Religion & Social Welfare News
November 20, 2009 - The Washington Post
D.C. officials press for compromise on Catholic Charities
Some D.C. Council members and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton are reaching out to the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington to see whether they can find a compromise so the Church will not end its social services contracts with the city if the council legalizes same-sex marriage.
November 20, 2009 - The New York Times
Faith and tolerance collide in Vallejo
Drive through Vallejo and you will see a once-proud Navy town clearly down on its luck. A motel room goes for $30.99 a night, including HBO.
November 20, 2009 - The Associated Press
Abortion dispute with Catholic bishops could hinder Obama's health care bill in Senate
The White House is on a collision course with Catholic bishops in an intractable dispute over abortion that could blow up the fragile political coalition behind President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
November 11, 2009 - The Washington Post
Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.
November 11, 2009 - Chicago Tribune
DuPage County evangelical churches struggle with immigration debate
At Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church, where most members are Chinese immigrants, the Rev. Benjamin Tzeng counsels members of the congregation on helping others and being a light in the community.
October 22, 2009 - NPR
Faith-Based Council Produces Muslim Celebrity
RENEE MONTAGNE, host: In the early days of his presidency, Barack Obama appointed 25 people to advise him on faith issues.
October 14, 2009 - The Washington Post
The president's faith council meets
I told a friend that I was off to DC this week for the third meeting of the President's Faith Council, and I got a chuckle and a snide comment in return: "So what do you do after meditating together and trading spiritual insights?" he asked.
October 14, 2009 - The Forward
Faith-based reform veers into Israeli policy
A task force charged with improving the White House’s faith-based initiative program has waded into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raising eyebrows and concern among Jewish leaders.
October 13, 2009 - The Washington Post
Obama's faith-based council sticks to middle ground
The first effort of President Obama's new faith advisory council sidesteps some of the most contentious issues, including what kind of lengths faith-based social service groups need to go in order to separate government work from proselytizing and whether supporting same-sex parents means recognizing gay marriage.
October 13, 2009 - USA Today
Poll: In bad times, folks find ways to help
As the recession deepened, more Americans volunteered their time to churches and other religious charities.
