Monthly Archives: March 2013
Murder of a Cleric: Order, Chaos, and Justice in a Violent World
By Omid Safi — March 24, 2013
Even our best and most luminous religious scholars and clerics can show horrendous political judgments. If there ever was an age, in this age we cannot expect perfection in politics and perfection in sanctity in one and the same soul.
Francis and Benedict embrace as “brothers” in first meeting of two popes
By Alessandro Speciale — March 23, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Saturday (March 23) hailed his predecessor Benedict XVI as a “brother” in a historic first meeting between two living popes in more than 700 years. Francis left the Vatican by helicopter to visit Benedict, who has been living in the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo since his resignation […]
Melissa Rogers speaks!
By Mark Silk — March 22, 2013
The White House let Melissa Rogers speak to the press on the record today, but to say that the new head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (OFANP) was on a short leash would strain the bounds of understatement.
ANALYSIS: How long will the pope’s honeymoon last?
By David Gibson — March 22, 2013
(RNS) Since the moment of his election on March 13, Pope Francis has been warmly embraced by his own flock and even the media. But some constituencies in the church are decidedly cautious or even unhappy with Francis, and their grumbling may portend future troubles for the pope.
Louisiana monks score second win in bid to sell caskets
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — March 22, 2013
(RNS) A group of woodworking Louisiana monks is celebrating after a federal appeals court ruled they can sell simple handmade caskets – and local funeral directors can’t stop them.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby puts focus on ‘reconciliation’
By Kim Lawton — March 22, 2013
COVENTRY, England (RNS) The new archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, says "reconciliation" across the bitterly divided Anglican Communion will be his top priority, but not a "fuzzy wuzzy tolerance" where everyone gets along for the sake of being nice.
Judge rejects bid to withdraw guilty plea in mosque arson
By David Yonke — March 22, 2013
TOLEDO, Ohio (RNS) A federal judge said an Indiana man was fully competent when he pleaded guilty to federal arson charges related to a Sept. 30 fire at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo.
New bells set to ring out from Notre Dame Cathedral
By Elizabeth Bryant — March 22, 2013
PARIS (RNS) Only one of Notre Dame Cathedral's original 10 bells survived the French Revolution, and officials hope a new set of nine replacement bells will be more befitting of "the first church of France."
Quote of the Day: President Obama
By Ron Ribiat — March 22, 2013
“For us, in our time, this means confronting bigotry and hatred in all of its forms, racism, especially anti-Semitism. … And let us never forget the link between the two. For our sons and daughters are not born to hate, they are taught to hate.” – President Obama, speaking at Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Veganized Vatican * Kosher Coke * Desert Passover
By Kevin Eckstrom — March 22, 2013
(RNS) Pope Francis may have simple tastes, but how does he feel about tofu? (Don't worry, we thought the same thing). A nice Jewish boy scores a nice prom date, and there's now one more reason Diet Coke is better than regular Coke, especially at Passover.
Evangelicals and Immigration – A Sea Change in the Making?
By Paul A. Djupe — March 22, 2013
What do evangelicals in the pews think of immigrants and immigration reform and what shapes their attitudes?
Pope Francis calls for intensified dialogue with Muslims
By Alessandro Speciale — March 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Friday called for more intense dialogue between religious leaders, particularly Muslims, as the world becomes more interdependent.
Pope Francis v. The New Evangelization?
By Mark Silk — March 22, 2013
Anyone who follows the hierarchy of the Catholic Church knows that Job One over the past few years has been something called The New Evangelization. Pope Benedict created a Pontifical Council to advance it. But Pope Francis has sent signals that he's not entirely down with the program.
First English-language biography of Pope Francis unveiled April 10
By Wendy Gustofson — March 22, 2013
HUNTINGTON, Indiana, March 22, 2013 – Our Sunday Visitor Publishing confirmed a new release date of April 10 and an updated cover for the much-anticipated first English-language biography of the new pontiff, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires — now Pope Francis. Written by the renowned author of the first English-language biography of Benedict […]
First Meta-Analysis Comparing Public Charter, Religious Private, and Public Schools Gives Major Edge to Religious Schools
By Religion News LLC — March 22, 2013
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA- In a speech for Notre Dame University faculty William Jeynes, Senior Fellow at the Witherspoon Institute in Princeton New Jersey and a Professor at California State University, Long Beach, shared long awaited results of his research comparing the educational outcomes of students from public-charter, religious private (mostly Christian), and public schools. Jeynes, […]
