Religion News Headlines

  • Zimababwe Catholic group: Stop township violence AP - Sun, Jul 3, 2011

    A Roman Catholic human rights group in Zimbabwe called on political leaders Sunday to intervene to end a surge in violence that has seen rival political party supporters … More »Zimababwe Catholic group: Stop township violence

    A Roman Catholic human rights group in Zimbabwe called on political leaders Sunday to intervene to end a surge in violence that has seen rival political party supporters driven from their homes and created no-go zones in Zimbabwe's capital.

  • In this photo taken in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples, Italy, on June 23, 2011, Maria Esposito sits in her home with some portraits of Pope Pius XII during an interview with the Associated Press. Maria Esposito was ready to give up. Wasted away at 42 kilos (92 pounds), she couldn't bear another dose of chemotherapy to fight the Stage IV Burkitt's lymphoma that had invaded her body while she was pregnant with her second child. But as she and her family had done since she was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive form of cancer in July 2005, Esposito prayed to the man who had appeared to her husband in a dream as the only person who could save her: Pope Pius XII. Esposito survived, cured after a single, six-week cycle of chemotherapy - a recovery that, she says, stunned her doctors and convinced her that the World War II-era pope had intervened with God to save her. Esposito's case, which the 42-year-old teacher recounted to The Associated Press in her first ever interview, has been proposed to the Vatican as the possible miracle needed to beatify Pius, one of the most controversial popes given that Jews say he failed to speak out enough to stop the Holocaust. (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)
    AP Exclusive: Miracle claimed for WWII-era pope AP - Sun, Jul 3, 2011

    Maria Esposito was ready to give up. Wasted away at 42 kilos (92 pounds), she couldn't bear another dose of chemotherapy to fight the Stage IV Burkitt's lymphoma that … More »AP Exclusive: Miracle claimed for WWII-era pope

    In this photo taken in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples, Italy, on June 23, 2011, Maria Esposito sits in her home with some portraits of Pope Pius XII during an interview with the Associated Press. Maria Esposito was ready to give up. Wasted away at 42 kilos (92 pounds), she couldn't bear another dose of chemotherapy to fight the Stage IV Burkitt's lymphoma that had invaded her body while she was pregnant with her second child. But as she and her family had done since she was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive form of cancer in July 2005, Esposito prayed to the man who had appeared to her husband in a dream as the only person who could save her: Pope Pius XII. Esposito survived, cured after a single, six-week cycle of chemotherapy - a recovery that, she says, stunned her doctors and convinced her that the World War II-era pope had intervened with God to save her. Esposito's case, which the 42-year-old teacher recounted to The Associated Press in her first ever interview, has been proposed to the Vatican as the possible miracle needed to beatify Pius, one of the most controversial popes given that Jews say he failed to speak out enough to stop the Holocaust. (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)

    Maria Esposito was ready to give up. Wasted away at 42 kilos (92 pounds), she couldn't bear another dose of chemotherapy to fight the Stage IV Burkitt's lymphoma that had invaded her body while she was pregnant with her second child.

  • Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco depart from the Monaco palace after their religious wedding ceremony , Saturday, July 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jean Paul Pelissier, Pool)
    Albert, Charlene wed in Monaco religious ceremony AP - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    A day after the civil wedding that transformed one-time Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock into the Princess of Monaco, she and Prince Albert II exchanged vows in a star-studded … More »Albert, Charlene wed in Monaco religious ceremony

    Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco depart from the Monaco palace after their religious wedding ceremony , Saturday, July 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Jean Paul Pelissier, Pool)

    A day after the civil wedding that transformed one-time Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock into the Princess of Monaco, she and Prince Albert II exchanged vows in a star-studded religious ceremony Saturday.

  • Vatican returns to profit but donations down AP - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    The Vatican returned to profit last year after three years in the red but donations from the faithful fell nearly $15 million, or 18 percent, amid tough economic times … More »Vatican returns to profit but donations down

    The Vatican returned to profit last year after three years in the red but donations from the faithful fell nearly $15 million, or 18 percent, amid tough economic times and the explosion of the priest sex abuse scandal.

  • Pope Benedict XVI attends an audience to the diocese of Altamura, Gravina, and Aquaviva delle Fonti
    Vatican goes online in struggle against child abuse AFP - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    The Vatican is turning to the Internet in its struggle against child abuse with a new website allowing clergy around the world to share information on eradicating the … More »Vatican goes online in struggle against child abuse

    Pope Benedict XVI attends an audience to the diocese of Altamura, Gravina, and Aquaviva delle Fonti

    The Vatican is turning to the Internet in its struggle against child abuse with a new website allowing clergy around the world to share information on eradicating the problem.

  • German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, left, takes his seat at the Monaco palace for the religious wedding ceremony of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Princess of Monaco, Saturday, July 2, 2011.. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, Pool)
    Albert, Charlene set for Monaco religious wedding AP - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    A day after the civil wedding that transformed one-time Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock into the Princess of Monaco, the South African and Prince Albert II prepared … More »Albert, Charlene set for Monaco religious wedding

    German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, left, takes his seat at the Monaco palace for the religious wedding ceremony of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Princess of Monaco, Saturday, July 2, 2011.. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, Pool)

    A day after the civil wedding that transformed one-time Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock into the Princess of Monaco, the South African and Prince Albert II prepared to say their vows in a star-studded religious ceremony Saturday.

  • Vatican returns to profit but donations down AP - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    The Vatican has returned to profit after three years in the red but donations from the faithful fell nearly €15 million ($22 million), or 18 percent, amid tough economic … More »Vatican returns to profit but donations down

    The Vatican has returned to profit after three years in the red but donations from the faithful fell nearly €15 million ($22 million), or 18 percent, amid tough economic times and a year in which the priest ...

  • Vatican returns to profit but donations down AP - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    The Vatican has returned to profit after three years in the red but donations from the faithful fell nearly euro15 million ($22 million), or 18 percent, amid tough economic … More »Vatican returns to profit but donations down

    The Vatican has returned to profit after three years in the red but donations from the faithful fell nearly euro15 million ($22 million), or 18 percent, amid tough economic times and a year in which the ...

  • Gay Marriage: The Coming Clash of Civil and Religious Liberties Time.com - Sat, Jul 2, 2011

    What does the historic vote on same-sex marriage in New York mean for the rest of the country? Will it play a role if and when the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the California … More »Gay Marriage: The Coming Clash of Civil and Religious Liberties

    What does the historic vote on same-sex marriage in New York mean for the rest of the country? Will it play a role if and when the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the California case? Will it propel or impede efforts in other states to legalize gay marriage?

  • Pope Benedict XVI urged the FAO to find "concrete solutions for those who suffer from hunger and malnutrition"
    Pope urges action against food price 'speculation' AFP - Fri, Jul 1, 2011

    Pope Benedict XVI on Friday called for action against "speculation" on commodity markets, as he met the newly-named Brazilian chief of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation … More »Pope urges action against food price 'speculation'

    Pope Benedict XVI urged the FAO to find "concrete solutions for those who suffer from hunger and malnutrition"

    Pope Benedict XVI on Friday called for action against "speculation" on commodity markets, as he met the newly-named Brazilian chief of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation in the Vatican.

  • Pope says "selfish" food speculation causing hunger Reuters - Fri, Jul 1, 2011

    ROME (Reuters) - Pope Benedict said on Friday financial trading based on "selfish attitudes" is spreading poverty and hunger and called for more regulation of food commodity … More »Pope says "selfish" food speculation causing hunger

    ROME (Reuters) - Pope Benedict said on Friday financial trading based on "selfish attitudes" is spreading poverty and hunger and called for more regulation of food commodity markets to guarantee everyone's right to life.

  • Pope denounces commodities speculation AP - Fri, Jul 1, 2011

    Pope Benedict XVI denounced speculation in commodities markets Friday and demanded a global response to high food prices based on solidarity, not profit. More »Pope denounces commodities speculation

    Pope Benedict XVI denounced speculation in commodities markets Friday and demanded a global response to high food prices based on solidarity, not profit.

  • Pope denounces commodities speculation AP - Fri, Jul 1, 2011

    Pope Benedict XVI denounced speculation in commodities markets Friday and demanded a global response to high food prices based on solidarity, not profit.Benedict told … More »Pope denounces commodities speculation

    Pope Benedict XVI denounced speculation in commodities markets Friday and demanded a global response to high food prices based on solidarity, not profit.Benedict told delegates of the U.N. Food and Agriculture ...

  • There are 5.7 million Catholics in China
    China detains Vatican-backed Catholic priest AFP - Thu, Jun 30, 2011

    Chinese police detained a Vatican-backed Catholic priest and blocked his ordination as a bishop, a parishioner said Thursday, in a move likely to raise tensions with … More »China detains Vatican-backed Catholic priest

    There are 5.7 million Catholics in China

    Chinese police detained a Vatican-backed Catholic priest and blocked his ordination as a bishop, a parishioner said Thursday, in a move likely to raise tensions with the Holy See.

  • There are 5.7 million Catholics in China
    China detains Vatican-backed Catholic priest AFP - Thu, Jun 30, 2011

    Chinese police detained a Vatican-backed Catholic priest and blocked his ordination as a bishop, a parishioner said Thursday, in a move likely to raise tensions with … More »China detains Vatican-backed Catholic priest

    There are 5.7 million Catholics in China

    Chinese police detained a Vatican-backed Catholic priest and blocked his ordination as a bishop, a parishioner said Thursday, in a move likely to raise tensions with the Holy See.

  • Pope Benedict XVI wrote a message on Twitter praising Jesus
    Pope's first tweet marks Vatican social media revolution AFP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    The sight of Pope Benedict XVI tweeting on an iPad reveals a transformation underway in the tradition-bound Vatican to reach a younger global audience and improve a scandal-tainted … More »Pope's first tweet marks Vatican social media revolution

    Pope Benedict XVI wrote a message on Twitter praising Jesus

    The sight of Pope Benedict XVI tweeting on an iPad reveals a transformation underway in the tradition-bound Vatican to reach a younger global audience and improve a scandal-tainted image.

  • FILE - In this March 31, 2011 file photo a Halal butcher store is seen in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Netherlands' parliament is set to pass a bill banning any slaughter of livestock without stunning, removing an exemption that has long allowed orthodox Dutch Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules. The legislation going to a vote Tuesday, June 28, 2011, enjoys support on the political left, which sees ritual slaughter as cruel to animals, and on the right, which sees it as foreign and barbaric. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
    Dutch approve ban on religious animal slaughter AP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    The Dutch parliament has passed a bill banning the slaughter of livestock without stunning it first, removing an exemption that has allowed Jews and Muslims to butcher … More »Dutch approve ban on religious animal slaughter

    FILE - In this March 31, 2011 file photo a Halal butcher store is seen in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Netherlands' parliament is set to pass a bill banning any slaughter of livestock without stunning, removing an exemption that has long allowed orthodox Dutch Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules. The legislation going to a vote Tuesday, June 28, 2011, enjoys support on the political left, which sees ritual slaughter as cruel to animals, and on the right, which sees it as foreign and barbaric. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

    The Dutch parliament has passed a bill banning the slaughter of livestock without stunning it first, removing an exemption that has allowed Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules.

  • Borscht, Monkeys, and the Pope's Tweets The Atlantic Wire - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    Here at The Atlantic Wire, we respect and value the social media editors who share the links that make our jobs easier. Sometimes, though, we have no idea what they're … More »Borscht, Monkeys, and the Pope's Tweets

    Here at The Atlantic Wire, we respect and value the social media editors who share the links that make our jobs easier. Sometimes, though, we have no idea what they're talking about. So after a day of staring at Twitter, we're sharing our favorite head-scratchers. Today, we're going heavy on the monkeys...Related: Beauty …

  • Watch the Pope Send His First Tweet on an iPad The Atlantic Wire - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    Today was a day for somehow religious social media. Lady Gaga joined Tumblr with a blog called Amen†Fashion. The Pope joined Twitter, sent his first tweet using an iPad, … More »Watch the Pope Send His First Tweet on an iPad

    Today was a day for somehow religious social media. Lady Gaga joined Tumblr with a blog called Amen†Fashion. The Pope joined Twitter, sent his first tweet using an iPad, uploaded a video of him tweeting on an iPad, and managed (so far) not to get a single negative YouTube comment about it. Nice try, Lady Gaga. The Pope …

  • Pope tweets for the first time AP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    Pope Benedict XVI has tweeted for the first time, announcing the launch of a Vatican news information portal. More »Pope tweets for the first time

    Pope Benedict XVI has tweeted for the first time, announcing the launch of a Vatican news information portal.

  • Pope tweets for the first time AP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    Pope Benedict XVI has tweeted for the first time, announcing the launch of a Vatican news information portal.Benedict's tweet on Tuesday read: "Dear Friends, I just launched … More »Pope tweets for the first time

    Pope Benedict XVI has tweeted for the first time, announcing the launch of a Vatican news information portal.Benedict's tweet on Tuesday read: "Dear Friends, I just launched News.va Praised be ...

  • Pope Benedict XVI wearing a red Saturn hat, arrives to lead his weekly general audience at St Peter's Square on June 22
    Pope praises Jesus in first Twitter message AFP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    Pope Benedict XVI wrote a message on Twitter on Tuesday praising Jesus and announcing the launch of a new Vatican website in the first "tweet" by a leader of the Roman … More »Pope praises Jesus in first Twitter message

    Pope Benedict XVI wearing a red Saturn hat, arrives to lead his weekly general audience at St Peter's Square on June 22

    Pope Benedict XVI wrote a message on Twitter on Tuesday praising Jesus and announcing the launch of a new Vatican website in the first "tweet" by a leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

  • FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2007 file picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Rev. Tadeusz Rydzyk in Castel Gandolfo on the hills overlooking Rome. Rydzyk, a controversial Polish priest and media mogul has sparked an uproar in Poland by calling the country a "totalitarian state" that "hasn't been ruled by Poles since 1939", a statement many interpret as code for saying Jews are secretly running the country. The priest, who has been accused in the past of fomenting anti-Semitism through his politically influential, ultra-Catholic radio station Radio Maryja, made the comments at the European Parliament last week. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, File) EDITORIAL USE ONLY
    Jewish groups ask Vatican to punish Polish priest AP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    International Jewish groups have called on the Vatican to sanction a prominent Polish priest who they say uses his media empire to foment anti-Semitism. More »Jewish groups ask Vatican to punish Polish priest

    FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2007 file picture made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Rev. Tadeusz Rydzyk in Castel Gandolfo on the hills overlooking Rome. Rydzyk, a controversial Polish priest and media mogul has sparked an uproar in Poland by calling the country a "totalitarian state" that "hasn't been ruled by Poles since 1939", a statement many interpret as code for saying Jews are secretly running the country. The priest, who has been accused in the past of fomenting anti-Semitism through his politically influential, ultra-Catholic radio station Radio Maryja, made the comments at the European Parliament last week. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, File) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

    International Jewish groups have called on the Vatican to sanction a prominent Polish priest who they say uses his media empire to foment anti-Semitism.

  • Dutch vote to ban religious slaughter of animals Reuters - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch parliament voted on Tuesday to ban ritual slaughter of animals, a move strongly opposed by the country's Muslim and Jewish minorities, … More »Dutch vote to ban religious slaughter of animals

    AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Dutch parliament voted on Tuesday to ban ritual slaughter of animals, a move strongly opposed by the country's Muslim and Jewish minorities, but left a loophole that might let religious butchering continue.

  • Dutch set to ban religious animal slaughter AP - Tue, Jun 28, 2011

    The Netherlands' parliament is set to pass a bill banning any slaughter of livestock without stunning, removing an exemption that has long allowed orthodox Dutch Jews … More »Dutch set to ban religious animal slaughter

    The Netherlands' parliament is set to pass a bill banning any slaughter of livestock without stunning, removing an exemption that has long allowed orthodox Dutch Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules.