Vatican officials say they held a “cordial” meeting with representatives from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and reminded the nuns that they remain “under the supreme direction of the Holy See.”

Cardinal William Levada, who heads the Vatican's chief doctrinal office, warned that the LCWR could lose its place in the church if their discussions with the hierarchy become a “dialogue of the deaf.”

Sounds like a Harold Pinter play.

WaPo says the standoff raises huge questions about what it means to be Catholic.

You got nuns on a bus, bishops gearing up for a “Fortnight of Freedom” – what more could a religion reporter ask for? 

Seems the bishops aren't alone in advocating against the HHS contraception mandate. Nearly 150 religious leaders, led by conservative Protestants, have petitioned the Obama administration to broaden the exemption for religious groups.

But North Dakota voters rejected a proposed “religious freedom” law, which was pushed by the state's Catholic conference and evangelical groups.

Evangelical activists are pressing Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

The Southern Baptist Convention, which lost members for the fifth straight year, is poised to elect its first black president. 

Mormon missionaries, including Mitt Romney, endure a grueling regimen of prayer, study and proselytizing. Many are mocked, rejected, even killed. And yet their faith flourishes.

The Church of England and Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales objected to the government's proposal to permit gay marriages.

A photo of two male soldiers in uniform holding hands that was posted on the Israel Defense Forces website has caused quite a stir.

Family Research Council prez Tony Perkins notes that June is Gay Pride month, then muses, “I have not yet seen where they have declared Adultery Pride Month, I have not seen where they have declared Drunkenness Pride Month.”

Don't they call that Mardi Gras? Most people wish it lasted a month.

A Muslim man says his application to the NYPD was rejected because he responded “yes,” to the question: “Should homosexuals be locked up?”

New York City health officials proposed that Orthodox Jewish parents be required to sign a consent waiver before taking part in a controversial circumcision ritual.

Georgia will not let the KKK adopt a highway. 

New Hampshire senators are backing a rural town's request to change the name of a fishing spot known as “Jew Pond.”

Pope Benedict XVI warned Catholics to “renounce the glamour of Satan.”  

Yr hmbl aggrgtr,

Daniel Burke