Thousands of anti-abortion activists are expected in Washington today for the annual March for Life. The election of a Republican House has rejuvenated some abortion foes, but President Obama reiterated on the just-past anniversary of Roe v. Wade his belief that abortion is a constitutional right.

Muslims in Rep. Peter King’s New York district say the congressman has turned from a friend into a bitter enemy, as he prepares Capitol Hill hearings on the “radicalization” of American Muslims.

Two car bombs struck Shiite pilgrims Monday in an Iraqi holy city, killing at least 18 people as crowds massed to mark the end of a 40-day mourning period for the sect’s beloved saint, according to the AP. Egypt says it has “conclusive proof” that an Al Qaeda-linked Palestinian militant group orchestrated the New Year’s Day bombing outside a Coptic Christian church that killed 25 worshipers and exacerbated sectarian tensions across Egypt.

Pope Benedict XVI told priests Saturday to do a better job counseling engaged couples and said no one has a “right” to a wedding. He also told Catholic bloggers to be respectful of others when spreading the Gospel online and not to be obsessed with popularity.

At least seven Anglican primates will boycott this week’s meeting in Ireland to protest the Episcopal Church’s consecration of gay bishops. A Texas state court held that property of the Diocese of Fort Worth belongs to the individuals who remain loyal to the hierarchical church.

The Rev. Bernice King, MLK’s daughter, has backed out of her late father’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference, saying she wants to be more than a “figurehead.” Billy Graham said that if he had to do it all over again, he would have “steered clear of politics.”

Fearing a possible court challenge, Hawaii’s state senate has voted to silence the daily prayer offered before each session. Less than 15 percent of Chinese are atheists, despite the country’s anti-religion policies. An average of 14 Brits a day, mostly women, converted to Islam last year.

The tradition of passing the church plate might become a relic of the past, Reuters says, as more Americans pay bills electronically and move away from using cash.