The Columbian

Churches & Religion

Bishops and Cardinals attend a Monday morning session of a two-week synod on family issues at the Vatican. Catholic bishops scrapped their landmark welcome to gays Saturday, showing deep divisions at the end of a two-week meeting sought by Pope Francis to chart a more merciful approach to ministering to Catholic families.

Bishops scrap welcome to gays in sign of split

October 17, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

VATICAN CITY -- Catholic bishops scrapped their landmark welcome to gays Saturday, showing deep divisions at the end of a two-week meeting sought by Pope Francis to chart a more merciful approach to ministering to Catholic families. Read story

David Mandani is reflected in a glass wall of the Saddleback Church sanctuary in Lake Forest, Calif.

Churches struggle to help the mentally ill

October 17, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

David Mandani heard voices telling him to kill himself. He was paranoid. He saw things others didn't. Read story

Prayer breakfast speech avoids controversy

October 16, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

A prayer breakfast featuring a speaker known nationally for his remarks denouncing Islam took place in Vancouver this morning. But retired Army Lt. Gen. William "Jerry" Boykin kept his remarks focused on his faith and military experiences. Read story

A crowd of more than 700 attends the Clark County's Mayor's and Civic Leaders 12th Annual Prayer Breakfast at the Hilton Vancouver Washington last year.

Leavitt will boycott Friday’s prayer breakfast

October 14, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt has reversed course and said he will boycott the 2014 Clark County Mayor and Civic Leaders Prayer Breakfast, where this year's keynote speaker is nationally known for denouncing Muslims and Jews. Read story

Next gay marriage fight: religious exemptions

October 13, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

Alarmed by the broad expansion of same-sex marriage set in motion by the U.S. Supreme Court, religious conservatives are moving their fight to state legislatures -- seeking exemptions that would allow some groups, companies and people with religious objections to refuse benefits or service for gay spouses. Read story

Bishops attend a morning session of a two-week synod on family issues at the Vatican on Monday.

Catholic bishops take distance from gay document

October 13, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

VATICAN CITY -- Conservative Catholic bishops distanced themselves Tuesday from a document showing an unprecedented opening toward gays and divorced people, saying it doesn't reflect their views and vowing to make changes to the final version. Read story

Abuse survivors Al Michaud, left, and Jim Keenan embrace after they both spoke of the importance of this historic agreement as attorney Jeff Anderson, Bishop Andrew Cozzens and Vicar General Rev. Charles Lachowitzer at right look on in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, Oct. 13, 2014. A Minnesota judge signed off on a settlement in a groundbreaking case that accused Catholic church leaders in Minnesota of creating a public nuisance by failing to warn parishioners about an abusive priest.

Minnesota churches settle clergy abuse lawsuit

October 13, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Victims of clergy sex abuse stood next to Catholic church leaders in Minnesota on Monday to announce a settlement to a novel lawsuit that includes new measures to keep children safe. Read story

Prayer breakfast keynoter called ‘anti-Muslim bigot’

October 12, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

Washington state Muslims are calling the retired Pentagon official who's scheduled to keynote the 13th annual Mayors' & Civic Leaders Prayer Breakfast later this week an "anti-Muslim bigot," and urging organizers to drop him from the event. Read story

Members of Mormons Building Bridges march June 8 during the Utah Gay Pride Parade, in Salt Lake City.

Some Mormons pushing church on gay marriage

October 11, 2014, 5:00pm Churches & Religion

SALT LAKE CITY -- Court decisions this week paving the way for same-sex marriage to become legal in dozens of states, including Mormon strongholds like Utah, Idaho and Nevada, have emboldened a growing group of Latter-day Saints who are pushing the conservative church to become more accepting of gay members. Read story