Monthly Archives: October 2009

Rhoades up for bishops’ committee seat

Posted on October 27, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has been nominated to chair one of the 16 standing committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops when the bishops meet in Baltimore starting Nov. 16. Rhoades is in … Continue reading →

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New executive for Donegal Presbytery

Posted on October 27, 2009 by melissa nann burke

The regional presbytery that includes York County has hired a new executive presbyter, the Rev. Dr. Erin S. Cox-Holmes. She starts Jan. 1. The Rev. Charlie Gross, associate presbyter, has been acting as head of staff for the three-county Presbytery … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Mainline Protestants | 1 Comment

Sightings: Anglicans and Rome

Posted on October 26, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Religion scholar Martin Marty’s latest Sightings column focuses on the big Anglican-Catholic news of last week. An excerpt: “Some of the only half-gruntled Anglicans have uttered some “not-so-fast!” or “count-me-out!” cautions. As one leader among them reminded, “there was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglicanism, Catholicism | 2 Comments

Anglo-Catholics heading for Rome

Posted on October 22, 2009 by melissa nann burke

If you missed the news yesterday, the Vatican is going to allow flocks of Anglo-Catholics to enter the Church of Rome, while retaining elements of their own rites, music and tradition. Some follow-ups and reaction today: – The invitation extends … Continue reading →

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Grace, good works and heaven

Posted on October 20, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Ten years ago, Lutherans and Catholics signed a document resolving a dispute that was at the heart of the Reformation. The issue was the nature of justification — generally, the importance of faith and good works to one’s salvation. On … Continue reading →

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Schism? Atheists disagree on approach

Posted on October 19, 2009 by melissa nann burke

What will the future of atheism look like? Some folks (Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, et al) promote a more aggressive, belittling approach toward the faith-minded. I recommend an interesting story from NPR on the growing divide among non-believers. An excerpt: … Continue reading →

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Town settles with Pa. church over shelter case

Posted on October 15, 2009 by melissa nann burke

The town of Brookville, Jefferson County, tried to shut down a church-run homeless shelter citing zoning code violations. Now it’s paying the church and its lawyers $100,000 to settle a lawsuit. “I’m just thankful,” the Rev. Jack Wisor, pastor of … Continue reading →

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Pennsylvania bishops on health-care reform

Posted on October 13, 2009 by melissa nann burke

The bishops of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania spoke out today against the health-care reform bills under consideration by Congress. In part, the bishops said: “We cannot and will not support or urge the Catholic faithful to support reform that … Continue reading →

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Clergy want continued commitment to Darfur

Posted on October 13, 2009 by melissa nann burke

Several clergy from York County are among 1,400 who signed a letter for President Obama earlier this month urging him to seek sustainable peace in Darfur. The Revs. Robert Hoover, Judy McKee, Elizabeth Polanzke, Edgar Reed, Kevin Shively, Patricia Snyder, … Continue reading →

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Film looks at homophobia in rural America

Posted on October 12, 2009 by melissa nann burke

The movie “Out in the Silence,” which screens at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York at 7 tonight, tells the story of what happened when filmmaker Joe Wilson announced his same-sex marriage in two Venango County, Pa., newspapers. Wilson … Continue reading →

Posted in Around Pennsylvania, Film | 1 Comment