Religion News on the Web
Selected religion-related news from around the Web
March 15, 2013
- The Washington Post
Wash. Post: Md. Assembly votes to repeal death penalty
The Maryland legislature voted Friday to abolish the death penalty, which would make the state the sixth in as many years to end capital punishment and add to a canon of liberal policies recently embraced by state leaders.
March 14, 2013
- The Wall Street Journal
WSJ: For Roberts, gay rights a defining moment
Chief Justice John Roberts preserved one of President Barack Obama's main legacies—and helped forge his own—by largely upholding the president's health-care law last year. Now, the two leaders' places in history are entwined again, as the Supreme Court prepares to hear two gay-marriage cases later this month.
March 14, 2013
- The Washington Post
Wash. Post: Bergoglio tested by Argentine leaders
While Jorge Mario Bergoglio served a higher authority as a Catholic shepherd in this cosmopolitan capital, he was also tested by more earthly powers: Argentine governments.
March 13, 2013
- The New York Times
NYT: Obama appoints church-state law expert to head faith-based office
As the world watched the Vatican for an announcement of a new leader for the Roman Catholic faithful, the White House quietly made a leadership appointment of its own on Wednesday, to the office responsible for outreach to religious organizations: Melissa Rogers will be the new director of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
March 11, 2013
- The Associated Press
AP: R.I. gay marriage bill may hinge on religious clause
Maria Valente and Andrea Bond were married in Massachusetts four years ago by a justice of the peace. The East Providence women insist they are just like any other couple raising three children. But a few years ago, when Bond had surgery in Rhode Island, they found out not everyone agrees
March 11, 2013
- The New York Times
NYT: Arkansas's abortion ban and one man's strong will
The adoption by Arkansas last week of the country’s strictest abortion ban — at 12 weeks of pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat is typically detected — gave a new jolt of energy to a loose band of abortion foes who are pushing similar measures in several states.
March 08, 2013
- The New York Times
NYT: Pope material or not, a charming, cheerful cardinal gains notice in Rome
He keeps a set of vestments here, at the American seminary, so he does not have to lug the red robes back and forth to New York. He is a practiced frequent flier; last fall, he flew a round trip in a day, borrowing a billionaire’s jet so he could preside at a dinner in Manhattan without missing a meeting in Rome.
March 07, 2013
- The New York Times
NY Times: The Orthodox surge
In Midwood, Brooklyn, there’s a luxury kosher grocery store called Pomegranate serving the modern Orthodox and Hasidic communities. It looks like a really nice Whole Foods. There’s a wide selection of kosher cheeses from Italy and France, wasabi herring, gluten-free ritual foods and nicely toned wood flooring.
March 06, 2013
- The Baltimore Sun
Balt. Sun: Md. Senate votes to repeal death penalty
The Maryland Senate voted Wednesday to make Maryland the 18th state to abolish the death penalty, putting Gov. Martin O'Malley one step closer to a significant legislative victory.
March 05, 2013
- The Associated Press
AP: Americans control conclave message just by talking
The two American cardinals sat on the stage,
microphones in hand, fielding questions from the world's news media on
everything from the delayed arrival of some of their colleagues to their
own wardrobe choices if elected pope.
March 04, 2013
- The Associated Press
AP: Ark. Gov. Beebe vetoes 12-week abortion ban
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday vetoed
what would have been the most restrictive abortion ban in the nation,
telling lawmakers that outlawing the procedure as early as 12 weeks into
a pregnancy would be unconstitutional.