Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Black Catholics face faith challenges, defections, but expert sees path to improvement
A new study of Black members of the Roman Catholic Church -- a cohort estimated at 3 million people -- reveals some concerning trends as well as hopeful signs, informed observers said. Published March 22, 2022
Pope Francis asked to mediate Russia-Ukraine war, Zelenskyy says following teleconference
Besieged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke early Tuesday to Pope Francis and pressed him to play a "mediating role" in ending the suffering caused by Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. Published March 22, 2022
Northeast Tennessee city’s crosses face legal challenge, stir offer of counsel
A set of three crosses on a city-owned mountain in Elizabethton, Tennessee, seems primed to trigger a legal challenge and a public-interest law firm has already offered to help defend the decades-old installation. Published March 21, 2022
Cardinal Gregory to lead U.S. Catholic prayers for Russia, Ukraine in District
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, is set to hold a noon Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on March 25 consecrating the warring nations of Russia and Ukraine "to the Immaculate Heart of Mary," following a request from Pope Francis. Published March 18, 2022
Poll: Big split between right and left on requiring religious bakers to make same-sex wedding cakes
Americans who identify as left-leaning overwhelmingly support requiring creative service businesses to accept assignments that some providers see as antithetical to their religious beliefs, according to a new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute, a District-based group. Published March 16, 2022
Pope Francis rebukes Russian Orthodox leader’s defense of Ukraine invasion: reports
Pope Francis issued Wednesday a sharp rebuke of any "religious justification" for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the Vatican and media reports. Published March 16, 2022
U.S. religious freedom watchdog warns of significant oppression if Russia gains Ukraine
Religious communities in Ukraine "will likely be targeted with violence and oppression" should Russia gain control of Ukraine, a federal commission on religious freedom has warned. Published March 16, 2022
D.C. Jewish community providing aid to Ukrainian refugees
The CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington visited the Poland-Ukraine border Tuesday as part of his group's efforts to raise funds for the 1.5 million refugees who have fled to Poland. Published March 16, 2022
Two top ex-execs at Christianity Today sexually harassed staffers, magazine says
Two top executives of evangelical magazine Christianity Today committed "unchecked" sexual harassment of colleagues over the course of a dozen years, the publication said Tuesday. Published March 15, 2022
Michigan group advocates ‘sharing’ of spiritual heritage
A private spiritual foundation in Michigan has released a report hailing innovations that connect the unaffiliated with a faith community's "heritage," if not an established organization. Published March 15, 2022
Navy SEALs ask Supreme Court to end vaccine exemption punishment
Attorneys for 35 Navy SEALs and other special warfare personnel asked the Supreme Court on Monday to reject a Biden administration emergency motion seeking a stay of a preliminary injunction protecting the warriors from punishment for objecting to the Defense Department's vaccine mandate on religious grounds. Published March 14, 2022
Pope Francis pleads with Putin to stop war in Ukraine
Pope Francis directly addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, pleading Sunday for an end to the invasion of Ukraine. Published March 13, 2022
‘Messianic Rabbi’ brings Jewish perspective to Christian faith
Jason Sobel is not your typical rabbi. Published March 11, 2022
Episcopal leader tells Putin to end Ukraine invasion
The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin should stop his country's invasion of Ukraine and "sit at the table of brotherhood" to resolve the conflict. Published March 11, 2022
Actor/producer Kirk Cameron hosts new talk show, promises guests a ‘no gotcha’ zone
Actor/producer Kirk Cameron, who rose to fame as a teen heartthrob in the sitcom "Growing Pains" and has gone on to star in Christian-themed movies, says he knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of blunt, prying media questions -- which is why he promises a "no gotcha" zone for his new, "Takeaways," on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Published March 10, 2022
U.S. evangelist working to rescue faith workers in Ukraine
Nick Hall, an evangelist from Minneapolis, said he is desperately trying to evacuate his coworkers in Ukraine out of the war zone. Published March 10, 2022
Houses of worship, nonprofits to see more federal security funding in spending bill
A key advocate for enhancing security measures at houses of worship on Thursday hailed the passage of a $1.5 trillion spending bill that includes a 40% increase in federal funding for such measures. Published March 10, 2022
Constitutional convention necessary to reclaim America, Santorum tells Christian broadcasters
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, Pennsylvania Republican, told Christian media leaders Wednesday that a convention of the states, provided for the Constitution's Article V, is needed to recapture American governance from an out-of-control government that has lost its way regardless of the party in power. Published March 9, 2022
Nonbelievers say Christians don’t represent Jesus well, Episcopal Church survey finds
Nonbelievers say America's Christians are doing a poor job of representing Jesus Christ, a new survey sponsored by the Episcopal Church revealed Tuesday. Published March 9, 2022
Documentary film on heaven part of apologetic thrust to promote Christian faith, Strobel says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Former investigative reporter Lee Strobel says today's skeptics need evidence before they consider Christianity's claims. Published March 9, 2022
