Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Pope Francis may visit Kyiv amid fighting, Ukrainian envoy says
Pope Francis might visit the war-torn Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and would expect Russia to cease hostilities for the visit, media reports indicate. Published April 8, 2022
Prosecutors appeal ‘hate speech’ exoneration of politician who quoted Bible on homosexuality
Attorneys for Finnish lawmaker Paivi Rasanen, cleared last month of hate-speech charges in connection with her comments on the Bible and homosexuality, were told Wednesday that prosecutors will appeal the ruling. Published April 7, 2022
First-class letter rate to hit 60 cents in July, U.S. Postal Service says
For the second time in less than a year, the U.S. Postal Service announced an increase in the cost to send a one-ounce first-class letter. Published April 7, 2022
Generation Z is finding faith, but falling away from religious affiliation
Making direct connections to young adults aged 13 to 25 is needed to help members of Generation Z overcome mental health issues and form sound spiritual connections, the executive director of a research group studying the cohort said Wednesday. Published April 6, 2022
Pope Francis kisses Ukrainian flag from Bucha, site of Russian ‘massacre’
Pope Francis on Wednesday kissed a Ukrainian flag sent to him from Bucha, the Kyiv suburb where mass graves and bodies in the street were discovered after Russian invaders retreated last week. Published April 6, 2022
Illinois church touts ‘Fasting From Whiteness’ as Lent 2022 observance
A United Church of Christ congregation in suburban Chicago says it is "Fasting From Whiteness" during Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter. Published April 5, 2022
Tim Kaine roots for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, end of the filibuster
Sen. Tim Kaine told an audience at Virginia Theological Seminary on Monday he was excited about the prospect of four women justices on the Supreme Court if, as expected, federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is confirmed this week for the high court. Published April 4, 2022
Religious smartphone apps promote prayer, meditation — and falling asleep
A pair of Christian-oriented smartphone apps aim to move users closer to God -- and even help believers fall asleep at night. Published April 4, 2022
School district argues football coach’s postgame prayer pressured students
Attorneys for the school district in Washington state that fired an associate football coach who continued to pray at the 50-yard line following games after being told to stop said Friday the Supreme Court should reject the coach's appeal because he pressured students on the team to pray with him. Published April 1, 2022
D.C. church focuses Sunday message on helping former prisoners
The National Community Church, a multisite congregation based in the District, has a timely message planned for its members this Sunday: Give former prisoners a second chance. Published March 31, 2022
Most Americans view ‘religious’ COVID vaccine exemption claims as bogus, study finds
Slightly more than two-thirds of American adults surveyed say those invoking a "religious exemption" to COVID-19 vaccine mandates are making dubious claims, a new survey revealed Thursday, but an almost equal number say the objectors should keep their jobs. Published March 31, 2022
Evangelical politician, Bishop in Finland cleared of ‘hate speech’ charges over remarks on gays
A court in Helsinki on Wednesday dismissed all charges against a member of Finland's Parliament and an evangelical bishop who were each accused of hate speech for expressing biblical views about homosexuality. Published March 30, 2022
Federal judge in Texas broadens vaccine-exemption lawsuit against Navy
A federal judge in Texas has expanded a lawsuit against the Navy over religious exemptions to the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, as well as a temporary injunction blocking the Navy from requiring service members to take the jab. Published March 29, 2022
Fox News’ Bream combines Christian upbringing, research skills in new book
Fox News legal eagle Shannon Bream says her new book, "The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak: Lessons on Faith from Nine Biblical Families," reflects both her evangelical Christian experience and the research skills she honed in law school. Published March 29, 2022
Jehovah’s Witnesses to resume in-person meetings April 1
The 1.3 million U.S. members of the Jehovah's Witnesses will do something this week they haven't done for more than two years: meet in person. Published March 28, 2022
Pope Francis pleads for world to erase war before it erases human history
Pope Francis on Sunday issued an urgent plea for humanity "to abolish war, to erase it from human history before it erases human history," marking one month of fighting in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Published March 27, 2022
Youngkin calls being Va. governor ‘absolute affirmation of my faith’ at Liberty University talk
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told thousands of Liberty University students Friday that passing "the most amazing job interview you can possibly imagine," as he called his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, and now serving in Richmond, "has been an absolute affirmation of my faith." Published March 25, 2022
Evangelical TV network TBN to launch nightly news/analysis show
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is set to launch on Monday a nightly news and analysis program that offers facts followed by Bible-backed commentary. Published March 24, 2022
Churches reopen, but congregants are missing, new study reveals
There may be a church, and it may have a steeple. But open the post-pandemic doors and there are likely far fewer people inside, a new survey revealed Wednesday. Published March 23, 2022
Megachurch co-founder in Australia resigns over inappropriate behavior
Brian Houston, the co-founder of Hillsong Church, which operates an international Pentecostal network, has resigned as global senior pastor, the Australia-based church announced Wednesday. Published March 23, 2022
