RELIGION

Religion Offerings: 1-11

1/11/2014

Resisting Human Trafficking

The 2014 Ohio Ministries Convocation them is "Building an Inclusive Movement to Resist Human Trafficking." Yvonne Zimmerman, a professor at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, in Delaware, Ohio, and Letitia Campbell, a doctoral student at Emory University in Atlanta, will speak about progressive Christian anti-trafficking work. The convocation, sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches, is from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan 27 at Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus.

 

‘Monsignor’ no more

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has done away with the honorific title “monsignor” for all but a few priests, further evidence of his desire for priests to be simple, humble servants.

The Vatican’s Secretary of State sent a letter to its embassies asking them to inform bishops’ conferences of the change. From now on, the Vatican says only diocesan priests who are “chaplains of the Holy Father” can use the honorific, and then only after they turn 65. The 10 monsignors in the Diocese of Toledo will retain the honorific titles, said Sally Oberski, the diocese's director of communications.

Bishops, vicars and archbishops still get to be called “monsignor” and Holy See officials will have the title if their office warrants it.

 

Fewer shotgun weddings

WASHINGTON — Living together is a growing arrangement for America’s dating couples who become parents.

The share of unmarried couples who opt to move in together after a pregnancy surpassed what demographers call “shotgun marriages” for the first time over the last decade. That’s according to a forthcoming paper from the National Center for Health Statistics.

About 18.1 percent of all single women who became pregnant opted to move in with their boyfriends. That is compared to 5.3 percent who chose to have a post-conception marriage.

 

Missionary question angers Rodman

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is denouncing an angry outburst by former NBA star Dennis Rodman in North Korea.

Rodman is in North Korea for a basketball exhibition honoring the regime’s leader, Kim Jong Un. The former Chicago Bull didn’t like being asked during a CNN satellite interview if he would bring up the detention of American Kenneth Bae. The missionary, who is in poor health, is being held on charges of “anti-state” crimes. Bae has been held for more than a year.

White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters he wouldn’t dignify Rodman’s outburst. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki says the U.S. remains very committed to securing Bae’s release and is gravely concerned about his health. She said those listening to Rodman’s comments should remember that he’s not representing the U.S.