NEWS OF THE WEEK
After much campaigning by outside groups on both sides, the Boy Scouts postponed until May a decision on lifting its ban on gay scouts and leaders. Several conservative religious organizations were particularly vocal in their opposition to lifting the ban. … More
As faith groups continue to push for comprehensive immigration reform, some are now raising concerns over President Obama’s support for same-sex couples in his plan. The president wants to give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the … More
The president joined a host of political, diplomatic and religious leaders for the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday (February 7). By tradition, participants put aside differences to pray for the nation and the world. Obama told the group he … More
Former Los Angeles archbishop, Cardinal Roger Mahony, strongly defended his handling of clergy sex abuse after newly released documents revealed the extent to which Mahony protected abusive priests. Mahony was recently rebuked by his successor, Archbishop Jose Gomez, who relieved … More
The Vatican’s new sex crimes prosecutor this week urged the Catholic Church to be transparent in confronting the sex abuse crisis. Father Robert Oliver, a Boston canon lawyer, acknowledged the church had failed in the past. He also praised the … More
In Colorado, a Catholic hospital that is being sued for wrongful death admitted it was “morally wrong” when it tried to defend itself by citing a state law that says fetuses are not people. The lawsuit was brought by a … More
The worldwide Anglican Communion has a new spiritual leader. Justin Welby was confirmed this week as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. At a traditional ceremony in London, the former oil executive swore allegiance to the Queen and her successors. Welby … More
Western Christians will begin observing Lent, the 40-day period of prayer and fasting before Easter. The season begins with Ash Wednesday (February 13), when many receive an ash mark of penance on their foreheads. Sunday (February 10) is Chinese New … More
A dramatic development this week in the Catholic Church’s sex abuse crisis: Prominent retired cardinal Roger Mahony was stripped of his public and administrative church duties in Los Angeles amid widespread criticism of how he covered up allegations of child … More
The Obama administration announced a new attempted compromise with religious groups Friday in the ongoing dispute over the controversial “contraception mandate” in the health care law. Under the new proposed rules, faith-based nonprofit employers with religious objections would not have … More
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