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Baltimore archdiocese bankruptcy nears critical mediation phase following last-minute deal with insurers
BALTIMORE — The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case moved closer to the critical mediation phase Monday, as attorneys for the Catholic Church, its insurance carriers and a committee of sex abuse survivors reached a tentative agreement on the terms for upcoming negotiations.
The agreement is tentative because the lawyers still need ...Read more
Why is the Bible not considered one of the great literary works that society is so proud of?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: As a literature teacher, it is stunning to read the great literary works that society is so proud of, yet the Bible – the bestselling book of all time – is set aside as archaic and culturally outdated. While the Bible contains a great deal of tragedy, it also contains beautiful poetry, amazing ...Read more
Why do evangelists emphasize God’s love, seldom speaking of the sinful nature of mankind?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Why do evangelists emphasize God’s love, seldom speaking of the sinful nature of mankind? My grandfather was a circuit-riding preacher. As a young boy I can remember the fear he put into the hearts of those listening to his sermons, but I can also remember the altar being filled at the end of the ...Read more
What can I do or say to relieve my dying mother's suffering?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I’m sitting with my dying mother day after day, having no idea how much time she has left. I wish there was something I could do or say to relieve her suffering. – S.S.
A: A dear lady wrote about her invalid mother who was suffering on a hospital bed in the last stages of cancer. She did not ...Read more
The God Squad: Three souls in Heaven?
Q: I have been reading your God Squad column for many years. Before that, I remember listening to you and Father Tom Hartman on the radio for many years. I have enjoyed both venues.
Your columns are frequently very moving and thought provoking. Your birthday message to Father Tom was both! I cannot begin to come up with a non-spooky explanation...Read more
Which of us should stay home for our kids?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: My husband and I are struggling with the question of leaving our children in the hands of after-school programs as we pursue our careers that allow us to provide for them. We look around and see the instability of families these days and wonder if we should consider another kind of stability – for...Read more
What’s the real story on angelic appearances?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Our Bible study group has been reading about the appearances of angels in the Bible and comparing them to the entertainment world’s depiction of angels as in the latest movie Ordinary Angels. Pop culture does seem to have a fascination with angels, but we think they’ve missed the mark ...Read more
As critics decry religion in classrooms, some fear how far Florida will go
Oklahoma is mandating Bible lessons in public schools. Louisiana is requiring display of the 10 commandments in classrooms.
As the national debate churns over the role of religion in public schools, Florida, too, stands near the center of the storm.
Its law to permit chaplains in classrooms, which took effect July 1, has gained wide attention ...Read more
Will liberals ever understand about freedom of choice?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Liberals and conservatives continue bickering about freedom of choice. It’s an endless and unwinnable controversy; something for the talking heads to debate and a tiring subject that has no purposeful outcome. History shows that people are going to do what they want, so we might as well learn to ...Read more
New sex abuse allegations surface against ex-KCK priest who did prison time years ago
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — New substantiated sexual abuse allegations have surfaced against a former priest in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas who served prison time after being convicted in 2002 of indecent liberties with a child, church officials say.
“With deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse, the Archdiocese...Read more
What government will be upon His shoulder?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I dread election years because I’m faced with which candidate is “less godless.” That’s what it’s come down to. In seeking direction from the Lord through the Bible, I came across this reference, which I’ve heard all my life, but have never understood: “The government will be upon His ...Read more
How in the world could I ever serve Christ?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: How in the world could I ever serve Christ? I live alone and am disabled. My church is by way of television and my closest neighbor is two miles away. I barely have enough money to survive. I do have a heart for other people and desire to do something, but what hope could I ever have of reaching out...Read more
The God Squad: A song from Heaven?
Q: Twenty-seven years ago my secretary introduced me to a woman at a line dancing bar and I immediately fell in love. I realized immediately that if I wanted to win this woman’s hand, I would have to learn to line dance. I didn’t even know country music.
For weeks I practiced line dancing with this woman in my condo using only one dance and...Read more
Baltimore archbishop, chair of abuse survivors committee strike unified tone on bankruptcy case
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Archbishop William Lori struck a unified tone with the chair of the committee representing sex abuse victims in the Catholic Church’s bankruptcy case at a news conference Monday, as both men acknowledged the number of survivors who filed claims is not yet known.
Lori and Paul Jan Zdunek, chair of the creditor’s ...Read more
Carlo Acutis, 'God's influencer,' to be first millennial Catholic saint
In the Catholic faith, sainthood is reserved for those who have lived a life of heroic virtues, acted as a martyr or taken part in miracles. The designation typically comes after the person has been dead for decades, even hundreds of years.
That changed last week, when Pope Francis recognized the first saint of the millennial generation in the ...Read more
Warnock in Sunday sermon warns of kings in wake of U.S. Supreme Court ruling
During his Sunday sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock spoke out against the U.S. Supreme Court ruling about presidential immunity, saying the court is “mired in corruption” and encouraged his flock to pray, organize and vote.
“I came to warn you we are in dangerous territory,” Warnock said. “If ever we needed ...Read more
The God Squad: ‘We hold these truths to be sacred’
I believe this Independence Day that the way to bring America together now is to remember what brought America together then.
What is not widely known is that the preamble to the Declaration of Independence we think Jefferson wrote is not in fact the preamble he actually wrote. This is what we think he wrote:
“We hold ...Read more
As the Catholic Church and its insurer fight over paying abuse victims, a new group sparks questions
As the Archdiocese of New York and its insurance company, Chubb, battle over who is responsible for millions in potential payouts to survivors of clergy sexual abuse, a new group has entered the picture.
Announcing its presence in November with a full page ad in The New York Times, the Coalition for Just and Compassionate Compensation, which ...Read more
The God Squad: Juneteenth for us all
Last week I used the holiday of Eid a-Adha to atone for shortcomings in my column caused by the fact that I am not Muslim. This week I want to continue my atonement tour to remind you dear readers that I am also not Black.
Last week on Wednesday, June 19, African-Americans celebrated Juneteenth. All of America should have been ...Read more
'Even the largest churches can fall': Will Texas' Gateway Church survive the Robert Morris sex abuse scandal?
FORT WORTH, Texas — Southlake’s Gateway Church is reeling from the shocking child sex abuse allegations against its founder Robert Morris, prompting questions of how one of the country’s largest churches will weather the scandal.
Morris resigned from the church last week after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused a 12-year-old ...Read more
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