Our hand-picked mix of compelling news stories, commentaries from Maureen, and important updates about the show.
Survivors of Magdalene Laundries Still Waiting for an Apology 05-03-2013From around the webBY PAIGE BRETTINGEN | BELFAST, Northern Ireland
(RNS) When the Republic of Ireland apologized to the wayward girls who were sent to the Magdalene laundries for hard work and no pay, Teresa Bell felt encouraged. Surely...
Modern Hymn Writers Revive a Lost Musical Art 05-02-2013From around the webBY BOB SMIETANA | NASHVILLE, Tenn.
(RNS) Most songwriters in Nashville want to get their songs on the radio. Keith and Kristyn Getty hope their songs end up in dusty old hymnbooks.
The Gettys, originally from Belfa...
Female Converts to Islam Facing Growing Scrutiny 05-01-2013From around the webBY OMAR SACIRBEY | BOSTON
(RNS) When Karen Hunt Ahmed and her Muslim husband divorced four years ago, many friends asked her, “Now you can stop this Islam stuff, right?”
Some friends, she thought.
&l...
Mormons Say They’re OK with Change in Scouts’ Gay Policy 04-29-2013From around the webBY PEGGY FLETCHER STACK | SALT LAKE CITY
(RNS) The compromise proposal from the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay youths — while continuing to exclude gay leaders — has picked up a powerful backer: the Ch...
Jerusalem Court Upholds Women’s Prayer Rights at Western Wall 04-26-2013From around the webBY MICHELLE CHABIN | JERUSALEM
(RNS) Women who want to wear prayer shawls while praying in the women’s section of the Western Wall are not breaking the law, according to a landmark decision handed down Thursday ...
Atheists Rally Around Jailed Bangladeshi Bloggers 04-25-2013From around the webBY KIMBERLY WINSTON
(RNS) An international consortium of nonbelievers is planning rallies Thursday (April 25) outside Bangladeshi embassies and consulates to demand the release of several Bangladeshi bloggers who were...
Former National Council of Churches Leader Bob Edgar Dead at 69 04-24-2013From around the webBY ADELLE M. BANKS
(RNS) The Rev. Bob Edgar, a Democratic congressman and United Methodist minister who went on to lead the National Council of Churches through a painful series of restructuring cuts, died suddenly Tu...
