VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The number of Catholics in the world edged up 1 percent in 2009, the Vatican said, bringing to 1.18 billion the number of adherents of the world’s largest church. The statistics appear in the latest edition…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Catholic bishops and Christian medical groups are “disappointed” that the Obama administration has rescinded Bush-era conscience clauses for health care workers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Feb. 18 issued its new guidelines,…

(RNS) — For the third time in three years President Obama’s proposed budget will attempt to reduce tax deductions for high-end charitable donors, and for the third time nonprofits and religious organizations are pushing back. Many religious nonprofits, which supplement…

(RNS) — Get ready for more undernourished infants, dangerously cold homes and disease-stricken communities in developing countries if proposed federal budget cuts become law. That’s the message coming from left-leaning religious advocacy groups, who’ve been rallying supporters and blanketing Capitol…

By Linda C. Hoops Preparations for the 2017 celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation were among topics discussed at the Feb. 17-19 meeting of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR).  A 2007 convention resolution (Res. 3-02)…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. ST. LOUIS — At their Feb. 4-5 meeting here, the Synod’s Board for International Mission (BIM) and Board for National Mission (BNM) decided that a “theological foundation” preface to their policy manuals will be based on…

Concordia University Wisconsin will host a weekend celebration marking 50 years of lay ministry training June 17-19 on its campus in Mequon, Wis. “Unity in Purpose — Diversity in Service” will offer opportunities for participants to “remember the five decades…

By Kim Plummer Krull In case of turbulence during a flight, passengers who are caregivers are told to put on their oxygen masks first so they can assist others. Similar advice comes from Grace Place Lutheran Wellness Ministries Executive Director…

ROBERT E. BOEHNE, Surprise, Ariz., and JEFFREY M. DIRE, Woodridge, Ill., have applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  REBECCA LIVO-BUESANZ, Sterling, Colo., has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Commissioned roster…

The following institutions of the Concordia University System are seeking candidates for positions: Concordia College–New York, Bronxville, N.Y., seeks to fill the following positions: dean for Special Education; Early Childhood Education; assistant director of Student Life; head athletic trainer. Concordia…

Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase.  Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Available Silver plate communion trays (two) in good…

Higher Things — an LCMS Recognized Service Organization — is holding three retreats in March, including its first-ever in Canada. Starting with their titles and in chronological order, the retreats are: “Invocation: A Higher Things Day Retreat,” March 5 at Living Word…

President Rev. Robert Erickson of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ) is asking fellow Lutherans to join in a day of prayer on Sunday, Feb. 27, for those affected by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck on Tuesday, Feb. 22. There…

TORONTO (RNS) — The mayor of a Quebec town says he will appeal a decision by a human rights tribunal that bans prayer at city council and ordered him to remove a crucifix from the council’s chambers. Saguenay Mayor Jean…

CAIRO (RNS) — In Magdi Shnouda’s cafe in Cairo, pictures of Jesus and the saints hang on the shabby walls, and the men playing backgammon and dominoes are a mixture of Christians and Muslims. Sucking down glasses of sweet tea…