Monthly Archives: April 2010
Papalism
By Mark Silk — April 21, 2010
On its website, the Diocese of Greensburg, Pa. is currently promoting foryourvocations.org, a USCCB website to be launched on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations this Sunday. The diocese will not, however, be praying for vocations to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden. Once a major supplier of teachers and health care workers […]
Faith leaders criticize Ariz. `anti-immigrant’ bill
By Tracy Gordon — April 20, 2010
WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious leaders are outraged over a bill passed by Arizona legislators that criminalizes illegal immigration, calling the bill “anti-immigrant” and a “social sin.” Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony compared aspects of the legislation, approved Monday (April 19) by the Arizona Senate, to “reverting to German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques whereby people are […]
Nun takes vow to run for orphans
By Tracy Gordon — April 20, 2010
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (RNS) Garbed in her nun’s habit and black wool tunic over a white shirt and skirt, Sister Mary Beth Lloyd did not appear to be dressed for exercise. But her running shoes hinted that “something big” was afoot. Lloyd, 62, of the Religious Teachers Filippini order, launched a charity event with her longtime […]
Bishop nixes nuns’ recruitment drive over health care spat
By Tracy Gordon — April 20, 2010
(RNS) A Roman Catholic bishop in Pennsylvania has barred local nuns from promoting their order in his diocese because they supported the health care bill Congress passed last month. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pa., “publicly repudiated” the U.S. bishops by supporting the bill, the Diocese of Greensburg said in a statement. Therefore, […]
Abuse scandal puts victims’ group back in the spotlight
By Tracy Gordon — April 20, 2010
ST. LOUIS (RNS) The daily drumbeat of news about clergy sexual abuse began in Ireland last year. This year, the stories spread — to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway. The drumbeat got louder. E-mails from across the ocean continued to pour in to the Chicago and St. Louis offices of the Survivors Network of those Abused […]
Tuesday’s roundup
By Daniel Burke — April 20, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI told cardinals yesterday, on the fifth anniversary of his papacy, that he doesn’t feel alone atop the “wounded and sinner” church he leads. Church watchers wonder if the pope’s meeting with abuse victims in Malta could be a turning point in his pontificate. The abuse crisis continues to spread through Latin America, […]
Third-generation Jews fight to keep Holocaust alive
By Tracy Gordon — April 20, 2010
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) A new voice is rising up to say “Never Again.” In the language of the Holocaust, they are known as the 3G’ers — the third-generation grandchildren of Holocaust survivors who are devoted to recounting the stories of their elders. As survivors die and their sons and daughters advance in years, a growing […]
COMMENTARY: Come, let us reason together
By Tom Ehrich — April 20, 2010
(RNS) Even though Tea Party activists probably distrust liberals like myself, I’d like to “reach across the aisle,” as they say in our dysfunctional Congress, and find some common ground. Forty-five years ago, you see, I was in the anti-Establishment role. In protesting the Vietnam War, in siding with blacks seeking justice, and in vowing […]
Back on the Grid
By Mark Silk — April 20, 2010
And I’ve discovered that a volcano in Iceland has been blown up as part of a plot by Xenu to keep European thetans from ever getting clear. Because Europe has been so hostile to Scientology that even the thetans are bad. Can this be true? Have I been dreaming? Have got to catch up…
Supreme Court hears religious students case
By Tracy Gordon — April 19, 2010
WASHINGTON (RNS) The nation’s highest court took up a case Monday (April 19) that pits the rights of a Christian student group against the efforts of a California public law school to enforce its nondiscrimination policy. A campus chapter of the Christian Legal Society — which bars gays and non-Christians from leadership positions — argues […]
Parishes join appeal accusing Catholic Church of `ethnic cleansing’
By Tracy Gordon — April 19, 2010
CLEVELAND (RNS) Members of eight ethnic churches that have been ordered closed have joined a national appeal to the Vatican, saying the Catholic Church in America is engaged in “ethnic cleansing.” Catholic activist Peter Borre of Boston, representing 22 ethnic parishes in six dioceses, met in Rome last week with Polish Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, asking […]
College trustee accuses alumni of `ambush journalism’ in gay dispute
By Tracy Gordon — April 19, 2010
HOLLAND, Mich. (RNS) The chairman of the Board of Trustees at Hope College accused a “small group of dissenting alumni” of promoting “ambush journalism” in an ongoing fight over the school’s stance on homosexuality. The alumni group challenged the Christian college’s position after Hope officials rejected a campus appearance by gay rights activist Dustin Lance […]
Pope receives unusual support from abuse victims
By Tracy Gordon — April 19, 2010
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI received words of support from a rare source on Sunday (April 18): victims of clerical sex abuse. “I admire the pope for his courage in meeting us,” said Lawrence Grech, spokesman for a group of eight victims who met and prayed with the pope on the second day of […]
Jews worry as slaughterhouse chief faces jail time
By Tracy Gordon — April 19, 2010
(RNS) As Sholom Rubashkin sits in an Iowa jail awaiting a possible life sentence on fraud charges related to his now-defunct kosher meat business, his ultra-Orthodox Jewish support base has ramped up protests over his case. Through an online petition, media outreach, Facebook pages and Twitter feeds, some rabbis have called it a “sacred obligation” […]
Monday’s roundup
By Daniel Burke — April 19, 2010
Today is the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, and the fifth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy. The pontiff, back from a short trip to Malta, is celebrating by hosting a small lunch with cardinals. A tearful Benedict met with eight abuse victims in Malta, telling them the church will do everything possible […]
