David Gibson
David Gibson is a national reporter for RNS and an award-winning religion journalist, author and filmmaker. He has written several books on Catholic topics. His latest book is on biblical artifacts: "Finding Jesus: Faith. Fact. Forgery," which was also the basis of a popular CNN series.
Bishops’ point man on ‘religious liberty’ gets a promotion
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (RNS) If there is any Catholic bishop who probably didn't need a bigger platform it would have to be William E. Lori, the hierarchy's high-profile point man in the battle for religious freedom. But now that he's been tapped as the next archbishop of Baltimore, Lori will be closer to the action in a fight that is defining the hierarchy and Lori's career. By David Gibson.
White House proposal gives religious groups more say in birth control mandate
(RNS) The Obama administration is offering to expand the number of faith-based groups that can be exempt from the controversial contraception mandate, and proposing that third-party companies administer coverage for self-insured faith-based groups at no cost. By David Gibson.
Evangelicals voting in record numbers in GOP primaries
(RNS) Evangelicals are turning out in record numbers in the GOP presidential primaries — a full 50 percent of GOP voters — and providing crucial support and momentum to the campaign of Rick Santorum. By David Gibson.
Bishops ‘dubious’ on White House contraception compromise
(RNS) U.S. Catholic bishops have voiced doubts about the Obama administration's plans to modify a mandate that employers provide free birth control coverage, and they are vowing a new campaign to rally Americans to defend religious freedom. By David Gibson.
Priest defends denying Communion to lesbian
(RNS) A Catholic priest who was pulled from ministry after a furor over denying communion to a lesbian at her mother?s funeral insists he did the right thing, and criticized the Washington archdiocese for disciplining him. By David Gibson.
Santorum shows the Religious Right isn’t dead yet
(RNS) Does Rick Santorum's surge also mark the resurrection of the Religious Right? After Santorum's big primary wins in Alabama and Mississippi, the born-again bigwigs who endorsed him last year may be having the last laugh. By David Gibson.
WednesdayâÂ?Â?s Religion News Roundup: Bible Belts Romney, Roy Moore is back, Tony Blair on gay marriage
TuesdayâÂ?Â?s Religion News Roundup: Mitt’s grits? Atheist overreach? Obama and Bishops? Amish in drag?
Bishop hopes to restart White House contraception talks
(RNS) The Catholic bishop leading the hierarchy's push against the White House's contraception mandate says the bishops hope to re-start contentious talks with the Obama administration but says church leaders "have gotten mixed signals from the administration" and the situation "is very fluid." By David Gibson.
MondayâÂ?Â?s Religion News Roundup: Obama still a Muslim. Gingrich ditches âÂ?Â?GCB,” Doonesbury on abortion
Bishops face internal challenges in contraception battle
(RNS) as the U.S. hierarchy stakes its claim as the first and final arbiter of the Catholic position in this hotly contested battle, the bishops are also facing a number of internal challenges. Left unchecked, they could undermine the bishops' position and weaken their future standing if they are seen as losing their faceoff with the White House. By David Gibson.
ThursdayâÂ?Â?s Religion News Roundup: Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Roy Bourgeois, Vatican hacked
White House insists contraception talks are on track
(RNS) The Obama administration is pushing back against charges by the nation's top Catholic bishop that talks to create a broader religious exemption from a controversial birth control coverage mandate are "going nowhere," and that White House officials are dismissing the central role of the bishops. By David Gibson.