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will finally become a Roman Catholic this December, in a private ceremony at the London residence of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. Longstanding rumors of a Blair conversion gained credibility this past June when the British leader, whose wife Cherie is a Catholic, visited Pope […]
Flag Folding Flap
By Adelle M. Banks — October 31, 2007
The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a clarification of its policy concerning flag-folding ceremonies that occur at military funerals. Words recited as the flag is folded have contained religious references, one of which prompted a recent complaint to the White House, Fox News reported. Now, the controversy over that complaint has led to the […]
RNS Weekly Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — October 31, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Former RNS editor Gerald Renner Dies at 75 (RNS) Gerald Renner, a former editor of Religion News Service and a longtime religion writer for The Hartford Courant, died Wednesday (Oct. 24) of cancer. He was 75. Known for both investigative journalism and off-beat stories, Renner continued his writing career after […]
Frank Rich on Dobson, Perkins & Giuliani
By Kevin Eckstrom — October 31, 2007
Frank Rich’s searing indictment of Tony Perkins, James Dobson and other “mullahs” of the religious right (his words, not mine) is well worth a read, even if you disagree with either his premise or his conclusion. Rich asks a logical question about the “Values Vote” crowd heading into the 2008 elections: If they really believed […]
For the Bible Tells Me So … Or Does It?
By Kevin Eckstrom — October 31, 2007
Beckie Supiano’s story about a new pro-gay documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So,” is available, courtesy of our friends over at the Dallas Morning News. The documentary traces each family’s experience of wrestling with how their child’s sexuality fits in with their moral and religious beliefs. Some come to accept it; others learn to […]
Is there such a thing as too many churches?
By Kevin Eckstrom — October 31, 2007
Amy Green finds that yes, there may be, at least in Orlando. Her recent story can be found here, via the Biblical Recorder.
Old Latin Mass news
By Francis X. Rocca — October 31, 2007
An Italian magazine reports that the Vatican will soon issue a set of regulations regarding celebration of the “extraordinary rite,” commonly known as the old Latin Mass. In a document released this last July, Pope Benedict permitted regular celebration of the so-called Tridentine rite wherever there is a “stable group of faithful who adhere to […]
Vatican pushes hot buttons at the U.N.
By Francis X. Rocca — October 31, 2007
The Holy See’s representative to the United Nations has touched on a couple of controversial and politically loaded topics in recent days: the environment and the war on terrorism. On Monday, Archbishop Celestino Migliore called protecting the environment a “moral imperative” that “must not be sacrificed on the altar of economic development.” He noted that […]
RNS Daily Digest
By RNS Blog Editor — October 31, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service Conservative wins second election as S.C. bishop (RNS) The Episcopal Church on Monday (Oct. 29) approved the election of a conservative priest as bishop of South Carolina, one year after officials nullified his election amid fears he would lead the diocese to secede from the national church. The Rev. Mark […]
Anglicans, Catholics still not united on Mary
By RNS Blog Editor — October 31, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Two years after Anglicans and Roman Catholics said they had reached a common understanding on the Virgin Mary, there’s still something about Mary that doesn’t quite sit right with some Anglicans. Specifically, some Anglicans remain skittish about Catholic dogmas on the Immaculate Conception (that Jesus’ mother was born free […]
Author explores ties between religion and magic
By Kristen Campbell — October 31, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Maybe it’s their pointy incisors. Or their preference for darkness. Could be their reputation for literally sucking the life out of their victims. Whatever it is, vampires don’t have the best reputation. So you might be surprised to learn that vampires have ethics that prevent them from taking energy […]
COMMENTARY: Rest for the weary
By Tom Ehrich — October 31, 2007
c. 2007 Religion News Service KEARNEY, Neb. _ When I congratulated a chorister on her choir’s excellent performance at the opening service of an Episcopal diocesan convention, she was pleased. They work hard, she said. “I also do the altar guild,” she added with a mild grimace. “We just don’t have enough people.” This congregation […]
Evangelical Association Board: Huckabee, Yes; Hillary, No
By Adelle M. Banks — October 30, 2007
A survey of the 100-member board of the National Association of Evangelicals finds that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s name came up most when they were asked their first choice among the current presidential candidates. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s name surfaced as the one least desired. See NAE report on survey here.
There musn’t be a morning-after
By Francis X. Rocca — October 30, 2007
Pope Benedict told a delegation of Catholic pharmacists that they should exercise their right of “conscientious objection” by refusing to provide “products that have clearly immoral purposes such as, for example, abortion or euthanasia.” Benedict specifically warned against the use of “certain molecules that have the goal of preventing the implantation of the embryo.” The […]
JP2, coming to a stage near you
By Kevin Eckstrom — October 30, 2007
Bene Cipolla’s story on a New York theater festival featuring plays written by Pope John Paul II can be found here, courtesy of our friends over at the Dallas Morning News.
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