Christian
GUEST COMMENTARY: The Vatican’s strong defense of the Jews
By Philip A. Cunningham — January 28, 2013
(RNS) The head of a schismatic traditionalists recently labeled Jews ``enemies of the Church.'' And while that statement could have sparked an interfaith crisis, it's instead motivated Catholic leaders to directly repudiate him with strongly worded pledges of friendship with Jews.
Catholic bishop tries to explain how a priest ended up in ‘self-bondage’
By Tim Townsend — January 28, 2013
There are signs that a younger generation of Catholic leaders have learned lessons from the last decade and are attempting to be as open as possible when a crisis comes to their diocese. Yet in the case of a priest diagnosed with "non-sexual self-bondage," that desire for transparency may have produced a response that caused more harm than good.
Isolation leads British Muslims to act like ‘idiots’
By Trevor Grundy — January 25, 2013
LONDON (RNS) The increasing isolation of Britain's Muslim community is leading to stepped-up attacks against Muslims and a sense that Muslims can act like "idiots" against outsiders in some parts of the city, British government and Muslim leaders say.
Catholic hospital under fire for saying fetuses aren’t ‘people’
By Bob Smietana — January 25, 2013
(RNS) A Catholic hospital in Colorado has argued in court documents that it is not liable for the deaths of two 7-month-old fetuses because those fetuses are not people.
Catholic college engages atheism head-on
By Ron Csillag — January 25, 2013
TORONTO (RNS) It's an unlikely setting for an unlikely class. The chapel at Jesuit-run Regis College is adorned with stained glass, icons of Mary and Joseph, and the Stations of the Cross. The eight-week course being taught here is on atheism. More properly, "Responding to 21st-Century Atheism.''
S.C. Episcopal diocese claims a victory in secession struggle
By Lauren Markoe — January 24, 2013
(RNS) Episcopal conservatives in South Carolina have won the latest round in their effort to secede from the national church after a judge said only the breakaway group can use the name and seal of the Diocese of South Carolina.
Happy Birthday to the Prophet Muhammad! (from a female point of view)
By Omid Safi — January 23, 2013
The poem describing the inner meaning of the Prophet's birthday goes on to describe the very physical experience of birth, that magical experience where a life enters this world through a grace-filled opening, resulting in an opening of a new gate of mercy for humanity.
Abortion foes debate best PR approach
By David Gibson — January 23, 2013
(RNS) When thousands of abortion opponents gather Friday to protest 40 years of Roe v. Wade, they will be divided in how to stir people to join their cause: shock them with graphic images of aborted fetuses, or convince them with affecting ultrasounds and reasonable arguments.
Poll shows a double standard on religious liberty
By Lauren Markoe — January 23, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Half of Americans worry that religious freedom in the U.S. is at risk, and about a third say "the gay and lesbian community” is to blame.
Vatican admits stalemate in talks with traditional SSPX group
By Alessandro Speciale — January 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A senior Vatican official admitted that years of talks between the Vatican and a breakaway group of ultra-traditionalist Catholics have led to a “stalemate." By Alessandro Speciale.
Preachers pray for unity at National Cathedral inaugural service
By Adelle M. Banks — January 22, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) President Obama started his second term with a traditional worship service and a challenge to work towards healing the nation’s divides.
Why Obama is not the fulfillment of Martin’s Dream
By Omid Safi — January 21, 2013
No, Brother Obama, that talented, charismatic, and eloquent speaker, is not yet the fulfillment of Brother Martin’s dream.
Obama extols a biblical vision of equality for all in second inaugural
By David Gibson — January 21, 2013
(RNS) A presidential inauguration is by tradition the grandest ritual of America’s civil religion, but President Obama took the oath of office on Monday (Jan. 21) in a ceremony that was explicit in joining theology to the nation’s destiny and setting out a biblical vision of equality that includes race, gender, class, and, most controversially, sexual orientation.
Episcopalians battle over aid to Israel
By Solange De Santis — January 20, 2013
(RNS) A group of prominent Episcopalians is criticizing their church's stand on Israel, urging it to join 15 other denominations who call for an accounting of U.S. aid to Israel. By Solange De Santis.
The faith of dogs
By Omid Safi — January 19, 2013
If this faithfulness and love is the faith of dogs, I pray for the faith of dogs for us human beings.
