BETHESDA, Md. (RNS) — The number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation has hit an all-time high — about one in five American adults — according to a new study released Oct. 9 by the Pew Forum…
Pope's butler sentenced to 18 months for leaking papers
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A Vatican court Oct. 6 sentenced Pope Benedict XVI’s former butler to 18 months in jail for stealing the pontiff’s private papers and leaking them to the press. The butler, Paolo Gabriele, stood motionless as the tribunal’s…
Oregon dentist fined for pressuring employee about Scientology
BEND, Ore. (RNS) — State labor officials have ordered a dentist to pay nearly $348,000 to settle allegations that he threatened to fire a dental assistant unless she attended a Scientology-related training session. The Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) contends…
Pope convenes bishops to confront 'tsunami' of secularism
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Fifty years after the Second Vatican Council revolutionized life inside the Roman Catholic Church, hundreds of bishops from around the world are gathered in Rome to confront an external threat: a mounting tide of secularization. The Synod…
Senske named to national schools commission
Dr. Al H. Senske of St. Louis is providing a Lutheran education viewpoint as a member of the new Commission on Faith-based Schools organized by the American Center for School Choice, San Mateo, Calif.The commission, which met for the first…
CPH offers new book about Reformation
Inside the Reformation: The Times That Changed the World, new from Concordia Publishing House, takes readers of all ages on a visual journey through the life and times of the Reformation.With full-color photos and illustrations on every one of its…
Canada cuts all non-Christian prison chaplains
TORONTO (RNS) — The Canadian government is canceling the contracts of all non-Christian chaplains at federal prisons. By next spring, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and other non-Christian inmates will be expected to turn to Christian prison chaplains for religious counsel and guidance. In…
Pope tells SSPX traditionalists they must accept Second Vatican Council
(RNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has reportedly told the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) that they must accept the Second Vatican Council, a move that might seal the fate of years of negotiations to bring the group fully…
Registration opens Nov. 1 for Higher Things conferences
Online registration opens Nov. 1 at www.fromabove2013.org for three 2013 Higher Things conferences for Lutheran youth that will offer nearly identical programs in different locations and over separate dates. They are set for June 25-28 at the University of Scranton in…
'LWML Sunday' may be celebrated anytime
Although the first Sunday in October — Oct. 7 this year — is the traditional day to celebrate “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday,” congregations may mark the special observance on any Sunday. “LWML Sunday” sample packets were mailed to all LCMS…
Poll: Most Americans don't think Scientology is a religion
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Most Americans do not believe Scientology is a real religion, according to a recent poll by “60 Minutes” and Vanity Fair. The survey, conducted by CBS News, found that 70 percent of Americans say that Scientology is not…
ENInews suspends service, seeks further funding
(RNS/ENInews) — Ecumenical News International (ENI) announced Oct. 1 that its ENInews service is suspending operations, effective immediately, as it seeks emergency funding in order to operate for the remainder of 2012. “We regret taking this step, but despite a…
More missionaries needed worldwide this year
By Joe Isenhower Jr. and Paula Schlueter Ross Of the 165 positions and requests for LCMS missionaries available worldwide this year, only about half have been filled, according to the Rev. Dr. David Birner, interim executive director of the Synod’s Office…
Golter accepts call to direct International Mission office
The Rev. Randall L. Golter of Highlands Ranch, Colo., has accepted a call to serve as the first executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission. He plans to begin work in the post Oct. 25, when he will…
New LHM documentary debuts Sept. 30
“The Intersection of Church & State,” an hourlong documentary produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM), will debut Sunday, Sept. 30, on the Fox Business Network as paid programming at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. (Check listings for local times.) The program, which…
Survey: Syrian rebels seek Islamic democracy
(RNS) — Members of the Syrian opposition generally want a democratic government that protects the rights of minorities, though many also want a constitution based on Islam, according to a recent survey. Their aspirations are important because the Obama administration has…
