The Columbian

Churches & Religion

Survey: Religious Americans keep faith amid secularization

November 7, 2015, 6:00am Churches & Religion

NEW YORK -- A survey released Tuesday brought some good news for faith leaders alarmed by the spike in the number of Americans who say they have no ties to a particular religion. Read story

Prayer has gone on nonstop since 1878

November 7, 2015, 5:59am Churches & Religion

A group of Wisconsin nuns say their order has been praying nonstop for hundreds of thousands of people for the past 137 years. Read story

Reform Jews approve transgender plan

November 7, 2015, 5:43am Churches & Religion

The largest movement of Judaism in the U.S. passed the most far-reaching resolution in support of transgender rights of any major religious organization, saying Thursday that it's a continuation of a tradition of inclusion in the Reform Jewish movement. Read story

Members of the Mormons Building Bridges march June 2, 2013, during the Utah Gay Pride Parade in Salt Lake City. Gay and lesbian Mormons and their supporters are reeling over a rule change by church officials that says members in same-sex marriages can be kicked out, and bars their children from being baptized unless they disavow same-sex relationships. The changes in the church handbook were sent out Thursday to local church leaders around the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesman Eric Hawkins said in a statement Friday the revisions reiterate church opposition to gay marriage.

Mormon rule changes aimed at gays send advocates reeling

November 6, 2015, 11:58am Churches & Religion

SALT LAKE CITY -- Gay and lesbian Mormons and their supporters are reeling over a rule change by church officials that says members in same-sex marriages can be kicked out and their children are to be barred from being baptized unless they disavow homosexual relationships. Read story

Turists ride camels at the historical site of the Giza Pyramids in Giza, near Cairo, Egypt. Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says it?s still his belief the great pyramids Egypt were built by the Biblical figure Joseph to store grain, and not as tombs for pharaohs.

Carson: Pyramids in Egypt built by Biblical figure Joseph

November 5, 2015, 12:22pm Churches & Religion

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says it's still his belief the great pyramids Egypt were built by the Biblical figure Joseph to store grain, and not as tombs for pharaohs. Read story

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer he celebrated from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican on Sunday.

Vatican scandal heats up with revelations of greed, intrigue

November 3, 2015, 10:36am Churches & Religion

Two new books are deepening a Vatican scandal with tales of mismanagement and greed, such as sainthood causes that can cost a half-million dollars and one monsignor allegedly breaking down the wall of his next-door neighbor -- a sick, elderly priest -- to expand his already palatial apartment. Read story

Vatican arrests 2 in latest probe of leaked documents

November 2, 2015, 6:56pm Churches & Religion

The Vatican said Monday it had arrested a high-ranking priest and another member of a papal reform commission in an investigation into leaked confidential documents — a stunning move that comes just days before the publication of two books promising damaging revelations about the obstacles Pope Francis faces in cleaning… Read story

Kayla Baker, left, helps her daughter Samona Samoeun, 2, drink hot chocolate at the Winter Hospitality Overflow shelter at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Orchards. The shelter houses women, couples and families with children.

Winter overflow family shelter opening tonight, already full

November 2, 2015, 10:38am Churches & Religion

The Winter Hospitality Overflow shelter for homeless families, women and couples at St. Andrew Lutheran Church had a waiting list before the doors even opened Monday evening. The overnight shelter at the Orchards church off Northeast Gher Road can house up to 50 people. Read story

Gianluigi Nuzzi, the investigative journalist who published a book of leaked papal documents, during an interview with the Associate Press, in Rome. A new book about the Vatican by Nuzzi is due out on the Italian bookstores Nov. 5.

Vatican arrests 2 people in latest probe of leaked documents

November 2, 2015, 10:13am Churches & Religion

VATICAN CITY -- A Spanish priest and an Italian laywoman who had served on a financial reform commission set up by Pope Francis have been arrested in the probe into yet another leak of confidential information and documents, the Vatican said Monday. Read story