The Old Catholics, a movement of European churches that retained many Roman Catholic practices and teachings while opposing papal authority, appear to be moving toward Protestantism, particularly the Anglican church. The current issue of the conservative journal Touchstone (January/February) reports that the issue of women’s ordination is moving the various Old Catholic (OC) churches away from their […]

The reluctance and silence in addressing issues relating to AIDS in many black churches is changing with the emergence of special ministries dealing with the disease in African-American congregations and denominations, reports Sojourners magazine (March/April). Issues surrounding AIDS, such as homosexuality and drug use, were often seen as problems beyond the walls of the church, write Marion […]

Starting within the Jewish and Christian  communities in Los Angeles, a fresh initiative to bring disabled persons into full participation in congregations is spreading across the country. Headed by The Arc (formerly Association of Retarded Citizens), thousands of copies of materials for Sabbath Sunday worship are being distributed. According to the Los Angeles Times (March 6), the Arc and […]

For several years, the Vatican and U.S. bishops have called for a reassertion Roman Catholic identity and teachings at Catholic colleges and universities, but they may not have to worry much about it. Catholic schools are re-emphasizing their identities as they discover  that these qualities are marketable, reports the National Catholic Register (March 21-27). “In general education circles, […]

Givers to religious causes are receiving gifts and other perks by religious fund-raisers — a practice that is drawing criticism from theologians and ethicists. The Wall Street Journal (March 10) reports that religious fund-raisers and prominent ministries have taken a page from secular charities that award finacial donors with gifts of anything from plaques with their names […]

Religion doesn’t figure highly in history or the news judging by a list ranking “the Top l00 Stories of the  Century.” The list project was sponsored by Newseum of Arlington, Va, and was compiled by 67 journalists and scholars  As pointed out by Charles C. Haynes, director of the First Amendment Center, only seven of these stories […]

North American teenage girls are increasingly drawn to witchcraft, though observers are uncertain whether this is a teen fad or actually a matter of genuine spiritual interest. The Toronto Sun newspaper (March 22) reports that television shows and movies depicting witchcraft or “wicca” such as Charmed, Sabrina and The Craft are appealing to youth, particularly girls. “In […]