HARARE, Zimbabwe (RNS/ENInews) — Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has asked Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to intervene to stop attacks on Anglicans by allies of an excommunicated bishop who has seized church property and intimidated clergy and worshippers. The leader of…
Conservatives rally around N.Y. clerk over same-sex marriages
LEDYARD, N.Y. (RNS) — A conservative Christian group is behind a new YouTube video that features a town clerk explaining why she believes she should not have to comply with a state law and issue same-sex marriage licenses. Ledyard Town Clerk…
Charges dropped against clergy who prayed in Capitol
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A city court on Oct. 11 dropped charges against a group of religious and civic leaders who were arrested in July during a prayer vigil for the poor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The vigil, held at the…
Under pressure, D.C. shelter ends church-service requirement
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Prompted by civil liberties groups, a taxpayer-supported homeless shelter in the nation’s capital will no longer require its clients to attend religious services. “We’re pleased that the D.C. government will no longer be supporting such religious coercion,” said…
Vatican treads carefully on Egyptian violence
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Treading carefully on a subject that has proved diplomatically volatile for the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI lamented the Oct. 9 killing of two dozen Christian protesters in Egypt. “I am profoundly saddened by the episodes of violence…
Law would allow marriage to Catholics for U.K. royals
(RNS) — Future British kings and queens would be permitted to marry Catholics for the first time in more than three centuries under reforms proposed by British Prime Minister David Cameron. Writing to his fellow heads of government in the British…
Michigan lawmakers say funeral protest law too broad
LANSING, Mich. (RNS) – There’s a difference between a boisterous protest near a veteran’s funeral and an anti-war bumper sticker on a car parked near a funeral home — but not in the eyes of Michigan state law. A state Senate…
Report says tithing, church spending hit record low
(RNS) — Tithing to mainline Protestant churches as a percentage of income is at its lowest level in at least 41 years, according to a new report, and churches are keeping a greater share of those donations for their own…
Obama hosts first evangelical summit at White House
(RNS) — President Obama formally extended his ear to evangelicals ahead of the 2012 election, meeting with top leaders of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) in the White House for about 30 minutes on Oct. 12. International religious freedom was…
New face of American poverty is often a child's
OAKTOWN, Ind. (RNS) — Eleven-year-old Sarai Camacho of Donna, Texas, tears up when she tells why her mother let go the baby sitter for her and her younger sister this summer. It’s the same reason her father brought the family…
Study: Religion can affect your soul — and your wallet
(RNS) — Religion may not only save your soul, according to a new book, but could also have a real impact on your financial well-being. New research from “Faith and Money: How Religion Contributes to Wealth and Poverty” suggests that mainline…
'Family Shield' radio program expands
“Family Shield,” a weekly Christian radio program produced by Family Shield Ministries, St. Louis, expanded in September to 49 stations in 25 states. The program was previously carried on four stations and Internet/satellite sites. The 15-year-old program — formerly an…
Marriage, weddings are focus of sem conference
Concordia Theological Seminary’s Good Shepherd Institute will take an in-depth look at marriage and weddings at its Nov. 6-8 conference, “What God Has Joined Together: The Theology and Practice of Christian Marriage in Rite and Song.” “This conference is the…
CTCR hears presentations on immigration issues
The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) met Sept. 15-19 in El Paso, Texas — first for its regular quarterly meeting and then for an expanded “Consultation on Immigration Issues.” At the consultation, the CTCR heard presentations from…
'Legacy, Leadership Symposium,' webcast set for Oct. 21
Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas, and the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA) are co-sponsoring a “Symposium on Legacy and Leadership” Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The “Wendish Heritage Week” event — which also will be…
World Vision wins employee faith case
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear a case involving three employees who were fired by the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision, allowing the relief group to maintain its mandatory statement of faith for its workers. World Vision…
