Monthly Archives: February 2013
A cultural omnivore, and maybe the next pope
By Alessandro Speciale — February 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi is known for his wide interests, and seemingly Internet-like omniscience. And some Catholics say he could just be the next pope.
Quote of the Day: Laurel (Miss.) Leader-Call owner Jim Cegielski
By Ron Ribiat — February 22, 2013
“We have stories about child molesters, murders and all kinds of vicious, barbaric acts of evil committed by heinous criminals on our front page, and yet we never receive a call from anyone saying ‘I don’t need my children reading this.’ Never. Ever. However, a story about two women exchanging marriage vows and we get […]
Did gays in the Vatican drive Benedict out?
By David Gibson — February 22, 2013
The latest speculation is that Benedict's resignation was prompted by the discovery of a gay "mafia" inside the Vatican. Not likely. Here's why. Paging Captain Renault...
When TMZ spots a Catholic Cardinal…
By Michael J. O'Loughlin — February 22, 2013
The celebrity chasers at TMZ somehow recognized Washington’s Cardinal Donald Wuerl and, for some reason, the prelate wasn’t told to keep walking.
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Tebow’s RSVP * Bar Mitzvah rap * Pope JPB1
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 22, 2013
A long-shot contender for the papacy intends to be known as John Paul Benedict I. Tim Tebow fumbles an invite from an outspoken Dallas megachurch. And this kid's bar mitzvah rap video is going to come back to haunt him.
Scholars seek to reclaim a dirty word: secularism
By Kimberly Winston — February 22, 2013
(RNS) A conference at Georgetown University this week focused on cleaning up what many Americans consider a dirty word: secularism. The goal of the "Secularism on the Edge" conference was, in part, to define what secularism is and what it is not.
Catholic League says NYT buries bad rabbi stories. Nope.
By Mark Silk — February 22, 2013
Bill Donohue is up in arms against the New York Times for giving the business to bad Catholic priests while shielding bad rabbis. I fear Bill has overlooked some important coverage.
Major Speakers to Highlight Annual Convention of The Central Conference of American Rabbis
By Religion News LLC — February 22, 2013
New York, NY, Feb. 22, 2013 — The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) has announced an outstanding lineup of major speakers and programming for its annual Convention, to be held March 3-6, 2013 in Long Beach, California. Big name speakers include Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist; Howard Gordon, writer and producer of the Golden […]
Singing on “Idol,” and facing the wrath of religious traditionalists
By Lauren Markoe — February 21, 2013
(RNS) The biggest worry for "American Idol" contestants is whether the judges will let them sing on the next show. For some singers on Idol-type programs abroad, it's that religious extremists will kill them.
Shifting our understanding of “salvation”: An interview with J.D. Greear
By Jonathan Merritt — February 21, 2013
Note: Each Friday, “On Faith & Culture” will feature an exclusive interview with a Christian thought leader or a voice of importance to the American Christian community. Thirty-nine-year-old J.D. Greear pastors The Summit Church in Durham, N.C., which has been named one of the top 25 fast-growing churches in America for several years by Outreach […]
Figuring Faith | What Do American Catholics Want From the New Pope?
By Robert P. Jones — February 21, 2013
Next month, the College of Cardinals will select a new pope. Their choice will help shape the trajectory of the Catholic Church, which has seen significant global demographic shifts over the past century, as well as tensions about the role of tradition...
When do student prayers cross the First Amendment line?
By Charles C. Haynes — February 21, 2013
ANALYSIS: White smoke, black pope? The odds against an ‘Obama moment’
By David Gibson — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Will the conclave electing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI next month have an "Obama moment'' and pick a pope from outside Europe for the first time in modern history? Several factors are working against it.
Quote of the Day: First Baptist Church of Dallas
By Ron Ribiat — February 21, 2013
(RNS) “First Baptist is a church built on the truth of Scripture, even though at times that approach can be perceived as controversial or counter to the prevailing winds of culture.” — First Baptist Church of Dallas, in a statement reported by The Dallas Morning News, after quarterback Tim Tebow decided not to appear at […]
Benedict XVI’s poll numbers can’t match John Paul II’s
By Lauren Markoe — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI never inspired the deep admiration enjoyed by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, but Americans – and Catholic Americans even more so – still look favorably upon the soon-to-be-former head of the Roman Catholic Church.
