Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Christian affiliation dominates roster of 118th Congress; majority is Protestant
A higher percentage of members of the 118th Congress, 88%, identify as Christian than the share of Christians in the U.S. population, which stands at 63%, a Pew Research Center analysis revealed Tuesday. Published January 3, 2023
Benedict remembered as humble scholar, not ‘God’s Rottweiler’
Critics of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who in 2005 became Pope Benedict XVI and who shocked the Catholic Church by resigning eight years later, called him the "Panzer Cardinal" or "God's Rottweiler" after the pugnacious dog breed. Published December 31, 2022
Benedict XVI, first Roman Catholic pope to resign in 600 years, dies days after illness disclosed
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the longtime theologian and defender of the Catholic faith who in 2013 became the first Roman Catholic Church global leader in 600 years to resign, died Saturday morning Dec. 31 at the Vatican. Published December 31, 2022
Russians increasingly cracking down on Jehovah’s Witnesses; 115 in prison
Russia kept cracking down on Jehovah's Witnesses in 2022, the group said, sentencing 45 members of the movement to prison, a 40% increase over the 32 sentenced in 2021. Published December 30, 2022
Benedict ‘stable’ as special Mass for ailing retired pontiff planned in Rome
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is "stable," the official Vatican News agency reported Friday, hours before a special Mass was to be said in Rome for his health. Published December 30, 2022
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI ‘very sick,’ Pope Francis asks for ‘special prayers’
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is "very sick" and needs prayer, his successor Pope Francis said Wednesday. Published December 28, 2022
‘The Chosen,’ streaming series on Jesus, scores big in third season, producers and critics say
"The Chosen," the streaming series about the life of Jesus that's become a runaway hit, has developed some transitions in its third season, both in the story and how the show is funded. Published December 28, 2022
Outgoing Georgia Rep. Jody Hice to join evangelical advocacy group for senior adviser role
The Family Research Council said Tuesday that outgoing Rep. Jody Hice, Georgia Republican, will join the conservative Christian organization in January as a senior adviser to longtime President Tony Perkins. Published December 27, 2022
Court rules Marine Corps must admit Sikh members recruits with faith-required hair, beards
A federal appeals court has ruled that members of the Sikh faith can maintain their beards and serve in the Marine Corps, capping a two-year legal battle. Published December 23, 2022
Defrocked pro-life Catholic priest predicts church will move to excommunicate him
Defrocked Catholic priest Frank Pavone, one of the most prominent pro-life activists in the U.S., predicted Thursday that the dispute with his superiors that led to his dismissal as a cleric last week will likely end with his excommunication from the church. Published December 22, 2022
Salvation Army kettles down 8% as high-demand holiday draws near, official says
The Salvation Army said Wednesday that donations at its red kettles are down 8% this year while the organization is also facing higher operating costs and a dramatic jump in demand for its services. Published December 21, 2022
‘Poirot’ actor David Suchet says audio Bible recording is his legacy for the world
David Suchet's television legacy may center on his portrayal of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, the fastidious Belgian detective who relied on his brain's "little gray cells" to solve crimes. Published December 21, 2022
American Jewish community’s support helps Ukrainian Jews, refugees keep lights on for Hanukkah
While millions of Jews around the world are lighting menorahs nightly this week to commemorate an ancient miracle, those in war-ravaged Ukraine are seeking another kind of light. Published December 20, 2022
Defrocked pro-life Catholic priest still has no reason for dismissal, aide says
An aide to Frank Pavone, a pro-life leader whose dismissal from the Roman Catholic priesthood became known Saturday, said Monday that the ex-priest still hasn't received a formal notice of his removal from ministry. Published December 19, 2022
![Great American Family is in 50 million homes via cable, “which is just about 60% of the linear [television] landscape,” which is defined as scheduled programming as opposed to on-demand services, network CEO Bill Abbott (pictured) said. (Photo courtesy of GAF)](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2022/12/19/Bill_Abbott_FINAL_c0-273-1600-1205_s652x380.jpg?dc241a97972df6dd0db618ead7e7c37f2cdac2a8)
Great American Family provides wholesome fare to ‘underserved audience,’ network CEO says
Great American Family, or GAF, is an 18-month-old venture celebrating "American culture, lifestyle and heritage with original holiday-themed, family-friendly movies and series." Published December 19, 2022
Pope has resignation letter signed if his duty impaired ‘in case of impediment for medical reasons’
Pope Francis has a pre-signed resignation letter stored with a top aide should he be unable to fulfill his duties, he told a Spanish newspaper this weekend. Published December 18, 2022
Orthodox Jewish university must recognize LGBTQ+ student club, New York appeals panel says
Yeshiva University said Thursday evening it will challenge a New York State Supreme Court appellate panel ruling that says the Orthodox Jewish university, which requires all students to take classes in the Torah, is not a "religious corporation" and must officially recognize an LGBTQ+ student club to which it has faith-based objections. Published December 16, 2022
Texas nurse sues VA over abortion provision rule, wants religious exemption
A nurse practitioner has filed a federal lawsuit against a Veterans Affairs center in Texas, saying the Biden administration's new rule authorizing abortion services at VA facilities violates her religious liberty. Published December 15, 2022
Intolerance, overturning of Roe lead to dramatic rise in attacks on churches, study reveals
The advocacy group said 137 attacks on churches were reported in 2022. Published December 14, 2022
Biden administration gives up the fight over gender identity workplace rules
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday declared his state was safe from "woke gender theories" after a deadline passed for the Biden administration to appeal a federal court ruling striking down workplace rules for sexual orientation and gender identity. Published December 13, 2022
