Daniel Burke
Daniel Burke worked for Religion News Service from 2006-2013. He now co-edits CNN's Belief Blog.
All Stories by Daniel Burke
Episcopal bishop keeps her cool in the hot seat
By Daniel Burke — January 18, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (RNS) For a woman sitting on a very warm seat, Katharine Jefferts Schori, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, seems remarkably cool. Even those who disagree with her progressive leadership agree that the 53-year-old remains unflappable under duress. “She’s centered and intense,” said the Rev. Kendall Harmon, a well-regarded […]
What the Pope Would Have Said
By Daniel Burke — January 17, 2008
As our own Francis X. Rocca wrote, Pope Benedict XVI cancelled a visit to a state university in Rome after students lodged protests against his proposed formal address. Now, the Vatican has released the text of what the pope would have said. It seems to be only available in German and Italian at the moment. […]
Black and White and Red All Over
By Daniel Burke — January 17, 2008
First annex Tibet, exile Dalai Lama, then teach pandas to fight. (China’s new plan for world domination. )
Second Episcopal Bishop “Abandons” Church
By Daniel Burke — January 17, 2008
According to an Episcopal committee, Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh has “abandoned” the Episcopal Church. Unlike Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin, Calif., however, Duncan can still perform his religious duties, according to the church. Three senior bishops declined to inhibit Duncan, as they did Schofield earlier this month. No reason was given. Perhaps it’s […]
Gay Deacon Passes Presby Test
By Daniel Burke — January 17, 2008
Presbyterian Lisa Larges, whose application for ministry has twice been denied because of her sexual orientation, cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night when her San Fransisco Presbytery voted to support her. The AP says the close vote, 167-151, is the first test of the new “scruples” policy of Presbyterian Church (USA), which allows ministerial candidates […]
Black churches struggle over Clinton vs. Obama
By Daniel Burke — January 16, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service COLUMBIA, S.C. _ If it’s true that a house divided cannot stand, then black churches across South Carolina should be shaking. Take, for instance, this city’s Bible Way Church of Atlas Road. The black megachurch’s pastor, the Rev. Darrell Jackson Sr., is a paid consultant for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential […]
Cruising for a Bruisin’
By Daniel Burke — January 16, 2008
The Church of Scientology wants you to know that certain rumors printed in a certain unauthorized biography of a certain movie star, are totally unfounded. Biographer Andrew Morton made no attempts to talk to interview the church’s leader, David Miscavige, despite offers from the church, says a press release that landed on my fax machine […]
Another Anglican African Conflict
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
This one is not about gay sex, I promise. A top Anglican leader has publicly chastised the Bishop of Harare for his close ties to Zimbabwean dictator, I mean, President Robert Mugabe. The Rev. Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, says: “The situation with respect to the Anglican Church in Harare is a […]
480 Martyrs A Day?
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
Religion scholar extraordinaire Martin Marty highlights some interesting numerical trends via WorldChristianDatabase.org in his most recent “Sightings” column. Says Marty: According to the International Bulletin of Missionary Research, of the 6,691,484,000 people in the world in 2008, in the broad-brush-painted sense, 2,231,421,000 are Christian; 1,412, 301,000 are Muslim; 887,991,000 are Hindu; Buddhists number 391,122,000; and […]
Separation of Shul and State
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
The Jewish Council of Public Affairs is upset that Nevada’s caucuses on Sat. Jan. 19, at 9 and 11:30 a.m., are scheduled right in the middle or morning religious services for observant Jews. This means, according to JCPA blogger, Melissa Boteach, that Jews will have to decide between exercising their voting rights and participating in […]
Veggie Tales, take 2
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
Larknews.com, is being billed as a Christian Onion, a la the scathingly funny satirical rag. Its front page has stories on: A man who’s decided to stop ending his conversations with “Peace;” Rick Warren’s plans to build a “purpose-driven field” for the New Orleans Saints; and “the blessing of the iPods,” a new church holiday […]
Mass For Life
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is promoting a Jan. 22 Mass for Life/Youth Concert to be held in the district’s Verizon Center. They’re expecting 20,000 people, according to archdiocesan communications director Susan Gibbs. More than 20,000 Catholic teens and young adults from around the United States will pack the Verizon Center for a Youth Concert […]
Obama and Farrakhan
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
WashPo op-ed columnist Richard Cohen says Obama has to do something to distance himself from Louis Farrakhan. Explanation: A news magazine produced by Obama’s church, Trinity UCC in Chicago, last year gave an award to Louis Farrakhan, a man with a history of anti-Semitic statements. Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, called the Nation of […]
Getting Jesuitical
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
There was an interesting exchange between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Tim Russert on “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. Russert was in his usual high-prosecutorial mode, challenging Clinton on her 2002 Iraq-war vote, when the senator blew the whistle on “this Jesuitical argument.” Here’s the interview: MR. RUSSERT: Did he (Obama) have better judgment in October […]
Bishop, Episcopal Church at odds in Calif. turf war
By Daniel Burke — January 15, 2008
c. 2008 Religion News Service (UNDATED) The Episcopal Church has barred Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin, Calif., from ministry for “abandoning” the church by leading his diocese to secede from the national church last December. Officially called an “inhibition,” the ban was imposed by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori late Friday (Jan. 11), […]
