The UN has reported that 2.5 million people have fled their homes. Many are women and children who are fleeing in fear from the ongoing sexual violence against them. The International Rescue Committee reports that those who finally make it into the refugee camps are also victimized.
The Diocese of New Jersey will elect its bishop from a slate that is laudable for its diversity.
The Boy Scouts of America, one of the nation’s largest private youth organizations, is actively considering an end to its decades-long policy of banning gay scouts or scout leaders, according to scouting officials and outsiders familiar with internal discussions.
One day before President Barack Obama is to announce his plans for reforming the nation’s immigration laws, a bipartisan package of reforms is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill.
Observers say the votes of anywhere from a dozen to 18 senators are at stake. Those are the senators who are publicly undecided. To approve the bill, a majority of the 38 senators must vote yes.
The bishops of the Episcopal dioceses in Ohio have written a
Threatened by long-term declining participation in shooting sports, the firearms industry has poured millions of dollars into a broad campaign to ensure its future by getting guns into the hands of more, and younger, children.
Resolved, that the Diocese of Virginia urges the Virginia General Assembly and the Congress of the United States to adopt additional state and federal firearm legislation, including a ban on the future sale of military-style semi-automatic assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and high-impact ammunition, which would promote the safety of God’s children.
“Alper suggests that there is a bell curve where the majority of people are spiritual/religious. On one of the tapering edges of the curve, there are people who are extremely religious, many of whom are martyrs, spiritual leaders, or prophets.”