Religion

Sister Teresa Forcades prays over the graves of fellow nuns in a cemetery at her Sant Benet Monastery in Montserrat, Spain.

The Outspoken Spanish Nun Who's Made Herself A Political Force

11:12am September 26, 2014

by Lauren Frayer

From her convent on a sacred mountain, Benedictine nun Teresa Forcades — a feminist medical doctor with a Ph.D. in public health — is a prominent leftist and leading advocate of Catalan independence.

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Vatican Arrests One Of Its Own On Child Sex Abuse Charges

11:12am September 26, 2014

by Sylvia Poggioli

For the first time, the Vatican has put one of its own under house arrest for alleged sex abuse of minors. Josef Wesolowski is the Vatican's former ambassador to the Dominican Republic and was defrocked in June.

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Muslim preacher Anjem Choudary is reportedly one of nine men arrested as part of an investigation in Britain into Islamist terrorism.

Radical Muslim Cleric Reportedly Among 9 Arrested In Britain

12:47pm September 25, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Anjem Choudary, the former head of al-Muhajiroun, is said to be among those arrested on suspicion of encouraging terrorism or supporting a banned organization.

Rosh Hashana's Sacred Bread Offers Meaning In Many Shapes And Sizes

10:36am September 25, 2014

by Deena Prichep

Making challah for the Jewish New Year lets the baker take a moment to reflect on life's blessings. The bread can be shaped into the traditional round, or a lion or bird to echo Bible verses.

Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, the Vatican's ambassador to the Dominican Republic, offers Mass in Santo Domingo in 2009. He has been accused of paying for sex with children while he was a papal ambassador in the Dominican Republic.

Vatican Arrests Defrocked Archbishop On Sex Charges

3:49pm September 24, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Former Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, who was defrocked earlier this year, has been accused of paying for sex with children while he was papal ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

A woman reads a prayer book during Rosh Hashanah last year.

Religion

A Place To Reflect During Jewish Holy Days — That's Not A Temple

1:31pm September 24, 2014

by Deena Prichep

Sunset marks the start of the Jewish New Year as well as the 10 Days of Awe, when observant Jews reflect on the past year. Some are taking this reflection out of the temple and onto their tablets.

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Vatican Arrests Former Archbishop On Child Abuse Charges

1:31pm September 24, 2014

Jozef Wesolowski is the first high-ranking Vatican official to face criminal charges for sexually abusing children. Steve Inskeep talks to Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter.

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President Obama closes his eyes as a prayer is offered at the National Prayer Breakfast in February in Washington, D.C.

More Americans Favor Mixing Religion And Politics, Survey Says

6:14pm September 23, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The poll by Pew's Religion & Public Life Project also shows that three-quarters of survey participants believe religion's influence on American life is waning.

Contraceptive coverage has long been required by state laws or sought by nonreligious employers the religious health plans serve.

How Catholic Insurance Companies Outsource Contraceptive Coverage

11:15am September 22, 2014

by Julie Rovner

For years Catholic health plans have been arranging for independent insurance firms to provide contraceptive coverage to their enrollees.

Which Catholics Offer Birth Control? Look To The Insurers

11:36am September 21, 2014

by NPR Staff

Catholic universities and hospitals argue they shouldn't have to offer contraceptive coverage, but many Catholic insurance companies have been making it available for years.

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