JERUSALEM (RNS) The Catholic Church’s highest official in the Holy Land sharply criticized Israeli authorities for permitting a gay pride march on Thursday (July 29) through the streets of Jerusalem. In a statement issued Friday following the city’s 8th Annual Gay Pride Parade, which attracted 3,000 marchers, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal said the event seeks…

By Kevin Eckstrom c. 2010 Religion News Service (RNS) Vampire novelist Anne Rice says she’s leaving Christianity — again — because she no longer wants to be identified with such a “quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.” Born and raised a Catholic, Rice left the church but returned after a 30-year absence in 1998.…

Associated Press – July 30, 2010 NEW YORK – America’s leading Jewish civil rights group has come out against the planned mosque and Islamic community center near the World Trade Center’s ground zero site, saying the location is “counterproductive to the healing process.” The mosque and community center would be located two blocks from the…

WASHINGTON (RNS) U.S. religious leaders are applauding Congress’ approval of legislation that reduces the disparity of jail time between crack and powder cocaine offenses. After passing the Senate in March, the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 was approved by the House on Wednesday (July 28). The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.…

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