Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Downton Finale * Mahony’s humiliation * Saint B16?

Cardinal Mahony says he's cool with all the "humiliation" coming his way, but he still has tickets for Rome for the upcoming conclave. A Rome tailor is prepping papal vestments in small, medium and large. All that and more in today's Religion News Roundup.

In the Servants' Hall with Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Rob James-Collier as Thomas, Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes, Jim Carter as Carson, Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O’Brien, Kevin Doyle as Molesley.  RNS photo courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE.
In the Servants' Hall with Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Rob James-Collier as Thomas, Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes, Jim Carter as Carson, Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O’Brien, Kevin Doyle as Molesley.  RNS photo courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE.

In the Servants’ Hall with Joanne Froggatt as Anna, Rob James-Collier as Thomas, Phyllis Logan as Mrs Hughes, Jim Carter as Carson, Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O’Brien, Kevin Doyle as Molesley. RNS photo courtesy of © Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE.

As you prepare to settle in for Sunday’s season finale of Downton Abbey, be sure to check out David Gibson’s analysis of why God — the ultimate Upstairs character — seems not to have a leading role on the acclaimed PBS series. And this: where are the Jews on Downton?

In pope news:


Meanwhile …

The Illinois Senate gave a Valentine’s gift to gay and lesbian couples by passing a gay marriage bill, but it faces a somewhat tougher climb in the state House.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has (somewhat surprisingly) given up the fight to control an independent-minded Polish parish whose bylaws put it beyond the reach of the local archbishop.

President Obama’s former faith-based guru, Joshua DuBois, describes how he first encountered a skinny Illinois state senator with a funny name, and what he plans to do next.

A Minnesota teenager has emerged as a leading voice for gun control after his father was shot dead last year by a disgruntled former employee; Sami Rahamim says he’s motivated by his Jewish faith.

Before you break out the tea and crumpets for your Downton party, be sure to take our readership survey (probably on the right, with the iPad image). Today’s the last opportunity to enter for a chance to win an iPad mini!

 

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