All Stories by Mark A. Kellner
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.
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.
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.