By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press ROME (AP) — The Vatican opened a three-day conference Thursday on rebooting the Catholic priesthood amid a drop in vocations and a credibility crisis over the “depraved" clergy sex abuse and cover-up scandal. The conference's organizer, Cardinal Marc Ouellet, said the symposium's aim is to break down a “clericalized” concept of the … [Read more...] about Vatican Tries to Reboot Priesthood Amid Crisis Over Abuses
Church
Judge Told Release of Insurance Info OK in Clergy Abuse Case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A federal judge has been told that Archdiocese of Santa Fe records that would indicate how much insurance money is available to help pay a settlement of clergy sex abuse claims can be made public if they are redacted to withhold victims' identities. The archdiocese previously asked Judge David T. Thuma to seal the records, saying that releasing them … [Read more...] about Judge Told Release of Insurance Info OK in Clergy Abuse Case
Greg Locke Claims a Devil Told Him About Six Witches in His Church, Another Who Leads Worship at Nashville Megachurch
This past Sunday, Global Vision Bible Church pastor Greg Locke continued his sermon series “Desperate for Deliverance,” claiming a devil inside a woman’s body had identified six witches who have infiltrated his congregation. Locke also claims that this devil told him about a lead vocalist at a megachurch in the Nashville area, someone whom Locke claims is a … [Read more...] about Greg Locke Claims a Devil Told Him About Six Witches in His Church, Another Who Leads Worship at Nashville Megachurch
#ItalyChurchToo: Abuse Survivors Demand Italy Church Inquiry
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press ROME (AP) Advocates for victims of sex abuse by Italian clergy launched a campaign Tuesday to demand a cover-up inquiry, lamenting that deference showed the Catholic Church hierarchy in Italy has conditioned everything from criminal prosecutions to media coverage of the problem. A consortium of groups said they hoped recent national … [Read more...] about #ItalyChurchToo: Abuse Survivors Demand Italy Church Inquiry
Texas Pastor Has ‘Incredible’ Honor of Baptizing the Sister of His Heart Donor
Every baptism is special to Marvin Baucom, pastor of Corinth Baptist Church in Cisco, Texas. But last month the Texas pastor had the “incredible” honor of baptizing what he calls his “heart sister.” The reason for that name? The heart of the girl’s deceased brother now beats inside the pastor’s chest. Texas Pastor Has Heartfelt Bond With Donor’s Family In … [Read more...] about Texas Pastor Has ‘Incredible’ Honor of Baptizing the Sister of His Heart Donor