Katherine Burgess
Katherine Burgess has lived in California, Cambodia and Tennessee. She has covered subjects as varied as a United Nations tribunal, church leadership conferences and a maximum security prison. She is currently based in Washington, D.C.
All Stories by Katherine Burgess
Update: Evangelist Billy Graham released from hospital
By Katherine Burgess — November 21, 2013
(RNS) “Mr. Graham was alert and in good spirits during his stay,” said Dr. William R. Hathaway, chief medical officer at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C. “We are pleased with the results of Mr. Graham’s evaluation.”
Congress pushes for release of American pastor imprisoned in Iran
By Katherine Burgess — November 21, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Iranian government sentenced Abedini to eight years in prison after convicting him of “undermining” the government by spreading his religious beliefs.
Survey: Same-sex couples create own rules in wedding planning
By Katherine Burgess — November 19, 2013
(RNS) A survey of 916 gay and lesbian couples found that religious leaders officiated at just one in four same-sex marriages, and that only 12 percent of ceremonies were held in religious spaces.
‘No Makeup November’ inspires women to focus on inner beauty
By Katherine Burgess — November 18, 2013
(RNS) “It’s bringing awareness to true beauty and to taking off the mask,” said coordinator Becca Daniel. “I believe that there’s a need because of the culture that we live in. It’s just very much beauty-saturated: ‘beauty’ meaning what’s on the outside.”
Study: Catholic parishes are increasingly multicultural
By Katherine Burgess — November 15, 2013
(RNS) More than a third of U.S. Catholic parishes are multicultural, according to a study by Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
State Department names Boko Haram a terrorist organization
By Katherine Burgess — November 14, 2013
(RNS) Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden,” is responsible for thousands of deaths in northeast and central Nigeria, according to the State Department.
Immigration activists gather for prayer vigil at the ‘Fast for Families’
By Katherine Burgess — November 13, 2013
Many at the event told stories of having themselves immigrated or having friends endure the pains of familial separation due to the immigration system.
Activists to fast on Capitol Hill until Congress passes immigration reform
By Katherine Burgess — November 12, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) “We know that Martin Luther King Jr., were he here today, would be standing here with us," said the Rev. Barbara Williams Skinner, co-chair of the National African American Clergy Network. "Cesar Chavez would be standing with us and Gandhi would be standing with us. We think that’s enough power to change the Congress.”
Despite ‘huge’ hesitancy, seminaries branch out in online degrees
By Katherine Burgess — November 7, 2013
Online education is growing as seminaries expand their programs to reach students who are unable or unwilling to uproot their lives for a traditional on-campus experience.
‘Church Rescue’ propels unlikely reality TV stars: church consultants
By Katherine Burgess — November 5, 2013
(RNS) So far, six episodes are planned, although the Church Hoppers said they hope to film additional shows. Their targets include a Full Gospel church, a biker church, a cowboy church and even a synagogue.
Update: New Jersey school district will allow religious holiday songs
By Katherine Burgess — November 5, 2013
(RNS) The ban was met with opposition from the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, which sent the school board a letter charging that the district lawyer who advised the ban had misunderstood federal rulings on related cases.
Calatrava unveils designs for Ground Zero church destroyed on 9/11
By Katherine Burgess — October 31, 2013
(RNS) "Even though it is a Greek Orthodox church, it will be open to all people of all faiths, a place of solace for them," said the Rev. Mark Arey, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Fewer home-school families cite religion as their main motivation
By Katherine Burgess — October 30, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) As home-schooling slowly becomes more mainstream, most parents cite the environment of public schools, not religious belief, as the main reason behind their decision to home-school.
Report: Church giving reaches Depression-era record lows
By Katherine Burgess — October 24, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The percentage of a church member’s income given to churches dropped to 2.3 percent in 2011, down from 2.4 percent in 2010.
Supreme Court affirms monks’ right to sell caskets
By Katherine Burgess — October 22, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) “We really can now move forward without worrying about being shut down,” said Deacon Mark Coudrain, manager of St. Joseph Woodworks in Covington, La.
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