Religion and Faith

Justices due to deliver birth control ruling
The Obama administration says insurance coverage for birth control is important to women's health and reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies, as well as abortions. Dozens of companies, including the Oklahoma City-based arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby, claim religious objections to covering some or all contraceptives.
Judge orders more questioning of ex-archdiocese official in sex abuse case
Ramsey County Judge John Van de North ordered a former Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis vicar general, the Rev. Kevin McDonough, to sit for another deposition in a clergy sexual abuse case.
The Archdiocese of Seattle said Tuesday it has agreed to pay $12.1 million to settle 30 sexual abuse claims filed by men who say they were abused decades ago at two archdiocesan schools operated by the Christian Brothers religious order. The claims involved O'Dea High School in Seattle and the Briscoe School, a boarding and day school for boys in suburban Kent.
Abusive priest not closely monitored by archdiocese
The Rev. Jerome Kern testified that he would grab boys while swimming or wrestling. He said he didn't consider it to be sexual abuse at the time — and that no one from the archdiocese told him it was harmful or illegal. "I was always a teaser, and I liked to tease, you know."
Winona diocese releases priest abuse details
The diocese's latest release also details how the church responded to the allegations, most of which took place decades ago. Many priests were referred to counseling and treatment programs. Few faced criminal investigations.
Mendota priest resigns from parish after board review; deacon steps aside
A Mendota priest has resigned from his parish after a Clergy Review Board reviewed a 1998 incident in which the priest allegedly touched a 17-year-old boy. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said a second priest is stepping aside temporarily while a sex abuse investigation is reopened.
Runner-up religions in US states
Glance at this map, "Second Largest Religious Tradition in Each State 2010," and you will see that Buddhism (orange), Judaism (pink) and Islam (blue) are the runner-up religions across the country.No surprises there. But did you know that Hindu (dark orange) is the No. 2 tradition in Arizona and Delaware, and that Baha'i (green) ranks second in South Carolina?
Pope to mob: You're out of the family
Pope Francis traveled to the heart of a mafia stronghold in Italy on Saturday and told mobsters that they are not part of the church.
In a separate policy change that takes effect at the end of this week's meeting, delegates voted to allow ministers to preside at gay weddings in states where the unions are legal and local congregational leaders approve. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage.
Largest U.S. Presbyterian denomination votes to allow marriage for gay couples
The top legislative body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted at its 221 st General Assembly in Detroit to change the way it defines Christian marriage in its constitution from "a man and a woman," to "two people."