Mark A. Kellner
Articles by Mark A. Kellner
Federal court sides with Navy SEALs seeking religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccination order
The Defense Department can't punish Navy SEALs and others who have religious objections to receiving a mandated vaccine against COVID-19, a federal district court judge ruled Monday. Published January 3, 2022
Cardinal Gregory asymptomatic following positive COVID-19 test
The 74-year-old prelate reported a positive result on Friday, following a rapid antigen test. Published January 2, 2022
Manchin among ‘Courage Award’ honorees by Catholic political group
Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, is a 'man of steel' deserving plaudits for his courage, a lay Catholic political advocacy group said Thursday. Published December 30, 2021
D.C. police seeking a few good chaplains; applications open now
The Rev. Msgr. Salvatore A. Criscuolo says a key quality of a Metropolitan Police Department chaplain is being available. Published December 30, 2021
Start the day with your eulogy for better focus, best-selling writer suggests
Christian essayist Donald Miller has a practice that helps him be more focused and productive: He starts each morning by reading his own eulogy. Published December 29, 2021
Jan. 8 Florida religious event seeks to spark nationwide revival, organizers say
Organizers of a Jan 8 religious rally in Florida say they hope to ignite a nationwide spiritual revival. Published December 27, 2021
No bells will jingle for primary students in Rochester suburb in ‘diversity’ push
Published December 23, 2021
Infection spike puts churches in a Christmas quandary
Your options for Christmas worship in the District of Columbia may depend on how the church of your choice responds to the latest spike in COVID-19 infections. Published December 23, 2021
Washington National Cathedral shuts doors over COVID-19 rise in D.C., moves worship online
Worship at the Washington National Cathedral will move online after a spike in the District of Columbia's COVID-19 infection rate, the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, the Episcopal congregation's dean, said in an online message posted Wednesday. Published December 23, 2021
‘The Chosen’ gets viewer funding for third season of Jesus series
"The Chosen," the super-popular streaming video dramatic series on the life and ministry of Jesus, successfully wrapped up its funding drive to produce a third season, series creator and executive producer Dallas Jenkins said in an email to fans Wednesday. Published December 22, 2021
China’s latest crackdown targets religion on the web, only allows state-sanctioned groups
China has launched a fresh crackdown on religious groups' online activities in the communist nation, announcing rules that will effectively block almost all internet-based ministry that is not state-sanctioned starting in March. Published December 22, 2021
Evangelical Lutheran LGBTQ ministry group suspends first transgender bishop
A group promoting LGBTQ clergy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has suspended its first transgender bishop over allegations of "racist words and actions" involving the bishop's church area and the "Latinx community" in Stockton, California. Published December 21, 2021
Religious imagery in Capitol attack is year’s top religion news story, survey finds
Christian and pagan symbolism seen at the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol was the top religion news story of the year, according to a survey of the Religion News Association's members. Published December 21, 2021
Hanging Offensive? Emory U., frat spar over student-placed Christmas wreath and garland
Members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Emory University might deck their indoor halls with boughs of holly, but placing a Christmas wreath and garland on the frat house exterior did not make school officials the least bit jolly. Published December 20, 2021
Dog tag maker sues Defense Dept. to reinstate logo use license after watchdog’s complaint
A Texas company that has made and sold military-style dog tags bearing crosses and Bible verses has sued the Department of Defense to reinstate its license to use trademarked emblems of the armed forces. Published December 16, 2021
Catholic groups argue against transgender care mandates in preemptive lawsuit
Lawyers representing two Catholic organizations argued Wednesday for a preemptive lawsuit against transgender care mandates, asserting in appellate court that federal law should not compel faith-based health care providers and insurers to cover "gender transition procedures." Published December 15, 2021
Despite reported pushback, Salvation Army’s kettles set record in recent challenge
An early December poll may have found some Americans dissatisfied with The Salvation Army's now-withdrawn document on racism, but those concerns have yet to hit the charity in its trademark red kettles. Published December 14, 2021
Americans who identify as ‘Christian’ down 15 points in 14 years to 63%
Nearly three-in-ten American adults -- 29% -- report having no religious affiliation, comprising a cohort known as "nones," Pew Research Center reported Tuesday. Published December 14, 2021
UNCF, Boys & Girls Clubs announce programs to move students into STEM fields
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) have announced separate plans to provide opportunities for underserved youths to learn and develop skills in STEM fields. Published December 13, 2021
Evangelical ministry asks Supreme Court to hear defamation case against Southern Poverty Law Center
An evangelical Christian ministry is asking the Supreme Court to take up its 4-year-old defamation lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center, arguing that the "actual malice" standard established in the court's landmark New York Times v. Sullivan case should be tossed. Published December 10, 2021
