RS News Worldwide

Kennedy dispute reveals divide among Catholics (AP) 2009-11-23 00:31

AP - A bitter dispute over abortion that prompted Rhode Island's Roman Catholic bishop to ask Rep. Patrick Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion has revealed the depth of the divide among Catholics over how politicians should reconcile their faith with their public duties.

JFK's nephew barred from communion: report (AFP) 2009-11-22 15:59

AFP - The nephew of ex-president John F. Kennedy, a US lawmaker, has been barred from receiving communion at his Catholic church due to his support for abortion rights, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Taliban suffocate Pakistan Buddhist heritage (AFP) 2009-11-21 22:57

AFP - Archaeologists warn that the Taliban are destroying Pakistan's ancient Gandhara heritage and rich Buddhist legacy as pilgrimage and foreign research dries up in the country's northwest.

Atheist student groups flower on college campuses (AP) 2009-11-21 22:12

AP - The sign sits propped on a wooden chair, inviting all comers: "Ask an Atheist."

Pope and Anglican leader agree on closer relations (AP) 2009-11-21 11:29

AP - After offering a home in his church to disaffected Anglicans, Pope Benedict XVI assured the archbishop of Canterbury on Saturday that he is still committed to seeking closer relations between Catholics and Anglicans.

Russian Orthodox priest shot dead in Moscow church (AP) 2009-11-20 02:24

AP - A gunman killed a Russian Orthodox priest in his Moscow church and seriously wounded the reverend's assistant, officials said Friday.

AP Exclusive: Muslim countries seek blasphemy ban (AP) 2009-11-19 14:56

AP - Four years after cartoons of the prophet Muhammad set off violent protests across the Muslim world, Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to protect religious symbols and beliefs from mockery — essentially a ban on blasphemy that would put them on a collision course with free speech laws in the West.

Afghan official said to take bribe for copper deal (AP) 2009-11-18 20:06

AP - A senior Afghan official allegedly took a $20 million bribe to steer a copper mining project to a Chinese company, a glaring example of the claims of corruption clouding the Obama administration's deliberations over expanding the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan.

Bishops discuss authority over Catholic colleges (AP) 2009-11-18 10:07

AP - Fallout continues from the summer controversy over the University of Notre Dame awarding an honorary degree to President Barack Obama, who supports abortion rights.

'Holy hip-hop' trying to break into mainstream (AP) 2009-11-18 08:38

AP - Terverius Black believes in hip-hop gospel so much he sold his first home to get the money needed to start his Christian-themed entertainment company.

Religion News in Brief (AP) 2009-11-18 07:04

AP - Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard said he will continue to hold weekly prayer meetings at his home, three years after he was ousted from the church he founded amid a scandal involving a male prostitute and drug use.

Pope prays for all kids on UN rights anniversary (AP) 2009-11-18 04:40

AP - Pope Benedict XVI called Wednesday for greater international efforts to ensure basic human rights for children, saying he was praying for all young people who suffer.

In WA, old mining town elects a Muslim mayor (AP) 2009-11-17 15:57

AP - Granite Falls residents are suspicious of any newcomers, let alone a Muslim native of Pakistan who moved to this rugged, blue-collar mining town to open his own bar.

Catholic bishops say gay marriage hurts society (AP) 2009-11-17 12:41

AP - The nation's Roman Catholic bishops have affirmed that the church defines marriage between one man and one woman, and sex is meant for procreation.

NJ teen barred from abortion protest sues school (AP) 2009-11-17 12:17

AP - A New Jersey high school student claims in a federal lawsuit that school administrators violated her First Amendment free-speech and religious-freedom rights when they said she couldn't participate in a day of silent protest against abortion.