VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Following a yearlong investigation into decades of rampant abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, the Vatican on March 20 called for more rigorous screening of would-be priests and compulsory child-protection classes in seminaries. Pope Benedict…
Pressure Points (April 2012)
With Dr. Bruce Hartung The last two columns related to spiritual warfare elicited a number of different reflections on ways that readers have fought in this battle, as well as suggestions they offer as encouragement for others. To read February’s…
Positions (April 2012)
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, currently is engaged in a search for a director of Library Services. The seminary serves the Church and world by providing theological education and leadership, centered in the Gospel, to form pastors, deaconesses, missionaries and leaders…
Letters to the Editor (April 2012)
Defending freedom I am a Lutheran and I am so proud of our President Matthew Harrison. He spoke clearly and strongly in defense of our religious liberty. I believe government should defend people’s freedom, not attack it. I am very…
Official Notice — 2013 Synod Convention (April 2012)
The 65th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod will be held July 20-25, 2013, at the America’s Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, Mo. Election of Voting Delegates Bylaws 3.1.2-3.1.2.2 [2010 Handbook, pp. 99-101] set forth the provisions governing official…
Items wanted, available (April 2012)
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. Notices may be sent to Jennifer Duffy at…
Call for nominations — college president (April 2012)
Concordia College–New York, Bronxville, N.Y., seeks nominations for the position of president. The president is the chief executive officer of the college and serves as the college’s spiritual, academic and administrative head. The official functions of the office of the…
Karner draws cheers for religious liberty in Missouri Capitol
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner drew multiple standing ovations when she spoke at the “Rally for Religious Liberty” March 27 at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. “It was great seeing all these people…
Pinick to begin service in Shanghai post in July
Gregg A. Pinick, executive director of Orange Lutheran High School, Orange, Calif., will begin serving July 1 as head of school at Concordia International School Shanghai (CISS) in Shanghai, China. The 13-year-old CISS — which provides a Christian education to the…
Volunteers, LCMS grant aid cleanup after Michigan twister
By Kim Plummer Krull One week after an EF3 tornado hit southeastern Michigan, the Rev. Larry Courson and members of Peace Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, Mich., were busy coordinating volunteers to tackle a second weekend of cleanup in the hard-hit suburb…
Judge rules for breakaway church in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — Wading into sensitive church-state territory, a Missouri judge has ruled in favor of an independent-minded Catholic church that claims ownership of its property and autonomy from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Judge Bryan Hettenbach’s 50-page ruling in…
Jews are the world's most migratory religious group
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Ever since their mad dash out of Egypt bound for the Promised Land, Jews have been on the move — and they continue to be, far more than any other religious group, according to a new study. One…
Harold Camping: May 21 prediction was 'incorrect, sinful'
(RNS) — Radio evangelist Harold Camping has called his erroneous prediction that the world would end last May 21 an “incorrect and sinful statement” and said his ministry is out of the prediction business. “We have learned the very painful lesson…
Hate crimes law used to prosecute Amish beard attacks
CLEVELAND (RNS) — A pair of scissors transported across state lines has emerged as a controversial element in Ohio’s first case under a landmark 2009 federal law that expanded government powers to prosecute hate crimes. The case involves a dozen members…
White House proposal gives religious groups more say in birth control mandate
(RNS) — The Obama administration is offering to expand the number of faith-based groups that can be exempt from the controversial contraception mandate, and proposing that third-party companies administer coverage for self-insured faith-based groups at no cost. At its heart, the…
Pope Benedict denounces cultural shift toward gay marriage in U.S.
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Benedict XVI on March 9 denounced the “powerful political and cultural currents” that are working to “alter the legal definition of marriage” in the United States. The pope’s condemnation of same-sex marriage came in an address…
