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Continuing the Vatican’s damage-control efforts regarding the clergy sex abuse scandal, including a new Associated Press investigation reporting that at least 30 accused priests have been shuffled around the globe, Pope Benedict spontaneously confirmed the need to repent for sins during a homily today. His exact words: “I must say that we Christians, even in recent times, have often…

For some reason this morning, there’s a big rumor going around that President Obama has canceled National Day of Prayer 2010, scheduled for May 6. It’s not true, despite what your search engine and e-mails tell you. The rumormongers seem to have seized on last year’s L.A. Times blog post about Obama opting not to…

Yesterday was the culmination of Kumbh Mela 2010, a Hindu festival that draws millions of pilgrims to the Ganges River over a three-month period. The New York Times reported that an estimated 10 million people entered the water on Wednesday, creating serious safety concerns, including seven deaths during a procession stampede; the Associated Press confirmed three drowning…

The Vatican response to the clergy sex abuse scandal has gone into damage-control overdrive this week, the Associated Press reports, as church officials try to improve public sentiment before Pope Benedict visits Malta, Cyprus and other parts of the world. Although some abuse victims and advocates have literally shown up at his doorstep lately, the pontiff is certainly more vulnerable outside his home turf. Security…

Personally and professionally, interfaith marriage issues fascinate me, especially when families find creative ways to honor multiple sets of beliefs and traditions. Unfortunately, for every positive example of love conquering all, there are plenty of painful situations like the recent case of a Jewish mother and her Catholic ex-husband, publicly battling over the soul of their young child.…

Taglit-Birthright Israel, a program that sends Jewish young adults on free 10-day trips to Israel, has begun expanding efforts to keep participants involved in Judaism long-term, both religiously and culturally. The alumni program, called Birthright NEXT, will expand from seven to 15 cities, and will now be headed by Morlie Levin (formerly of Hadassah) and…

Despite Pope Benedict’s previous comments distinguishing between pedophilia and homosexuality, the Vatican’s secretary of state has just come out citing homosexuality – as opposed to celibacy — as a related factor in the Catholic Church’s clergy sex abuse crisis. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone made the comments during a news conference yesterday in Chile, where one of the church’s abuse cases involves…

Thousands of Sikhs from around the world have gathered in north India and Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi Festival 2010, a three-day religious holiday combining a harvest and New Year’s celebration. (The festival, sometimes spelled Besaki, Vaisakhi, or Vasakhi, is also celebrated by some Hindus.) I’ve never reported on this holiday before, but it sounds like fun…

The Vatican has posted an official guide on its procedures concerning sexual abuse allegations — spelling out a policy that “civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed.” In other words, bishops should report such crimes to police, rather than only alerting their superiors within the church hierarchy. Catholic News…

Hopeful prayers that some of the West Virginia coal miners would still be found alive turned into sorrowful prayers for their grieving families and coworkers over the weekend, at funerals and Sunday church services. A few of the stories: Some W. Va. miners’ families say goodbye; others wait (USA Today) Churchgoers honor 29 dead miners —…
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