Lauren Markoe
Lauren Markoe has been a national reporter for RNS since 2011. Previously she covered government and politics as a daily reporter at the Charlotte Observer and The State (Columbia, S.C.)
All Stories by Lauren Markoe
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Pope’s Lung * Mormon Beards * Jabba’s Hut
By Lauren Markoe — April 2, 2013
How many lungs does the pope have? Why don't Mormon leaders wear beards? What happened to Jabba's hut?
FDR Labor Secretary Frances Perkins wins ‘Lent Madness’ tournament
By Lauren Markoe — March 28, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Sorry, St. Luke. A woman who wasn't even a priest -- Labor Secretary Frances Perkins -- won the final round of the "Lent Madness'' online tournament to win the coveted ''Golden Halo'' prize.
Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup: Supreme Marriage * Francis’ Digs * Ordained Atheist
By Lauren Markoe — March 27, 2013
Next up at the Supreme Court: the Defense of Marriage Act. Pope Francis opts for humble quarters. And an ordained minister celebrates her first anniversary as an atheist.
ANALYSIS: On gay marriage, Supreme Court ponders not ‘if’ but ‘how’
By Lauren Markoe — March 26, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) For supporters of gay marriage, Tuesday's arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court show just how far this debate has come: It’s no longer “if” gay marriage will be accepted and legal, but “how" and "when.”
Jews trek to the Mojave Desert for a visceral Passover
By Lauren Markoe — March 21, 2013
(RNS) More than 100 Jews will spend four nights and five days in the California desert this year to celebrate Passover, an experience, they hope, that will allow them to more viscerally understand the liberation of the Israelites who left bondage in Egypt and wandered in the desert 3,500 years ago.
Les Mis 3,500 years ago – a Passover medley
By Lauren Markoe — March 19, 2013
The Maccabeats, a Yeshiva University a capella group, has co-opted the hit musical and movie Les Miserables to tell the story of Passover, which begins Monday night.
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Papal Inaugural * Atheists’ Lent * Onward Mormon Women
By Lauren Markoe — March 19, 2013
Pope Francis is officially installed today. Who says an atheist can't celebrate Lent? And Mormon women, for the first time in 183 years, will offer prayers at the General Conference.
Pope Francis and the long shadow of Argentina’s “Dirty War”
By Lauren Markoe — March 14, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Just as life in communist Poland propelled Pope John Paul II's crusade against the Soviets and coming of age in Nazi Germany shaped Pope Benedict XVI, Argentina's Dirty War posed deep, existential questions for the future Pope Francis.
Jews worldwide see an ally in Pope Francis
By Lauren Markoe — March 13, 2013
(RNS) Jews worldwide welcomed newly elected Pope Francis as a friend on Wednesday (March 13), and pointed in particular to his sympathetic and strong reaction to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in his native Argentina -- the deadliest bombing in the country's history.
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Conclave Opens * Sweet Sistine Victor * Cardinal’s Mom
By Lauren Markoe — March 12, 2013
The papal conclave opens today. But here at RNS, we've already picked the winner in our Sweet Sistine Pope Madness tourney. One cardinal's mom says: please don't choose my boy.
Catholic bishops oppose Violence Against Women Act over lesbian provisions
By Lauren Markoe — March 7, 2013
(RNS) Key U.S. Catholic bishops are objecting to portions of the Violence Against Women Act, which they say attempt to subvert traditional views of gender and marriage, and fail to protect the religious freedom of aid workers.
House considers rising anti-Semitism in Europe, Middle East
By Lauren Markoe — February 27, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) A Wednesday hearing featured activists who fear that growing anti-Semitism in Europe threatens not only Jews, but other religious minorities and the ideal of tolerance in general.
Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup: Sweet Sistine * “Pontiff Emeritus” * Sorry, Wiccans
By Lauren Markoe — February 26, 2013
Make your picks for the Sweet Sistine. The retiring pontiff gets a new title. Fox News says sorry to Wiccans.
Singing on “Idol,” and facing the wrath of religious traditionalists
By Lauren Markoe — February 21, 2013
(RNS) The biggest worry for "American Idol" contestants is whether the judges will let them sing on the next show. For some singers on Idol-type programs abroad, it's that religious extremists will kill them.
Benedict XVI’s poll numbers can’t match John Paul II’s
By Lauren Markoe — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI never inspired the deep admiration enjoyed by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, but Americans – and Catholic Americans even more so – still look favorably upon the soon-to-be-former head of the Roman Catholic Church.
