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The Bolivian Sistine Chapel

Zionica — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:42:02 +0000

The colonial-era house of worship known in Bolivia as the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes" was filled with flowers over the weekend for those celebrating two weddings and seven baptisms on the windswept mountain plateau. Although a far cry from the original Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, the colorful paintings that decorate the inside of…

Bishop orders priests to read anti-Obama letter

Zionica — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:54:46 +0000

Joining the chorus of Roman Catholic clergy in Illinois criticizing President Barack Obama before next week's election, Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky ordered priests to read a letter to parishioners on Sunday before the presidential election, explaining that politicians who support abortion rights also reject Jesus. "By virtue of your vow of obedience to me as…

The Reformation of the Gospel

Zionica — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:21:44 +0000

Celebrations of the Reformation each October typically revolve around the larger-than-life reformer, Martin Luther. On this Reformation Day, however, I would like to wind the clock forward two decades after Luther posted his monumental 95 theses to a debate you may never have heard of before, namely, the Reformation debate between John Calvin and Cardinal…

Muslims oppose building Catholic Church in Bahrain

Zionica — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:03:53 +0000

The building of the largest Roman Catholic church in the Gulf was supposed to be a chance for the tiny island kingdom of Bahrain to showcase its traditions of religious tolerance in a conservative Muslim region where churches largely operate under heavy limitations. Instead, the planned church — intended to be the main center for…

Spotlight shines on Paul Ryan's social views

Zionica — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:58:28 +0000

Though best known as an architect of conservative fiscal policy, Representative Paul D. Ryan has also been an ardent, unwavering foe of abortion rights, has tried to cut off federal money for family planning, has opposed same-sex marriage and has championed the rights of gun owners. Despite those positions, Mr. Ryan, who was picked over…

Philly monsignor awaits fate in church cover-up

Zionica — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:10:59 +0000

A Roman Catholic monsignor awaits sentencing Tuesday in a landmark prosecution over his handling of complaints that Philadelphia priests were molesting children. Monsignor William Lynn faces up to seven years in prison for his felony child endangerment conviction. He was cleared of three related charges at trial. The 61-year-old Lynn is the first U.S. church…

Christendom isn't dead

Zionica — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:52:26 +0000

Retired evangelist Billy Graham used his power to influence the vote in North Carolina on May 8. “The Bible is clear: God’s definition of marriage is between a man and a woman,” he stated in a newspaper advertisement. “I want to urge my fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment.” Many other church…

Revered Jerusalem church comes alive at night

Zionica — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:56:09 +0000

After the last tourists leave the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City at nightfall, a little-known but centuries-old tradition unfolds at one of Christianity's holiest sites. Clerics from the three largest denominations represented in the church – Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic – gather each night for special prayers reserved for…

Tony Blair: Disaster beckons for world without faith

Zionica — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:50:28 +0000

"We don't do God," his spokesman, Alastair Campbell, insisted while he was Prime Minister. But since leaving office, Tony Blair has converted to Roman Catholicism, launched a faith foundation and yesterday gave his strongest endorsement of the church yet. Speaking at a conference in London organised by the Holy Trinity Brompton Church, Mr Blair warned…