The new leader of the Anglican Communion says that true reconciliation requires “putting your most valued and passionate beliefs out for them to be examined, attacked, and then finding a way to love the person with whom you are dealing.” More →

March 22, 2013

“The theology of Rome, the authority of Rome—that was appealing to us,” says Father Mark Lewis of St. Luke’s Parish, the first US Episcopal church to join the Catholic Church under new Vatican rules. More →

August 3, 2012

Watch our annual reporters roundtable on the most important religion and ethics news of the past year. More →

December 22, 2010

Reactions continue after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted to allow local congregations to hire noncelibate gay and lesbian pastors. Prior to the vote at last week’s biennial ELCA assembly, there was vigorous debate about homosexuality and the … More →

August 25, 2009

The question of whether to ordain gay clergy has challenged and divided many denominations, including Conservative Jews. The Orthodox strongly oppose gay ordination, but reform Jews accept it. Now, the Conservative movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has recommended … More →

February 2, 2007

U.S. mainline denominations are all deeply divided on gay issues. In 2003, the U.S. Episcopal Church consecrated an openly gay bishop. But the United Methodists have stood firm in their opposition to homosexuality. In a series of votes, United Methodist delegates reaffirmed their church’s traditional policy, which says the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” More →

May 7, 2004

The United Methodist Church — the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. — opened its 11-day-long General Conference in Pittsburgh this week. The highest legislative body of the church meets only every four years. This time, gay issues are expected to dominate. More →

April 30, 2004

The consecration of Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson caused international debate over the role of gays in the church. Some Episcopalians are celebrating what they see as the church’s openness and diversity, while others are lamenting what they believe is departure … More →

October 31, 2003

BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: The scandals in the Catholic church have prompted wide-ranging questions about sexual orientation and practice, among them issues of homosexuality. Experts insist that pedophilia — sexual attraction to children — has no connection to homosexuality. Still, the … More →

April 5, 2002

Homosexuality is one of the most contentious issues facing Christian denominations, A year ago, Methodist ministers blessed a holy union ceremony in which two women exchanged marriage vows. Yet the controversy isn’t going away, and conservatives are urging an end to what they call blatant disobedience among clergy. More →

February 18, 2000