Religion
/Health & Spirit
Ramadan fasting can conflict with diabetes and other medical concerns
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is integral in the lives of Muslims, but it's not always safe for everyone to participate.
Some health-care providers may not understand the religious importance of fasting during Ramadan, which this year spans from May 5 to June 4. At the same time, some Muslim patients may be inclined...Read more
Pa. Catholic Conference to abuse survivor: 'Why do you have to troll here?'
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The lobbying arm of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania on Wednesday accused a clergy sex abuse survivor of trolling it on social media -- then apologized after a swift backlash.
The unusual exchange, since deleted, unfolded on the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference's Facebook page. It began Tuesday evening, when the conference...Read more
Pa. Catholic Conference to abuse survivor: 'Why do you have to troll here?'
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The lobbying arm of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania on Wednesday accused a clergy sex abuse survivor of trolling it on social media -- then apologized after a swift backlash.
The unusual exchange, since deleted, unfolded on the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference's Facebook page. It began Tuesday evening, when the conference...Read more
Fort Worth seminary removes stained-glass honoring conservative Southern Baptist leaders
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Stained-glass windows memorializing religious leaders who helped shift the Southern Baptist Convention to a more conservative stance were unveiled with great fanfare several years ago at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Last month, those colorful images depicting religious leaders ranging from televangelist ...Read more
With sweeping new reforms, Vatican adopts most concrete steps to date to address sex abuse, investigating bishops
Vowing that clergy sex abuse should "never happen again," the Vatican on Thursday issued a sweeping set of new reforms aimed a revolutionizing how the Roman Catholic Church polices priests and holds members of its hierarchy accountable for failures to protect the faithful.
The new church laws, signed by Pope Francis, require dioceses worldwide ...Read more
5 highlights of Pope Francis' new reforms for handling clergy sex abuse
Pope Francis on Thursday issued a sweeping set of new Catholic Church laws aimed at better policing how the hierarchy investigates claims of clergy sex abuse and cover-up, marking his most concrete effort to date to respond to a crisis that has threatened to overwhelm his papacy. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Mandatory reporting
The new ...Read more
With sweeping new reforms, Vatican adopts most concrete steps to date to address sex abuse, investigating bishops
Vowing that clergy sex abuse should "never happen again," the Vatican on Thursday issued a sweeping set of new reforms aimed a revolutionizing how the Roman Catholic Church polices priests and holds members of its hierarchy accountable for failures to protect the faithful.
The new church laws, signed by Pope Francis, require dioceses worldwide ...Read more
Pope makes it compulsory for clergy to report sex abuse to superiors
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has issued a new law for the global Catholic Church that makes it compulsory for all clergy to report cases of child sex abuse or the covering up of such abuse to their superiors -- but not to civilian authorities.
The law is included in a "motu proprio" -- a papal document -- called "You are the light of the world,...Read more
Spiritual Life: There's reason for a 'witness' to important moments
There are certain events that require a "witness" -- someone to officially and accurately observe something so that they could tell about it later.
Marriage certificates usually require two witnesses to the ceremony binding two lives and souls (and possessions). Legal cases often depend on witnesses who saw and later testify to what happened (...Read more
Light Notes: It can't be happening. I'm turning into my mother
I'm turning into my mother. At least that's what my husband says.
"You're talking in your 'Edna voice' again," Bill said the other day, calling after me as I headed for the downstairs, the cat close on my heels.
"What's that supposed to mean!" I said, acting as if his words hadn't hit a nerve.
"You know, speaking with that high-pitched voice ...Read more
Will new criminal investigation expose church leaders in sex abuse scandal?
LOS ANGELES -- A new investigation into how the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and California's 11 other Roman Catholic dioceses handled sex abuse cases could uncover more disturbing details of misconduct and institutional failures. But it's an open question whether it would lead to more criminal charges.
News of the statewide investigation brought...Read more
Prosecutors investigating L.A. archdiocese's handling of sex abuse cases
LOS ANGELES -- The California attorney general's office will review how the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has handled sexual abuse allegations, including whether it followed mandatory reporting requirements to law enforcement, according to a letter reviewed by The Times.
The letter, dated Thursday, from Attorney General Xavier Becerra to ...Read more
Light Notes: Got clutter? I found the perfect solution for my 'closet'
Spring has sprung, and with it spring fever that has beckoned me to stay inside. Why, just the other day in a feverish pitch, I was bent on reorganizing and deep cleaning.
My closet came first.
In the winter-long darkness -- now exposed to a ray of mote-filled light instead of a dust-covered light bulb -- I made an appalling discovery. Spiders...Read more
United Methodist council upholds rules against gay clergy, marriage. Will the decision split the church?
CHICAGO -- When S.E. and Katie Brick joined a United Methodist congregation last year, the self-described "rainbow family" found the welcoming and diverse environment they were seeking in a religious home.
The Bricks' 9-year-old twins, Maggie and Jack, attend the children's ministry every Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Evanston and ...Read more
Philly's Muslim cabbies' ingenuity and community build a mosque at the airport
The words of the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, are identical wherever it is sung, in every country where Muslims worship.
"Hayya 'alas salah" is sung around the globe five times a day, including outside a construction trailer parked in a remote lot at Philadelphia International Airport by a city taxi driver, Sylla Salif. "Hayya 'alas salah...Read more
Spiritual Life: Machines aid hospital care, but the heart is people caring for people
There are a lot of machines in a modern hospital. Sophisticated and expensive, they can do remarkable things for people.
X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT scans) are but a few ways machines help us "see" inside a human body. There are pumps that support the heart, lungs and kidneys. There are surgical ...Read more
Pastor challenges SC megachurch preacher who bought Lamborghini to give up possessions
On Easter Sunday, a pastor from Washington, D.C., took to social media to issue a challenge: give up one possession each week or each month.
"We want to detach from all the materialism that kind of takes our focus away from Jesus and begin to give more liberally," he tweeted.
Pastor Jomo Johnson's first nomination for what he's calling #...Read more
As Good Friday and Passover meet this year, interfaith families receive double blessings
They were on a date at the Gusman Theater in downtown Miami when May Cain, raised in Reform Judaism, suddenly asked Bill Snihur, a Catholic, during intermission if religion would be a problem for their relationship.
"No," he answered immediately.
"Neither of us requested the other to convert to the other´s religion," said Cain. Her husband ...Read more
The spirit houses of Bangkok keep watch over a frenetic modern city
BANGKOK, Thailand -- In the shadows of Bangkok's glinting high-rises, the plazas of sprawling shopping malls and the cozy courtyards of simpler neighborhoods sit countless tiny monuments to Thais' enduring belief in the supernatural.
These miniature shrines, perched on pedestals and topped with sloping roofs, are known as spirit houses. ...Read more
Light Notes: My Easter list should have been longer with this at the top
There's an item I've added to my Easter list, something that should have been at the top. That moment of realization came one morning when I paused for thought -- and added this prayer.
"Hi, Father, It's me again. Seems like I'm always coming to you with something.
What? That's what you're here for? Well, thanks for reminding me that no matter...Read more
Popular Stories
- Pa. Catholic Conference to abuse survivor: 'Why do you have to troll here?'
- With sweeping new reforms, Vatican adopts most concrete steps to date to address sex abuse, investigating bishops
- Fort Worth seminary removes stained-glass honoring conservative Southern Baptist leaders
- Ramadan fasting can conflict with diabetes and other medical concerns
- Is God really only calling single, celibate men to the priesthood?' Why two men left
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