Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Pope Francis, who died after a cerebral stroke led to heart failure, is mourned worldwide
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke led to heart failure, a seismic and emotional development for the Catholic Church, political leaders and culture writ large. Published April 21, 2025
Faith shaped Jimmy Carter’s presidency and the decades of public life that followed
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States who died Sunday at age 100, may well be remembered as much for his faith as for his politics. Published December 29, 2024
Southern Baptists to address policies on IVF, women pastors at annual meeting
The Southern Baptist Convention will address policies on in vitro fertilization, female pastors and other hot-button topics when it convenes this weekend for its annual business meeting. Published June 6, 2024
Former abortion clinic in Virginia now gives free care to women in crisis pregnancies
Helping women in crisis pregnancies -- and those who lack all of the resources that many take for granted -- is the mission of the Catholic Charities free clinic housed in a former abortion clinic. Published May 31, 2024
United Methodists to lose 12% of global membership as African churches exit over LGBTQ-friendly move
The United Methodist Church is on track to shed roughly 12% of its membership this week when the Eglise Methodiste Unie Cote d'Ivoire (EMUCI) voted Tuesday to leave the 9.9-million-member denomination. Published May 30, 2024
Abuse victims in Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese face midnight Friday deadline to file claims
Midnight Friday is the deadline for sexual abuse victims to add their names to the estimated 485 claims already filed against the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore in bankruptcy court. Published May 30, 2024
Scott Morrison, former Australian prime minister, relied on faith before and after rising to power
Unlike many in office these days, Scott Morrison, the Australian Liberal Party prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been open about his evangelical Christian faith before and after his ascent to high office. Published May 30, 2024
Hope amid darkness is goal of Tennessee pastor’s new TBN program
A Tennessee megachurch pastor believes America needs a dose of hope, so Allen Jackson will launch a weeknight TBN program Monday with just that message. Published May 30, 2024
Second Baptist seminary official named in federal abuse probe
A second former official of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has been identified as one of the leaders at the Texas school under investigation in a probe of 2022 sexual abuse allegations. Published May 29, 2024
California city official’s ban on chaplains praying ‘in Jesus name’ unconstitutional, attorney says
A California city manager's attempt to strike the word "Jesus" from prayers and invocations at public events is unconstitutional, according to an advocate for two chaplains impacted by the ban. Published May 28, 2024
Pope’s use of homophobic slur brings quick apology from Vatican
The Vatican apologized Tuesday for a derogatory comment by Pope Francis to Italian bishops, confirming earlier press reports the 87-year-old spiritual leader used a slur when telling clerics that gay men should not be allowed to enter seminaries and train for the priesthood. Published May 28, 2024
Vatican reinstates Texas nun booted from monastery on adultery charge
The Vatican has reinstated a nun who had been dismissed from her Texas order a year ago over claims she committed adultery, church officials in Fort Worth said this week. Published May 24, 2024
Bible at Elvis Presley’s bedside when he died seeks $37,500 at auction
Elvis Presley's worn, gold-stamped and dog-eared Bible is expected to be sold at auction Saturday in California if a minimum bid of $37,500 can be reached. Published May 24, 2024
Southern Baptist pastor charged with obstructing sex crime probe says he’s innocent
A former Southern Baptist seminary official said Wednesday, "my integrity is everything" and that he is not guilty of federal obstruction of justice charges related to a sexual abuse case at the school's undergraduate college. Published May 23, 2024
Lesbian United Methodist pastor, defrocked in 2004, readmitted to clergy ranks in Pennsylvania
A lesbian United Methodist minister defrocked 20 years ago after saying she was in a "committed relationship with another woman" is again an ordained minister in the denomination. Published May 23, 2024
Thirty years on, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty seeks to protect nation’s ‘first freedom’
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty on Thursday will mark 30 years of court battles to protect what's been called America's "first freedom" via a banquet in New York. Published May 23, 2024
Evangelical pastor/author disputes Pope Francis, says ‘Heaven Awaits’ those who commit to faith
An evangelical pastor and author says Pope Francis' recent comments that people are "fundamentally good" and that "the heart itself is good" represent an "atheistic, humanistic, non-biblical view" that will lead people astray. Published May 22, 2024
Thou shalt post praying George Washington ads, federal judge tells D.C. Metro
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority must accept and run advertisements showing a praying George Washington, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled Tuesday. Published May 21, 2024
Southern Baptist pastor, former seminary official, charged with obstructing federal sex abuse probe
A Southern Baptist pastor in Greensboro, North Carolina, was arraigned in federal district court in New York City Tuesday on charges he falsified records in a sexual abuse case, part of the Justice Department's probe of the nation's largest Protestant denomination. Published May 21, 2024
Nearly 9 in 10 Fortune 500 companies seek religious inclusion in workforce: Report
Nearly 86% of Fortune 500 companies are making religious inclusion part of their diversity goals, according to a new report by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Published May 21, 2024
