Mark A. Kellner
Mark A. Kellner is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Mark A. Kellner
Catholic leaders use Religious Freedom Week to highlight social services
By Mark A. Kellner — June 21, 2018
(RNS) — Seeking to transcend ongoing debates over religious liberty and same-sex marriage, Catholic leaders refocus their Religious Freedom Week on serving others.
Justices deny bid from dissident South Carolina churches to keep buildings
By Mark A. Kellner — June 12, 2018
(RNS) — The Episcopal Church in South Carolina will reclaim control of more than two dozen properties after the U.S. Supreme Court declined an appeal brought by a breakaway group of conservative Anglicans.
Catholic diocese quits Maine Council of Churches
By Mark A. Kellner — May 31, 2018
(RNS) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine, is withdrawing from the Maine Council of Churches in a bid to distance itself from LGBT advocacy and other stances that the church says could compromise its public moral witness.
Episcopalians scramble to capitalize on royal wedding opportunity
By Mark A. Kellner — May 17, 2018
(RNS) — For the Episcopal Church, the occasion marks a moment of opportunity to welcome newcomers and show the world Episcopalians are not entirely marginalized for their progressive views on gay ordination and same-sex marriage.
Rhode Island Council of Churches director takes leave for gender transition
By Mark A. Kellner — May 15, 2018
(RNS) — The Rev. Donald Anderson, 70, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, will take a three-month leave beginning June 1 to complete a transition from male to female.
In historic votes, Lutherans elect two African-American women bishops
By Mark A. Kellner — May 7, 2018
(RNS) — The votes mark an inclusive step forward for the 'most white' of the nation's mainline Protestant denominations, according to Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
What’s Auschwitz? 2/3 of millennials don’t know it was a Nazi death camp, survey reports
By Mark A. Kellner — April 12, 2018
(RNS) — It also found that 31 percent of all Americans and more than 4-in-10 millennials believe that 2 million Jews or less were killed during the Holocaust — substantially less than the historically accepted figure, which is closer to 6 million.
Christian group asks Netflix to pull ‘13 Reasons Why’ after teen suicides
By Mark A. Kellner — April 11, 2018
(RNS) — The American Family Association and other critics say the popular series, which will soon begin its second season, glamorizes suicide.
Controversy erupts over Bible in Okinawa naval hospital display
By Mark A. Kellner — April 9, 2018
(RNS) — The investigation follows a formal complaint filed after a Bible was placed on a display table arranged to honor POW/MIAs.
Mormons pay tribute to LDS leader Monson
By Mark A. Kellner — January 11, 2018
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) — Thomas S. Monson, considered a prophet by the 16-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Jan. 2 at age 90 after months of declining health.
Thomas S. Monson, 90, LDS church president since 2008, dies
By Mark A. Kellner — January 3, 2018
(RNS) — Monson served in leadership roles for half a century for the world's 16 million Mormons.
The Slingshot: Moore’s core; Baptist breakup; Family funeral
By Mark A. Kellner — November 16, 2017
At a Baptist revival, embattled Alabama Judge Roy Moore finds solace. Tennessee Baptists reject a church that hired a female pastor. Mourners flood Sutherland Springs for a family's funeral.
The Slingshot: Pence prays; Desecrated places; Charleston pastor
By Mark A. Kellner — November 9, 2017
Pence tells grieving town 'Faith is stronger than evil.' The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, will be demolished, like other mass killing sites before it. The pastor of an AME church where a mass shooting occurred in 2015, reaches out to the Texas shooting victims.
The Slingshot: Pope pained; Pastor prohibited; Pushing pilgrimage
By Mark A. Kellner — November 2, 2017
Pope Francis says he's 'pained' by recent extremist attacks. An evangelical pastor said he's banned from Liberty University over criticism of school's president. A wheelchair-bound man's friend enables a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, step-by-step.
The Slingshot: Final story; Pence trip; Jailed Witness
By Mark A. Kellner — October 26, 2017
Jeff Weiss’ brain cancer battle was the religion writer's final story. Pence heads to the Middle East to support persecuted Christians. A UN panel wants Tajikistan to free a teenaged Jehovah's Witness.
