The Christian Century

FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) -- Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has indicated in a second letter that it intends to pursue its claim to office space currently used by Tarrant Baptist Association, apparently because the association retains as a member a church that was kicked out of the Southern Baptist Convention for its acceptance of gays.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican on Wednesday (Jan. 19) tried to tamp down allegations a controversial 1997 letter to Irish bishops was meant to discourage prelates from reporting sexual abuse cases to police or prosecutors.

Canterbury, England, January 19 (ENInews)--The re-election of Christina Rees, a strong supporter of women's ministries, to the Church of England's Archbishops' Council is a sign that the church's mainstream wants to move forward on the ordination of women as bishops, observers said.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (RNS) Newly sworn-in Gov. Robert Bentley said he plans to be the governor of all Alabamians and be color-blind, but also said that people who aren't "saved" Christians aren't his brothers and sisters.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Six feet above the vaulted entranceway to Washington National Cathedral, the rough contours of Rosa Parks' face are taking shape.

Using a motorized hammer and chiseling tools that date back centuries, stone carver Sean Callahan is patiently working on a new bust of the civil rights heroine.

(RNS) Following is a brief synopsis of the major films dealing with faith, religion or spirituality at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival:

"Abraxas" -- A depressed Buddhist monk tries to reconnect with his punk rock past.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has recognized a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II, bringing the late pontiff one step from sainthood a mere six years after his death, the Vatican announced on Friday (Jan. 14).