Christian
Fasting like an Old Testament prophet gains followers during Lent
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — February 6, 2013
(RNS) The Daniel Fast diet is gaining popularity during Lent, when participants will eat only food from seeds, drink only water and practice daily devotions. Proponents say it gives new meaning to Jesus' sacrifice -- and can be good for a nation that could afford to shed a few pounds.
Religious sponsors loom large in Boy Scouts’ policy debate
By Adelle M. Banks — February 6, 2013
(RNS) The decision by Boy Scouts officials to postpone any change in policy about gay membership was fueled by an ``outpouring of feedback.'' A lot of that reaction came from religious groups, who sponsor 70 percent of Scout troops.
Muslim views of the Apocalypse
By Daniel Burke — February 6, 2013
(RNS) Muslim and Christian views of the Apocalypse are remarkably similar, albeit with a different ending.
Lutheran pastor apologizes for praying at Newtown vigil
By Caleb K. Bell — February 6, 2013
(RNS) A Lutheran pastor in Newtown, Conn., has apologized after being reprimanded for participating in an interfaith vigil following the shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Obama fails to win over religious conservatives on contraception mandate
By Jonathan Merritt — February 5, 2013
When the Obama administration announced mandatory coverage of contraceptives in January of last year as part of sweeping healthcare reform, religious conservatives were incensed. Roman Catholics were angry because the church prohibits use of birth control, even though most congregants ignore the teaching. Evangelicals were upset because religious non-profits were not exempt from the mandate, which […]
Video of the Day: “Praise Songs for Dummies”
By David Gibson — February 5, 2013
Perhaps this has been going around church circles for a while, but Rod Dreher flags an instant classic — for those familiar with this style of worship, increasingly popular. It’s a send-up of that wonderfully inspirational, terribly treacly, wannabe-show-stopper, hope-to-be-hip, usually-falling-short style of modern church music known as the praise song. I think it was […]
New Vatican sex abuse prosecutor praises media
By Alessandro Speciale — February 5, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his first public appearance since arriving in Rome, the new Vatican prosecutor for sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church praised the media's role in uncovering the scandal.
Catholic hospital says fetus defense was ‘morally wrong’
By David Gibson — February 5, 2013
(RNS) After an uproar and an investigation by the state’s bishops, a Catholic hospital in Colorado has reversed course and said its attorneys were “morally wrong” to defend the hospital against a lawsuit by arguing that twin fetuses who died there should not be considered legal persons.
Will Cardinal Mahony face any consequences?
By David Gibson — February 5, 2013
On Monday, I revisited the question of whether the retired cardinal of Los Angeles, Roger Mahony, actually suffered any discipline in his dust-up with his successor over his dismal track record on the sexual abuse of children by clergy. Now Tom Roberts of the National Catholic Reporter highlights a follow-up that could be an important […]
Bishop Will Willimon: Writing fiction
By Sally Hicks — February 5, 2013
The theologian and bishop has written a novel he calls an “affectionate but truthful” rendering of the mundane and the majestic in church life.
Super Bowl ads and Saudi sexism
By Omid Safi — February 4, 2013
In expressing our dismay at the sexism of Saudi society, I hope that we remember the sexism of our own society here in the US, as evidenced in almost every single Super Bowl ad last night.
Did anything really change for Cardinal Mahony?
By David Gibson — February 4, 2013
(RNS) The quake that hit Los Angeles last week was an ecclesiastical one: Archbishop Jose Gomez publicly rebuked his predecessor, Cardinal Roger Mahony, and stripped him of his official duties. But on reflection, it’s not clear that Mahony was punished at all.
Colorado Bishops: Hospital wrong to argue fetus not a person
By Mark Silk — February 4, 2013
To their credit, I think, Colorado’s three Catholic bishops have issued a statement criticizing a Catholic hospital for defending itself against a wrongful death action by arguing in court that because a fetus is not a person under Colorado law it could not be guilty of the death of two fetuses. According to the letter, […]
Vatican signals options for protecting gay couples
By Alessandro Speciale — February 4, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A high-ranking Vatican official on Monday (Feb. 4) voiced support for giving unmarried couples some kind of unspecified legal protection even as he reaffirmed the Catholic Church's opposition to same-sex marriage.
Justin Welby confirmed as new Archbishop of Canterbury
By Trevor Grundy — February 4, 2013
LONDON (RNS) Justin Welby, a former oil executive who says he never thought he’d have sufficient experience to take on the Church of England's top job, was formally confirmed as the next archbishop of Canterbury on Monday at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
