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Religion and Faith

Police to review priest's hard drive for pornography

Police to review priest's hard drive for pornography

Joe Ternus of Hugo says he reached out to St. Paul police today to tell them that he made a copy of a large part of the Rev. Jonathan Shelley's computer hard drive before he turned over the laptop to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Ternus said he had forgotten he had made a copy of Shelley's hard drive until MPR News contacted him earlier this week.
by Tom Scheck

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Snake-handling preachers open up about 'takin' up serpents'

Snake handlers dwell at the edge of the spiritual frontier -- a community of people who are willing to die for their faith three times a week in church. Members of the Pentecostal Holiness Church take up venomous serpents to prove their faith in God. The practice is still widespread in Appalachia, though mostly hidden.

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Church hid priest's pornography from police and parishioners for nearly a decade

Church hid priest's pornography from police and parishioners for nearly a decade

Leaders in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis confiscated pornography -- some of which might have portrayed children -- from the Rev. Jonathan Shelley's old laptop. But they didn't report it for nearly a decade, until a church official found it and, frustrated with her superiors' lack of response, went to police herself.

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Laird, top deputy of archdiocese, resigns

Laird, top deputy of archdiocese, resigns

"I am hopeful my decision to step aside at this time, along with the formation of a new task force can help repair the trust of many, especially the victims of abuse," the Rev. Peter Laird said in a prepared statement. He will continue to serve in a variety of roles within the archdiocese.
by Madeleine Baran and Rupa Shenoy

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Imams denounce al-Shabab in Friday prayer services

Imams denounce al-Shabab in Friday prayer services

There has been no official confirmation connecting the attackers to Minnesota, where U.S. authorities say al-Shabab has recruited about two dozen fighters to the Horn of Africa. Even so, imams in the Twin Cities say they have a responsibility to speak up.
by Laura Yuen

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Evolution dispute scraps New Ulm play

Evolution dispute scraps New Ulm play

Thanks to Martin Luther College, there'll be no production of the play "Inherit the Wind" by the New Ulm Actors Community Theatre.
by Bob Collins

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Celibacy expert says Wehmeyer was giving 'danger signals'

Celibacy expert says Wehmeyer was giving 'danger signals'

Counselor calls sexual activity by Catholic clergy "very, very common."

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County prosecutor 'troubled' by archdiocese's handling of clergy abuse case

County prosecutor 'troubled' by archdiocese's handling of clergy abuse case

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi says he's looking into findings from a Monday MPR News investigation that shows Catholic Church leaders did not tell parishioners of the Rev. Curtis Wehmeyer's sexual addiction and past misconduct.
by Tom Scheck and Madeleine Baran

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