Heather Cook leaves Baltimore City Circuit Court in Baltimore with attorney Jose Moline after her arraignment on April 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Juliet Linderman)
Need to know: Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Once a bishop, now a ‘poster child’ for alcoholism, Heather Cook seeks to make amends
The first woman bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland was convicted of vehicular manslaughter, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while texting and was just released from prison.
In the heart of the Middle East, a fledgling synagogue gets a rabbi
The Jewish Community of the Emirates has so far met in an unmarked home in a residential location in Dubai so as to draw little attention in this predominantly Muslim country.
Sowing division, Islamists target Christians in Burkina Faso
Since 2016, at least 300 violent incidents have been reported in Burkina Faso, resulting in the death of more than 360 people, including policemen and soldiers, school teachers and religious leaders.
American University Cairo religion professor loses post in academic freedom fight
The university's president withdrew the title awarded in a professor's contract after the professor refused a donor's demand that he advocate for Islam over other religions in his teaching and scholarship.
How ‘joke religion’ turns deadly serious when the online alt-right comes to life
The nihilism of today's alt-right is both a religion and a rejection of the transcendence that religion holds out as a balm, writes Tara Isabella Burton.
Prince Charles misused influence to shield cleric, abuse inquiry reports
Prince Charles misused his influence to shield Peter Ball, a former Anglican bishop and old friend, from punishment after the cleric had admitted sexually abusing a young novice, an independent inquiry found this week.
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Victims of clergy abuse to sue Vatican, seek abusers’ names
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The lawsuit being filed Tuesday seeks the release of 3,400 names of priests who were referred to the Vatican for "credible cases of abuse."
Shambhala International fights to survive in face of sex scandal
In order to address outstanding debt, the board is looking into selling Marpa House, a beloved property used as an intentional living community for about 40 people.
As Catholic-Jewish relations warm in Rome, they cool in Chicago
As Catholics in Rome reached out to Jews, Louis Farrakhan took the pulpit of a Catholic Church in Chicago.
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An open letter to Rashida Tlaib
Perhaps Rep. Tlaib was trying to say something different. Let's give her the opportunity to clarify her words and thoughts.
A fight over ‘So help me God’? God help us
Let’s avoid adding more fuel to the culture wars. God should not be a political football, writes Thomas Reese.
Are yoga and mindfulness in schools religious?
Yoga and mindfulness could become the fourth 'R' of public education. But up for debate is whether the 'R' in this case stands for relaxation or religion, writes Candy Gunther Brown.