Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Muslim Seminary Ends Talks with Vatican over Pope’s Comments
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The most prestigious religious university in the Sunni Muslim world has suspended dialogue with the Vatican to protest statements by Pope Benedict XVI denouncing violence against Christians in Egypt....
Ala. Governor Apologizes for Brothers and Sisters Comment
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley apologized to anyone who was offended with his inaugural day comments that non-Christians were not his “brothers and sisters.” Bentley met for an hour with members of...
Political Right’s Perverted Liturgy: No Taxes
With the inauguration of Robert Bentley as Alabama's 53rd governor, one thing we can look forward to is more of the same – "no new taxes." It is the mantra of the political right in our state and in our nation: no...
British Minister’s Tent Vigil Highlights Haiti’s Suffering
A British Baptist minister spent the night in a tent outside his church to remind people of the hundreds of thousands who are still living in makeshift tents in Haiti. Rev. Paul Hill of East Sheen Baptist Church,...
Two Days on the Arizona Border Help Frame Immigration Debate
He asked us to call the border patrol. After three days in the harsh Sonoran Desert, having been left behind by five other undocumented migrants when he injured his leg, the teenage boy had had enough. He wanted to go...
Update: Innkeepers Found Guilty for Turning Away Gay Couple
LONDON (RNS) Two Christian innkeepers have been convicted of sexual discrimination for refusing to allow a gay couple to share a double room at their hotel in Cornwall, England. Peter and Hazelmary Bull also were...
Catholic Bishops Won’t Support Repeal of Health Care Law
WASHINGTON(RNS) The U.S. Catholic bishops will not join efforts to repeal the new health care law, even though they staunchly opposed the bill last year after concluding it permits federally funded abortions. Instead...
Vatican Tries to Tamp Down Abuse Letter to Irish Bishops
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican on Wednesday (Jan. 19) tried to tamp down allegations a controversial 1997 letter to Irish bishops was meant to discourage prelates from reporting sexual abuse cases to police or...
Arab Christians Don’t Curse the Darkness, But Light Candles
No different from other regions of the world, the Middle East-North Africa is saddled with its own share of challenges. They come in different forms and combinations. Over the years, our Lord has taught us to seek in...
Report Exposes British Evangelicals’ Differences
Evangelicals are fragmented in their beliefs, with little unanimity on moral and social questions, according to new research from the Evangelical Alliance. The research, "21st Century Evangelicals: A Snapshot of the...
Reasons to Hope for a More Ecumenical Future
Sometimes, I'm not sure we really want to experience ecumenicalism or diversity. We say we do, but maybe we are afraid of being changed. Most of the ecumenical events I see today seem to bring together persons who are...
Mixed blessings
Some things in life are a mixed blessing. Like my dog, who is incredibly inconvenient and expensive to care for, which irritates me, since I'm not really a dog person. Today, on an early morning walk (just seven hours...
Three Anglican Bishops Ordained as Catholic Priests
LONDON (RNS) Three former Church of England bishops, disaffected by their church’s ordination of women, have been ordained as priests in the Roman Catholic Church under a new special section created by the Vatican....
Religious Leaders Praise new Obama Policy on Cuba
WASHINGTON (RNS) Faith leaders with long-term ties to Cuban organizations are hailing a change in White House policy that reduces limits on religious travel to the island nation. The White House announced Friday (Jan....
Ala. Governor Says only Christians Are his Brothers and Sisters
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (RNS) Newly sworn-in Gov. Robert Bentley said he plans to be the governor of all Alabamians and be color-blind, but also said that people who aren’t “saved” Christians aren’t his brothers and sisters....
What Sports Team Will God Favor This Week?
After winning the BCS National Championship game, Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik said in his post-game field interview, "God was with us …" I was saddened. I realize Chizik is not trying to court controversy or spark a...
After Arizona, Will Prophetic Voices Emerge?
In eulogizing victims of the Arizona shootings, President Obama urged Americans "to use words that heal, not wound." In the days since the shooting, political pundits have used the tragedy to forward their own...
Why You Should Help Someone Who May Rip You Off
Last week a man walked hesitantly into the church office asking for help to get to Cincinnati. He was just released from University Hospital and showed the plastic ID bracelet on his wrist. He'd been shot a few weeks...
Pakistani Churches Criticize Government’s Refusal to Amend Blasphemy Law
BANGALORE, India (RNS/ENInews) Pakistani churches say they’re frustrated by the government’s refusal to amend a controversial blasphemy law that makes it a capital crime to insult Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. Human...
A Rush Toward Sainthood for John Paul II?
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has recognized a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II, bringing the late pontiff one step from sainthood a mere six years after his death, the Vatican announced on Friday (Jan....
Poll: Americans of All Faiths See a Civility Problem in U.S. Politics
(RNS) Whether they rally behind Fox News’ Glenn Beck to “Restore Honor” or Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart to “Restore Sanity,” Americans agree on one thing: our political system has a civility problem. Four out of five...