c. 2008 Religion News Service (RNS) Some say Pope Paul VI predicted the dangers of loosening sexual morals: widespread divorce, disease and promiscuity. Others say he cracked open a culture of dissent that has seeped into every corner of the church. Either way, 40 years after Paul VI released “Humanae Vitae'' on July 25, 1968, […]

PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) Clearly, the length of gold tinsel draped around her neck was not what Melinda Smith was hoping for. “Is this all I get?” she pleaded with Beth Keys, director of the annual interactive Christmas pageant at Portland’s Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst. Keys disappeared and returned with a long, white gown, its collar […]

(RNS) Redeemer Covenant Church in Caledonia, Mich., decided on a different set of Christmas decorations this year: Instead of fresh poinsettias and artificial greens, Redeemer’s sanctuary is filled with canned goods and clothing that will be donated to the needy. The Rev. Jack Brown, who pastors the congregation with his wife, Sharon, explained why they […]

(RNS) The following is an actual exchange, unedited, except to remove the profanity. The setting: Mid-morning at a suburban gift boutique. The time: The week before Christmas. The players: The pleasant store clerk, a 40-something soccer mom-type and me (browsing for stocking stuffers). Enter the frazzled soccer mom. “Some people are unbeLIEVEable!” she says, to […]

WASHINGTON (RNS) Conscience protection — or perhaps, the lack of it — is a key issue in health care reform. Forcing someone to violate his or her conscience is an act of violence no civilized society should tolerate. U.S. Catholic bishops are seeking conscience protection for two groups: Catholic and other institutions (especially health care […]

Traditions of island spirituality call for a reverence for nature. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

Tourists and locals reflect on the river. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

Bringing food and togetherness to a community. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

The story behind the Rev. Charles Morris and his church’s wind turbine. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

The Rev. Sally Bingham sees a link between ecology and faith. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

A look at why religious orders feel connected to the land. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

In 1949, an order of Dominican Sisters opened a school on an old orchard in Plainville, Mass. Sister Chris Loughlin explains why the sisters had no choice but to close the school after just 25 years, and how their religious mission has evolved since. Right-click here to download the video file. Add to Favorite Articles

(RNS) Conservatives upset over the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s recent decision to allow non-celibate gay clergy have voted to create a free-standing synod and study for a year whether to leave the denomination. “Basically, what we’re saying is that a year from now, we’re going to have a proposal of some form,” said the […]

(RNS) The Rev. Forrest Church, perhaps the nation’s best known Unitarian Universalist preacher, died Thursday (Sept. 24) after a three-year battle with cancer that shaped his final years of ministry into an extended reflection on death and dying. Church, 61, had been pastor of New York’s Unitarian Church of All Souls for more than 30 […]

DUBLIN (RNS/ENI) The number of Irish men entering the seminary to become Roman Catholic priests has risen to a 10-year high following years of dwindling vocations. The Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors for the Catholic Church in Ireland said that 36 new seminarians were about to begin studying for the priesthood in Irish dioceses. The […]