Monthly Archives: May 2009
Abortion reduction, Kansas style
By Mark Silk — May 31, 2009
We know how it goes. The murder of Dr. George Tiller, the late-term abortion provider, elicits condemnation from all but the fringe of the pro-life movement. Of course, at the near end of the fringe, there’s Randall Terry, who sticks to his guns, expressing no regret for the killing other than what would be said […]
Detente ahead at Liberty U?
By Adelle M. Banks — May 30, 2009
Officials of Liberty University and the College Democrats club that meets on campus have not yet had a meeting of the minds, but they did have a meeting on Wednesday, the school announced. The school has removed the club from its official list of endorsed clubs, but a new agreement may be in the works. […]
Church of Sweden elects lesbian bishop
By Tracy Gordon — May 29, 2009
UPPSALA, Sweden (RNS/ENI) The newly elected Lutheran bishop of Stockholm says that being a lesbian means she wants to stand alongside people who feel powerless. “I know what it is to be called into question,” the Rev. Eva Brunne said in an article on the Web site of the Church of Sweden after her Tuesday […]
Hayford won’t seek second term as head of Foursquare Church
By Tracy Gordon — May 29, 2009
(RNS) The Rev. Jack Hayford, a longtime Pentecostal leader, announced Tuesday (May 26) that he will not seek a second five-year term as president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. “I am not retiring, nor am I withdrawing my availability and commitment to serve our church family in any way I may be […]
Church leaders disappointed as Obama skips Kenya
By Tracy Gordon — May 29, 2009
NAIROBI (RNS/ENI) Some Kenyan Christian and Muslim leaders see President Obama’s decision to skip his father’s home country during his debut visit to Africa as a statement against poor governance in Kenya. Other Kenyans, meanwhile, have simply expressed regret that their country is not on Obama’s itinerary. “People are angrier with the government than about […]
Celebrity priest’s conversion strains ecumenical ties
By Tracy Gordon — May 29, 2009
(UNDATED) In the nearly 500 years since the Church of England split with the Roman Catholic Church, a fair number of converts have crossed from one church to the other. Still, the path is fraught with stumbling blocks, as the Rev. Alberto Cutie — the most recent, and high-profile convert — discovered on Thursday (May […]
L-A-O-D-I-C-E-A-N
By Daniel Burke — May 29, 2009
Kavya Shivashankar won the Spelling Bee last night by spelling the proper adjective “Laodicean,” which means lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics. The word derives from the proper noun Laodicean, which refers to early Christians living in an ancient city in Asia Minor called Laodicea, the motto of which, apparently, was “meh.” In the […]
Can you call it opposition if no one’s really opposed?
By Kevin Eckstrom — May 29, 2009
Jeff Strickler out at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that conservative opposition to Miguel Diaz, the Hispanic theologian nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, is pretty much deflated before it ever got started. Diaz is a relative unknown and has spent much of his career in academia, addressing the Catholic Church’s multicultural strengths […]
Changing times force innovation at Catholic schools
By Tracy Gordon — May 29, 2009
(UNDATED) Decades ago, when it was time for Catholic schools to enroll students for the new year, principals could fill classrooms without breaking a sweat. All they needed was for the parish priest to print a note in the church bulletin. Times have changed. These days, Catholic families have fewer children, on average. And public […]
Who’s listening
By Mark Silk — May 29, 2009
Is it interesting that the senior director of Focus on the Family’s Sanctity of Human Life department thinks the Obama administration is “really listening” on the subject of foster care? Yes it is. And even more interesting that the thought is purveyed via a canned quote on Focus’ CitizenLink website.
`Father OprahâÂ?Â? leaves for Episcopal Church; plans to marry
By Tracy Gordon — May 29, 2009
(UNDATED) The celebrity Miami priest known as “Father Oprah” converted from Catholicism to the Episcopal Church on Thursday (May 28), weeks after pictures surfaced of the cleric canoodling with his girlfriend on a Florida beach. The Rev. Alberto Cutie and his girlfriend were received into the Episcopal Church at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami on […]
Hockey as religion? Many Canadians think so.
By Tracy Gordon — May 28, 2009
TORONTO (RNS) May the puck be with you. And also with you. Hockey as religion? Many Canadians wouldn’t argue that their hard-core fandom borders on religious fervor. Even when they don’t bring home the holy grail of the Stanley Cup, storied teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens still attract the faithful. Likening […]
Parishioners sue archbishop on fraud charges
By Tracy Gordon — May 28, 2009
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Thirteen parishioners of a New Orleans Catholic church that closed after Hurricane Katrina have sued Archbishop Alfred Hughes and an aide, alleging fraud and broken promises. Parishioners from Our Lady of Good Counsel accused Hughes and the Rev. Michael Jacques of assuring them in August 2007 that their parish would remain open […]
Ala. judge steps away from supporter’s comments
By Tracy Gordon — May 28, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) A supporter of former “Ten Commandments Judge” and Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore was not speaking on Moore’s behalf when she accused public schools of “indoctrinating” children in communism and Islam, a Moore spokesman said. The charge is made in a letter that Moore supporter Julie Sanders wrote to other supporters, a […]
Obama names Hispanic theologian as Vatican envoy
By Tracy Gordon — May 28, 2009
WASHINGTON — President Obama has nominated Hispanic theologian Miguel H. Diaz as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. Diaz, a professor of theology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Minnesota, was nominated as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See on Wednesday (May 27). If the nomination is approved by […]
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