The Columbian

Churches & Religion

Thomas M. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arrives at the two-day Mormon church conference in Salt Lake City on April 1. Mormon officials said Monson is no longer coming to meetings at church offices regularly because of limitations related to his age. Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in a statement that Monson communicates with fellow leaders on matters as needed.

Mormon president scales back duties

May 27, 2017, 6:06am Churches & Religion

Mormon President Thomas S. Monson is no longer coming to meetings at church offices regularly because of limitations related to his age, church officials said Tuesday. Read story

These seminarians released an album, “Requiem,” on May 12, singing a traditional Latin funeral Mass.

Young priests’ chants become best-selling album

May 27, 2017, 6:06am Churches & Religion

At the sound of a tap, dozens of young men clad in black cassocks and white surplices rise from kneeling positions to watch two of their brother priests begin a chant. Read story

Pope Francis shakes hands with first lady Melania Trump on the occasion of their private audience, at the Vatican on Wednesday.

Melania Trump confirms she is Catholic

May 27, 2017, 6:05am Churches & Religion

After she met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday, first lady Melania Trump confirmed a little-known fact about her faith: She is Catholic. And she described the visit with the leader of the global Catholic Church as “one I’ll never forget.” Read story

Pope makes 2 Fatima children saints on centenary of visions

May 13, 2017, 3:25pm Churches & Religion

Pope Francis added two Portuguese shepherd children to the roster of Catholic saints Saturday, honoring young siblings whose reported visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago turned the Portuguese farm town of Fatima into one of the world’s most important Catholic shrines. Read story

Pope acknowledges 2,000-case backlog in sex abuse cases

May 13, 2017, 2:39pm Churches & Religion

Pope Francis acknowledged Saturday that the Vatican has a 2,000-case backlog in processing clerical sex abuse cases and says criticism of the slow pace was justified. But he says more staff are being added and insists the Vatican is “on the right path.” Read story

Bible is the focus of new museum

May 13, 2017, 6:00am Churches & Religion

With a subject sacred and central to diverse faiths, the Museum of the Bible aims to appeal to religions of all kinds, and to those who don’t believe in any. Read story

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Despite the increasing number of non-religious people in the U.S., many atheists are private about their views for fear of being judged by coworkers or family.

Number of U.S. atheists growing

May 13, 2017, 5:50am Churches & Religion

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Josh Stewart differs from most atheists. He’ll tell you there is no God. Read story

Pope Francis greets a child as he arrives at the Monte Real Air Base in Leiria, Portugal, Friday, May 12, 2017. Pope Francis will canonize on Saturday in Fatima two poor, illiterate shepherd children whose visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago marked one of the most important events of the 20th-century Catholic Church.

Pope in Fatima to honor simple children who changed church

May 12, 2017, 10:11am Churches & Religion

FATIMA, Portugal -- Pope Francis and pilgrims from around the world are flocking to a Catholic shrine town in Portugal to honor two poor, illiterate shepherd children whose visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago marked one of the most important events of the 20th-century Catholic Church. Read story

Interfaith breakfast set for May 18

May 12, 2017, 6:03am Churches & Religion

Creating sanctuary, enkindling hope is the theme of this year's Interfaith Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Interfaith Coalition of Southwest Washington. Read story