October 30
First woman voted head of German Protestant church
She was also first female bishop to file for divorce
Negotiations for priest's release 'set to begin'
Irish missioner abducted in Philippines 15 days ago
Abuse claim against Irish archbishop in Nigeria
Vatican is investigating allegation of child sex abuse
Pope seeks more freedom for Catholics in Iran
Urged Tehran to improve situation of all Christians
Bail stays at $1M for suspect in killing NJ priest
Parish janitor accused stabbing attack in rectory
Critics slam HBO for mocking Catholic devotion
Scene showed painting of Jesus being urinated on
Argentine Congress considers same-sex marriage
'We now have the social and political context necessary'
Bishop cancels Mass following cathedral blast
Grenade exploded at Filipino church in Muslim area
Lawsuit challenges new ban on nativity display
Freedom From Religion Foundation complaint led to court
October 29
Hans Kung criticizes Pope's opening to Anglicans
Dissident theologian accuses Benedict of 'fishing'
Philly Anglican church could be first to defect
Pastor: 'I was overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving'
Top Catholic leaders demand apology from Kennedy
RI congressman blasted bishops over health care reform
Heated battle in Maine's same-sex marriage vote
State to decide on overturning legislative decision
Colombia: Catholic hospitals must provide abortions
Court claims that mothers 'enjoy a right to decide'
Citing swine flu, Catholics alter practices
Nix on the wine, the hugging, and the handshaking
Anonymous donor gives $2.5 mil to Catholic U.
Money will endow chair at the School of Philosophy
Church, police fear for kidnapped priest
Heart bypass patient was abducted two weeks ago
Church defrocks popular ex-priest accused of abuse
John Calicott officially laicized by the Vatican on Monday
October 28
Germany fines SSPX bishop for Holocaust denial
Richard Williamson slapped with $18,000 bill
Clinton slams religious 'anti-defamation' trend
Says religious differences should be met with tolerance
African bishop speaks out against genital mutilation
Proposes initiation ritual that respects girls' bodies
Down's Syndrome up as women delay motherhood
71% increase in cases detected in womb over past 20 years
Church janitor arrested in murder of NJ priest
The two men argued over janitor's continued employment
Jewish relations part of Vatican talks with SSPX
Meetings will discuss 'main doctrinal differences'
Alaska diocese creates new abuse settlement plan
Offers $11 million to settle 292 abuse cases
Blast hits cathedral in the southern Philippines
Grenade exploded in largely Muslim province
Church of Scientology convicted of fraud in France
Cult-like organization fined more than $900,000
October 27
Nun volunteering as abortion clinic escort
Says she is aiding women who are 'verbally abused'
Disgraced cloning expert convicted in S. Korea
Scientist escapes jail for illegally buying human eggs
Senior Anglican prelate ready to convert to Rome
Bishop of Chichester's bold move could spark exodus
Bulgarian Orthodox leader affirms desire for unity
'We must find unity as soon as possible'
Dan Brown: I want to meet the Pope
Da Vinci Code author says it was 'only a novel'
Cardinal Turkson to head Vatican's peace office
Ghana prelate appointed to high profile post
Pope celebrates Mass to cap Africa meeting
Benedict: 'Courage! Get up, African continent!'
Irish archbishop removed by Vatican in sex scandal
Woman 'turns in' missionary after 20-year relationship
New President appointed at Thomas Aquinas College
Dr. Michael F. McLean takes over after tragic death
October 26
Another Kennedy spars with Church on abortion
Claims bishops are against biggest social justice issue
Providence bishop slams Patrick Kennedy
Teddy's son says Church flames 'dissent and discord'
Christians forcibly convert Hindus: myth
Such allegations have triggered violence in India
Priest found slain in rectory of his NJ church
Janitor charged with stabbing pastor 32 times
Why boys are turning into girls
Gender-bending chemicals exempt from EU regulations
Bishops to corrupt African leaders: repent or quit
Continent needs 'saints' in government to clean house
Sudanese bishop warns civil war could return
Military groups are arming themselves as election nears
Scandal-plagued Bishop Ziemann dead at 68
Resigned after admitting to sex affair with priest
Some Anglican clergy ready to accept Pope's offer
Forward in Faith group mulls switch to Rome
October 23
Vatican thumbs up for Karl Marx?
Latest historical figures to undergo reappraisal
Priests in London say they're tempted to join Rome
Pope's decree was 'the fulfillment of a long-held dream'
Knock, and it shall be opened to you
...as long as it's according to tradition
Benedict XVI fulfils the hopes of Cardinal Newman
Anglican-convert saints said it could work -- in 1876
Nurses plan strike against Catholic hospitals
Protest against alleged lax safety standards
Simpsons take another shot at the Catholics
'What kind of uncivilized people work at Fox?'
Texas men urge priest abuse victims to speak out
...as Discalced Carmelite Friars pay out $4.6 million
Aussie bishops reiterate dissent on abortion reform
'Every human life deserves reverence, love and respect'
'Underground' priests still missing after months
China: Taken away by plainclothes police months ago
October 22
Anglican invitation allows for married priests
Coverts to Catholicism to retain liturgy, priesthood
Will Anglican plan prompt flood of converts?
'Provided the terms and conditions are favorable'
Latinos may be 'future' of U.S. Catholic Church
...due to immigration, higher fertility rates
U.S. bishops ready to act on Anglican provision
George: 'We seek a greater communion with all...'
Alito troubled by concerns over court's Catholics
'This is one of those questions that does not die'
NY priest pleads guilty to stealing from parish
...including a fund for victims of Hurricane Katrina
R. Crumb producing comic-book version of Genesis
Underground artist doesn't believe Bible is Word of God
'Pope Joan' film hits German theaters
John Goodman plays 9th-century Pope Sergius
Pope names Indiana pastor new Wyoming bishop
'A lot of joy. A lot of emotion. A lot of gratitude'
October 21
Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic Church
'Hundreds more have expressed interest in joining'
Anglican leader: Declaration won't change dialogue
'Our on-going mutual commitment' will continue
Catholics wonder what bankruptcy means for Church
In Delaware: 'I was shocked when I saw the headline'
Portland diocese confirms abuse by Catholic priest
Bishop orders tributes to him at the church be removed
Catholic priest faces child pornography charges
Charged with 17 felony counts of sexual abuse
Editorial: The persecution of Belmont Abbey
Obama's EEOC doesn't believe in religious liberty
Atheist subway ads in NY: 'Good Without God'
Coalition will run monthlong advertising campaign
Islamists publicly flog women in Sharia crackdown
Whipped for wearing a 'deceptive' bra in Somalia
Octomom's doctor expelled from medical society
'We're concerned with providing appropriate due process'
October 20
Convicted murderer priest: I didn't do it
Cleric charged with killing nun maintains innocence
Archbishop Burke offers Tridentine Mass at Vatican
First time at St. Peter's Basilica in 40 years
Portuguese Nobelist angers Catholic Church
Literature laureate Saramago's 'Cain' deemed offensive
Police shoot, kill wild boar at parish festival
Animal was on the loose, unaffected by taser guns
St. Anthony statue beheaded in San Antonio
Witnesses report seeing man shouting obscenities
Fr. Jenkins re-elected as president of Notre Dame
Despite widespread criticism of his role in Obama scandal
New Bible will eliminate 'liberal' text
Conservative project to eliminate socialism, adultery
Irish bishops to hand over some schools to gov't
Church's influence in education to undergo seismic change
October 19
German prosecutors act against SSPX bishop
Accused of 'inciting racial hatred' for Holocaust remarks
Catholic Diocese of Wilmington files bankruptcy
On eve of civil trial in high-profile sex abuse case
1 million people rally against abortion in Spain
Protest called to denounce bill for unrestricted abortion
Catholic priest who fathered child is suspended
May have been involved separately with a minor
Religious illiteracy alarms educators
Half high-school seniors say Sodom, Gomorrah were married
Warrants detail images on bishop's computer
Documents say some naked boys appear younger than 12
Organ harvesters want to change definition of death
Defenseless human beings seen as natural resources
South Jersey Catholic teachers vote to strike
Salary and medical benefits are the open issues
Pope pays tribute to persecuted priests
Cited example of cleric who was recently slain in Brazil
October 16
Dublin judge OKs report on Catholic child abuse
But government must remove one legally sensitive chapter
Senior German Protestant criticizing Pope, Church
Interfaith relations thrown into turmoil in country
Vatican calls on UN to drop population control
...and recognize the right to life of the unborn child
'Return to past' is SSPX motto for doctrinal talks
Pope asking Lefebvrists to accept Second Vatican Council
Worldwide annual death toll from abortion: 41.6 mil
Decline of 8.6% from 1994 to 2003
Comedian: End world hunger? Sell the Vatican
Says Pope could be 'biggest hero in the history of ever'
Miami priest appointed to head Colorado diocese
Bishop-elect Fernando Isern, 51, was born in Havana, Cuba
Priest sues Reno diocese after dismissal by bishop
...for seeking a protective order against a deacon
Dioceses settle abuse case by Baton Rouge bishop
Insurer is paying for the entire $225,000 settlement
October 15
US bishops to get tough on condoms, gay culture?
Forthcoming pastoral letter to address marriage issues
African cardinals denounce 'cultural imperialism'
West's promotion of abortion destroying moral fabric
Ill. Supreme Court won't let priest sue accusers
Cleric contends brothers made false, defamatory allegations
Pro-choice groups battling Catholic hospital
Planned expansion would not include abortion facilities
Assailants fire on Catholic seminary in Honduras
No one reported injured in the drive-by shooting
Catholic, a chemist, but he won't sell the Pill
Also removed condoms from his pharmacy's shopfront
Philippines asks rebels to help free Irish priest
Cleric kidnapped by outlaws, not Muslim extremists
Finnish bishop warns Lutherans of potential rift
...should they choose to bless same-sex marriages
India rejects Albania's demand for Mother Teresa
She was Indian citizen 'and she is resting in her own country'
October 14
Vatican paper: Nobel Prize for Obama 'premature'
Article highlights President's abortion stance
Indian bishops issue warning on 'love jihad'
Islamic strategy to convert young women through marriage
Bishops aim for a pastoral way to say 'No'
Will document be full of 'sweeping denunciations'?
Pro-gay marriage ad features Catholic mom
'Marriage to me is a great institution that works'
Archbishop: Iraq has been a 'country of martyrs'
Diocese remembers the massacre of Christians in 409 AD
Pope to visit Rome synagogue in January
To show 'personal nearness' to the Jewish community
African bishops lament 'onslaught on family'
...by sources outside the world's poorest continent
Army: Kansas priest worthy of Medal of Honor
Rev. Emil Kapaun died in a prison camp in 1951
White House: Bishops have misinterpreted law
Spokesman says they're wrong about funding of abortion
October 13
Jesus image 'arrested' in front of abortion clinic
Blasphemous 'middle finger' Christ back on display
Michigan bishop nixes Bishop Gumbleton appearance
'His presence in Marquette would not be helpful to me'
African nuns tell Vatican they want more influence
Say they don't want to be left to clean and mend
Father Damian among newly canonized saints
Others include French nun, Polish bishop, two Spaniards
Is Michael Moore promoting Leo XIII encyclical?
Filmmaker's 'fury' straight out of Rerum Novarum
Catholic bishops congratulate Obama on Nobel
Cardinal George trumpets President's accomplishments
Churches don't want flocks to be touched by flu
Handshaking and Communion from 'common cup' discouraged
Relics of St Therese of Lisieux arrive in London
100,000 pilgrims expected to view remains of Carmelite
Cardinal calls priests in Ars to love enemies
O'Malley reflects on the legend of St. Jerome
October 12
Child-porn bishop travelled to Thailand
Itinerary may have been factor for customs' check
Barack Obama wows homosexual rights activists
"I will end don't ask-don't tell," President vows
Irish octogenarian priest kidnapped in Philippines
No group taking responsibility, Muslim militants feared
Anonymous nun: Why is Vatican investigating us?
Why are American sisters being singled out?
Survey: Majority continues to support civil unions
Most Americans still oppose same-sex marriage
Pope to Africa: Beware of West's 'toxic waste'
Urges bishops to tap into strengths of their own culture
Vatican appreciates Obama receiving Nobel Prize
For efforts 'to promote peace in the international arena'
Anglican church nixes power from women bishops
Congregations will get option to insist on male clergy
Catholic bishops to dems: Ban abortion funding
...if you want health-reform support
October 9
Planned Parenthood testing birth control on girls
Government-funded trials have involved 13-year-olds
Irish Catholic bishops meet child-abuse victims
Didn't address demand for Church to admit responsibility
Bishop says Africa faces second colonization
Denounces liberalism, secularism, and UN lobbyists
IRA dissidents shoot Northern Ireland man in legs
Masked gang carries out so-called 'punishment' attack
Christians fleeing northern Iraq city of Kirkuk
Archbishop says security situation deteriorating
Chaput's 'bombshell article' makes waves in Rome
Archbishop criticizes churchmen who praise Obama
Suit: Town hall's 10 Commandments unconstitutional
Man offended by displays of 'religious fables and myths'
Nova Scotia man sues dioceses over alleged abuse
Pulls out of class-action lawsuit to file his own
Catholic priest seeks custody of daughter
Met girl's mother when she worked at Porky's as stripper
October 8
Cardinal O'Malley praises liberal nun squad
'Leadership Conference' under investigation by Vatican
Experts: Dissident US nuns unlikely to change
Even in face of Vatican inquiry and shrinking numbers
Catholic bishops backtrack on Jewish conversion
'Interfaith dialogue' not to be used to proselytize
Supreme Court nixes priest's appeal in nun killing
Toledo cleric sentenced to 15 years to life in prison
Vatican ruling on Medjugorje shrine expected soon
Is alleged apparition site worthy of Catholic devotion?
George: Catholics focus too much on bishops
Cardinal provides critique of liberals, conservative
Italian scientists claim to have reproduced Shroud
Experts point out essential differences from original
Supreme Court takes up case of Cross on public land
Federal court rulings say it violates First Amendment
Richmond diocese rejects Pax Christi kickoff event
Retired Bishop Walter Sullivan was featured speaker
October 7
Catholic priests try disco dancing at Mass
Warning: strong stomachs needed [video link]
Conn. bishop says abuse is in Church's past
Court refuses to block release of diocesan records
Underground Chinese bishop dies at age 91
Imprisoned for 16 years in forced labor camp
Suspended priest spared jail in embezzlement case
$213,732 swiped from cleric's parish has been repaid
Chaput responds to Cardinal on Notre Dame scandal
Archbishop of Denver contests pro-Obama assertions
Polanski case sparks noisy culture debate
Fugitive director's case gains new fame
Gambler swindled nearly $500,000 from priest
Woman pleads guilty to obtaining property by deception
African cardinal: Condoms not reliable to fight HIV
Church to continue to promote abstinence, fidelity
Suspect in murder of prolifer unfit to stand trial
Man will be remanded to State Dept of Mental Health
Bishop porn issue known to Church in 1989
Canadian priest alerted leading NB prelate of issue
October 6
Archbishop of Halifax: 'my heart is broken'
Says he has 'silently screamed' in aftermath of scandal
Diocese won't pay child-porn bishop's court costs
Lahey has not even requested Church to meet legal fees
NH judge upholds 'under God' phrase in Pledge
Throws out atheist activist's lawsuit
Pope says 'spiritual garbage' is poisoning Africa
Ululating singers filled basilica with African hymns
Christian nurse killed in Iraq worries others
Police discover corpse, which showed 'signs of torture'
Top Africa cardinal: Next pope could be black
...particularly following election of Barack Obama
Belgium, Honolulu bishop celebrate 'leper priest'
Father Damien of Molokai to be canonized next week
Catholic U. president plans to resign in August
O'Connell known for reinvigorating school's Catholic identity
Aussie nun: Earthquake not divine intervention
'We don't really know why this sort of thing happens'
October 5
Pastors packing heat in Detroit pulpits
Shepherds watch over their flocks, even with guns
At synod, Pope warns of perils facing Africa
At risk from materialism, nihilism, and fundamentalism
Virgin Mary statue 'weeps' at Donegal shrine
Pilgrims to Irish grotto also see crosses in night sky
Was child-porn bishop subject of criminal manhunt?
Why was Canadian prelate's laptop searched at airport?
Mayor doesn't want child porn bishop in town
'He's in my backyard. I don't like it at all'
Vatican priest in red-light-area car chase
Said he thought plain-clothes police were robbers
Child sacrifice rises in Uganda as famine looms
Surge in deaths among poor linked to witch-doctors
Queen 'appalled' at Anglicans, claim Vatican moles
Elizabeth II increasingly sympathetic with Pope?
Latest survey: support for abortion slipping
Americans now 'evenly divided' on life issue
October 2
Nova Scotians shocked by charges against bishop
Faces charges of possessing, importing child pornography
DNA test confirms case against nun's attacker
Man is serving life sentence plus 60 years in prison
Maciel and the Legion a problem for the Vatican
Editorial: 'shut down this sick operation forever'
Vatican Bank has new laissez-faire president
Staunch proponent of capitalism inspired by Christianity
Doctors let 'suicide woman' die, feared charges
Did 'living will' mean they could be prosecuted?
Suspected IRA dissident detained over cop killing
Officer shot in head in Catholic part of Belfast
Even non-believers flock to St. Therese relics
'Quiet reverence mixed with understated polite excitement'
Altar boy takes stand in priest sex abuse trial
Testifies she saw cleric grab boy by genitals at school
Pope to visit Mediterranean nation of Cyprus
May be venue for meeting with Orthodox patriarch
October 1
Canadian bishop charged with child pornography
Lahey arrested at Ottawa airport, laptop computer searched
Pope ends Czech visit with warning about power
Urges the unbelieving to wake up from 'collective apathy'
Recession delivers double blow to many charities
Some employees forced to become social service clients
Atheist Czechs impressed by Pope Benedict XVI
Pontiff even wins respect of President Vaclav Klaus
Church arsonist given minimum sentence
Parishioners request leniency for Missouri convict
Catholic bosses tell employee: 'remove cross'
Australian objects to 'blatant religious discrimination'
Vatican representative calls for reform of UN
Archbishop criticizes aggressive family-planning ventures
Priest abuse trial opens in Vermont
Diocese blames its bad decisions on doctors' advice
America magazine loves Weakland's homo-memoir
Disgraced archbishop's book given glowing review
September 2009 links...
