Washington
Thousands rally for truth, evidence-based policies at March for Science
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 22, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) Now that the president has appointed cabinet members who are openly hostile to science, scientists all over the world say they have no choice but to take action.
First scorecard on international religious freedom rates members of Congress
By Lauren Markoe — February 23, 2017
(RNS) Both Republicans and Democrats should have done much better on the issue, with most scoring lower than an A or B, the report's authors concluded.
Gay couple will pastor historic church in Washington
By Lauren Markoe — January 9, 2017
(RNS) Sally Sarratt and Maria Swearingen were presented to the congregation during worship services Sunday in what may be a first for a Baptist congregation.
State of the art: A Q&A with the Smithsonian’s new religion curator
By guest — October 17, 2016
(RNS) With a major new initiative recently announced at the Smithsonian Institution, Americans will now be able to more clearly see the role of religion in the history of the United States.
Christians plan massive rally in Washington in July
By Adelle M. Banks — April 7, 2016
WASHINGTON (RNS) Nick Hall, leader of prayer events aimed at young people, hopes the event will draw crowds like Promise Keepers did two decades ago.
Historical snapshots of the archdioceses Pope Francis will visit
By Adelle M. Banks — September 22, 2015
(RNS) Here are snapshots of the history of Catholics in the archdioceses of Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
Pope Francis to visit US churches of history, grandeur and power
By Adelle M. Banks — September 15, 2015
(RNS) He'll make stops at prominent churches that have drawn the faithful and the curious for decades. From the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, here are a few of the churches on Pope Francis' itinerary.
Papal Mass in Washington will be in Spanish
By Gregory Korte — September 2, 2015
WASHINGTON – The canonization Mass is a reminder that the Latino Catholic church in the United States is actually older than the United States itself.
Ambassador: Pope Francis’ spontaneity makes security a challenge
By Rosie Scammell — August 25, 2015
ROME (RNS) But security agencies protecting the pope on his upcoming U.S. trip know they can’t “put him in a bubble, and he doesn’t want to be in a bubble,” says Kenneth F. Hackett, U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.
After long fight, Washington’s ‘ugliest church’ meets the wrecking ball
By Amanda Murphy — March 13, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Legal scholars and developers followed the case closely after it raised an important question: If the owners want to tear down a building, can somebody else force them to keep it?
Atheists and humanists launch Freethought Equality Fund PAC
By Katherine Burgess — September 18, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Organizers of the new Freethought Equality Fund political action committee claim there are more than 24 nontheists in Congress, although only Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., publicly identifies her religion as “none.”
Reactions to the Navy Yard shooting and Aaron Alexis’ Buddhist background
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 17, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) A killer Buddhist? It doesn’t seem to make theological sense.
Photo Slideshow: National Day of Prayer
By Adelle M. Banks — May 2, 2013
The National Day of Prayer, established by Congress in 1952, was marked across the country Thursday (May 2), including an observance at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington.
2012 shows a social sea change on gay marriage
By Lauren Markoe — November 7, 2012
(RNS) Gay rights supporters are marking Election Day 2012 as a turning point in their quest for marriage equality as opponents deny a cultural shift in American attitudes. By Lauren Markoe.
Woman crusades to save sister’s life, end the death penalty
By Tracy Simmons — October 29, 2012
SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) Victoria Ann Thorpe's sister has been on death row for 18 years for a crime she says she didn't commit. Now Thorpe is leading a grass-roots campaign to abolish the death penalty in Washington state, saying Jesus would never tolerate it. "Nothing that he did or said can be manipulated into harshness," she said. By Tracy Simmons.
