Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Waco showdown turns 30, focus of two miniseries
The tragic events at the Branch Davidian religious compound near Waco, Texas, will return to national consciousness next week when the 30th anniversary of the fiery conclusion of a 51-day siege is marked on Wednesday. Published April 14, 2023
Ancient Bible fragment found, confirming Old Syriac version of New Testament gospels
Scholars have discovered a 1,750-year-old portion of the Gospel of Matthew in a "layered" manuscript where the original Old Syriac-language writing had been erased and written over, something also known as a "palimpsest," the Austrian Academy of Sciences announced. Published April 13, 2023
Protestant evangelicals gain share among traditionally Catholic American Hispanics, Pew says
The Catholic Church's hold on the U.S. Hispanic community has declined markedly over the past decade, down from two-thirds of American Latinos in 2010 to just 43% today, according to a new analysis released Thursday. Published April 13, 2023
Walter Reed, under pressure from Congress, says move to push Franciscans out under review
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said Wednesday its decision to hire a secular firm to replace the Franciscan priests who oversee pastoral care in the Bethesda, Maryland, facility is under review. Published April 12, 2023
Walter Reed reviewing disputed Catholic chaplaincy contract, medical center says
Officials at the Defense Health Agency may be looking for a way out of a Catholic chaplaincy services contract for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that has drawn fire from eleven Congressional Republicans. Published April 11, 2023
CAIR says Muslim bias complaints return to pre-Trump levels
Complaints involving bias against American Muslims fell 23% in 2022, the Council on American-Islamic Relations reported Tuesday, 5,156 versus 6,720 the year before. Published April 11, 2023
First-class stamps set to rise 3 cents in July, less than six months after last rate hike
The price of stamps will increase this summer under a plan announced Monday by the U.S. Postal Service, with the cost of mailing a bill or letter rising to 66 cents from the current 63 cents -- less than six months after the last rate hike. Published April 10, 2023
Higher Ground: If Jesus on the cross can forgive, so can we
Most Americans are likely to observe Easter. According to a Lifeway Research survey, 66% say they believe in the biblical accounts of the physical resurrection of Jesus as historical fact. Published April 9, 2023
‘Please Sorry Thanks’ are keys to social grace and healing, District pastor Batterson says
You'd expect Mark Batterson, lead pastor of the District-based National Community Church, to preach the Christian message, and he does. His congregation will host the annual sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. Published April 8, 2023
Americans accept historical reality of the Resurrection of Jesus, but struggle to make it personal
Millions and millions of Americans will commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, but many still struggle to connect an event that they affirm as historically true to their daily lives. Published April 6, 2023
Passover a time for antisemitic attacks, Jewish security experts warn
Jewish institutions need to be vigilant as this year's eight-day Passover celebration begins Wednesday evening, multiple analysts say, due to rising antisemitic incidents in the United States and elsewhere. Published April 5, 2023
New Mexico exempts objecting doctors from aiding in assisted suicides
New Mexico doctors who object to assisting in suicides gained new protections Tuesday when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, signed a bill that lets medical professionals decline to participate for religious or conscience reasons. Published April 5, 2023
Messianic rabbi offers lessons for Christians in Jewish Passover ritual
A Messianic Jewish rabbi says many Christians don't fully understand the connections between the Jewish observance of Passover and the Last Supper of Jesus and the Disciples -- and he aims to illuminate those connections to a broad audience. Published April 4, 2023
Muslim inmate files lawsuit claiming Virginia prison won’t accommodate Ramadan observances
A Muslim inmate at the Green Rock Correctional Center in Chatham, Virginia, is suing for what he claims is the prison's denial of accommodations during Ramadan, a monthlong religious observance that calls for fasting from dawn to sunset. Published April 3, 2023
Liberty U. gets new president three years after scandal-hit leader resigned
Liberty University, the nation's largest evangelical Christian school, has named a new president nearly three years after Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned amid scandal. Published March 31, 2023
Pope Francis, recovering from bronchitis, to leave hospital, attend Holy Week events
Pope Francis, hospitalized with viral bronchitis Wednesday, will be back at the Vatican Saturday and present for Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, his spokesman said Friday. Published March 31, 2023
Minors can’t receive transgender health care as Kentucky legislature overrides governor’s veto
Kentucky's legislature voted Wednesday to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill that bans performing transgender medical procedures on minors such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries. Published March 29, 2023
Pope Francis hospitalized in Rome following chest pains, infection, will remain ‘several days’
Pope Francis, the 86-year-old spiritual leader of the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics, was rushed to a hospital in Rome by ambulance Wednesday, and a spokesman said he will spend "several days" there being treated for a pulmonary infection. Published March 29, 2023
Maine law blocking religious schools from tuition payments is ‘poison pill,’ church says in lawsuit
Maine is being sued over legislation enacted in 2021 that faith-based educators claim is a "poison pill" for religious schools. Published March 28, 2023
More Americans stopped in-person worship than increased attendance during pandemic, Pew says
More Americans say their participation in worship services has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic than say it has increased, according to a new Pew Research study. Published March 28, 2023
