Religion

Governor Eases Mandates For Churches, Goes For Guidance Instead

By • May 28, 2020

 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker today (Thursday) announced new guidance for places of worship. It comes as he has faced multiple lawsuits over his ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. Pritzker now says faith leaders should try to limit attendance to a quarter of a building’s capacity or 100 attendees, whichever is lower, along with social distancing. 

Evangelical Leader Cites 'Growing Angst' With Guv's Covid-19 Response

By • May 23, 2020

A group of Chicago-based evangelical leaders plans to seek a virtual meeting with Gov. J.B. Pritzker because of “growing angst” about the rules he has set for religious gatherings.

Gov. Pritzker Says Team Looking at Ways for Churches to Reopen

By • May 20, 2020
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File

With more than 150 Illinois lawmakers meeting in a Springfield multi-purpose arena to enhance social distancing, some churches with large sanctuaries would like the same consideration.

Governor J-B Pritzker says his team is looking at all the ways for that to happen.

Springfield Bishop Bans Communion For Lawmakers Over Abortion Vote

By • Jun 6, 2019

The Roman Catholic bishop of Springfield has banned the Illinois General Assembly's leaders from receiving Holy Communion at local churches because of their involvement in abortion legislation approved last week.

A.G. Madigan: "Prosecution May Be Warranted" in Clergy Abuse Investigation

By • Dec 13, 2018

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is continuing her investigation of the state’s six Roman Catholic dioceses, and now says criminal prosecution is a potential.


Local Religious Leaders Discuss Unity

By • Jan 21, 2018
Diversity

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with Rev. Paul Waterman of Epiphany Lutheran Church and Scott Martin of the Baha'i Community in Carbondale about their experiences with the 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions, and how the messages there go hand-in-hand with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luthern King, Junior.

University Honors Lecture: Carla Power

By • Nov 15, 2017
People
PBS

WSIU's Jennifer Fuller talks with author and journalist Carla Power, who delivers the Charles D. Tenney University Honors Lecture.

In The Author's Voice: I Don't Know What to Believe

By • Mar 26, 2016
book cover I Don't Know What to Believe
Central Recovery Press

The Pew Research Center's 2015 study on religion found that nearly 23% of adults in the United States have no religious affiliation.  That's up from 16% in 2007.   The Religious Landscape Study also identified that 1 in 5 US adults were raised as members of a religion but now say they have no religious affiliation.

U of I Professor Calls Modern Islamophobia "Truly Terrifying"

By • Dec 15, 2015

Dr. Valerie Hoffman has taught about Islam and the Muslim faith for three decades. She teaches religion at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and has lived in the Middle East.

After Years Underwater, A Church Re-Emerges In Mexico

By • Oct 20, 2015

A drought in the Mexican state of Chiapas has led to the reappearance of a mid-16th century church.

Lack of rain in southern Mexico has dropped the water level in the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir, revealing the Temple of Santiago, a church built in in 1564.

Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba visits Carbondale

By Kevin Boucher • Jul 7, 2015
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The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization

Father Luis Barrios, Ph.D, a member of the Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba, will speak  at Carbondale's Unitarian Fellowship today  --  Tuesday July 7th, 2015   --  following latin music and a Cuba-inspired meal at 6:00PM.

Local Catholics React to Papal Resignation

By • Feb 11, 2013
www.metroeastinterfaith.org

Catholics across the world and across the region are expressing surprise at Pope Benedict XVI's resignation announcement. It's the first time in nearly 600 years a pontiff has left the post before death.

Pope Will Resign

By • Feb 11, 2013

VATICAN CITY (AP) _ Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28 _ the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.

The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals on Monday morning.

He emphasized that carrying out the duties of being pope _ the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics worldwide _ requires ``both strength of mind and body.''

Southern Illinois Priest Defrocked

By & • Feb 8, 2013

A Roman Catholic priest whose decades-old molestation of a former altar boy in southern Illinois led to a $6.3 million payout has been kicked out of the priesthood by the Pope.

Diocese of Belleville Bishop Edward Braxton says 78-year-old Raymond Kownacki has been defrocked by papal decree.  Braxton says the action is for the good of the church.

 

Interfaith Harmony Week

By • Jan 29, 2013
Monica Tichenor, WSIU

WSIU Radio's Jennifer Fuller talks with Father Bob Flannery of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and Luke Tolley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Tolley is the President of the Carbondale Interfaith Council, Flannery a past-president. They both preview the upcoming Interfaith Harmony Week and its significance.