Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Catholic archdiocese can fire teacher who entered same-sex marriage, Indiana Supreme Court rules
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis can fire parochial school teachers in same-sex marriages or who otherwise don't live by church teachings, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday. Published August 31, 2022
Silent prayer OK outside abortion counseling office, German court rules
A three-year battle over silent prayer near an abortion-counseling facility in Germany took a new turn Wednesday when a regional court ruled in favor of pro-life protesters. Published August 31, 2022
Photographer can’t be forced to shoot same-sex weddings, federal judge rules
The city of Louisville, Kentucky, can't bar a photographer from limiting her wedding photography business to opposite-sex couples or from explaining why her religious beliefs compel her to turn down same-sex wedding assignments, a federal district court ruled Tuesday. Published August 30, 2022
Bible viewpoint strongest in independent churches, survey data finds
Christians looking for a biblical worldview are much more likely to find it preached at a non-denominational church, a new study revealed Tuesday. Published August 30, 2022
Federal court asked to block Michigan enforcement of gender identity care rules at Christian clinic
A faith-based Michigan health care operation filed suit Monday to block new state-mandated rules on transgender care that the nonprofit organization says would force its staff and caregivers to violate their religious beliefs. Published August 29, 2022
Jewish university asks high court to freeze order approving gay student group on campus
Lawyers for America's oldest Jewish university on Monday asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a case pitting its understanding of the Hebrew scriptures against a state court order compelling the school to grant official recognition of a campus gay pride group. Published August 29, 2022
Donate, advocate, pray for ‘creation care,’ evangelical group says in new report
Evangelical Christians should reduce their carbon footprints, donate to climate relief efforts and urge their government leaders to support environmental initiatives, according to a Monday report from the National Association of Evangelicals that tells followers to take climate change seriously. Published August 29, 2022
Catholic dioceses’ pronoun, gender rules cheer conservatives, sadden transgender allies
An official statement stating its parochial school students will have to conform to the gender with which they're born or leave school has put Omaha's Roman Catholic archdiocese squarely in the middle of a raging national debate over gender, identity and faith. Published August 26, 2022
Pope Francis won’t see Russian Orthodox leader who plans to skip September summit
Pope Francis will not have an anticipated mid-September sitdown with Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill, the Moscow cleric's second-in-command said Wednesday. Published August 25, 2022
Religious freedom ‘does not exist’ in Afghanistan one year after Taliban takeover, advocates say
Freedom to practice one's faith "does not exist in Afghanistan anymore" one year after the return to power of the radical Islamist Taliban, an advocate told the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom during a Wednesday hearing. Published August 24, 2022
Ex-postal worker told to work on Sundays asks Supreme Court to review religious-exemption rules
A seven-year U.S. Postal Service veteran who said he had to resign when he did not get an exemption from working on Sundays, which he observes as the Sabbath, has asked the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of a Third Circuit Court of Appeals' rejection of his claims. Published August 23, 2022
‘Left Behind’ author Jenkins banks on power of story for new Christian thriller
Jerry Jenkins, co-author of the megaselling "Left Behind" series of apocalyptic novels, expresses a firm belief in his evangelical faith -- and in the power of fiction to communicate biblical themes. Published August 23, 2022
Jehovah’s Witness member faces S. Korea trial over conscientious objection, military service refusal
Hye-min Kim, a South Korean whose Jehovah's Witness beliefs won't allow him to complete the nation's mandatory 18-month military service -- or perform alternative service behind prison walls for twice as long -- will get his day in court Tuesday, supporters said. Published August 22, 2022
Russian Orthodox priest’s defamation suit can proceed, federal court rules
A federal appeals court has ruled that a Russian Orthodox priest can sue the people he claims libeled him and tarnished his reputation in that faith community. Published August 18, 2022
Bible, illustrated Anne Frank’s Diary pulled from suburban Dallas school libraries
A suburban Dallas school district pulled copies of the Bible and a graphic novel version of "Anne Frank's Diary," among other books, one day before classes began. Published August 17, 2022
Mormon church President Nelson rededicates D.C. Temple
The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rededicated its temple in Kensington, Maryland, on Sunday. Published August 14, 2022
DOJ opens sex abuse investigation into Southern Baptists, subpoenas leaders
The Justice Department has started an investigation into sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention, and the executive committee of the United States' largest Protestant denomination has received a federal subpoena in connection with the probe, the group said Friday. Published August 12, 2022
Christians in Taiwan fear ‘severe’ persecution should China conquer island, advocates say
"Severe" targeting of Christians will be near the top of China's agenda should the People's Liberation Army succeed in conquering Taiwan following an invasion, several experts said this week. Published August 12, 2022
Protestant churchgoers are drawn to ‘idols’ of comfort, security and money
Protestant pastors are seeing a new form of idolatry taking hold of their congregations. Published August 10, 2022
Liberty University begins presidential search, two years after Falwell’s resignation
Liberty University, the evangelical school in Lynchburg, Virginia, said Wednesday it's beginning a formal search for a new president. Published August 10, 2022
