Vatican beatifies 522 killed in Spain during 1930s

Madrid — The Vatican has beatified 522 people — mostly priests and nuns — who were killed in the turmoil that led to Spain's civil war.

More worshippers tap into the latest technology

From scrolling through sacred texts on hand-held tablets during services to heading online for spiritually centered classes, members of religious communities across Metro Detroit are taking advantage of the latest technology to enhance worship, learn about their faith and conveniently observe centuries-old traditions.

Changes cause youth to join Mormon missionary ranks

Colorado Springs, Colo. Last year, the Salt Lake City-based faith announced it was lowering the minimum age for full-time missionary service from 21 to 19 for women and from 19 to 18 for men.

Faith Calendar

Religious events and activities taking place across Metro Detroit in the coming week.

Metro Detroit area Muslims make pilgrimage to Mecca

Next week, Yusuf Hai and his wife will fulfill a goal required of all able Muslims: Completing Hajj, the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.

Casual Pope Francis puts Vatican on alert with quips

Vatican City — Pope Francis has grabbed headlines with his off-the-cuff homilies, crowd-pleasing one-liners and lengthy interviews during which he has pontificated on everything from the church's 'obsession' with rules to how he won't judge gays.

Vatican condemns divorce rule challenge

Vatican City The Vatican put a German diocese on notice Tuesday that it disapproves of its challenge to church teaching on whether Catholics who remarry can receive Communion, saying the issue will be discussed by the whole church at a meeting next year of the world's bishops.

Mark your calendars for Thanksgivukkah

New York It's a turkey. It's a menorah. It's Thanksgivukkah! An extremely rare convergence this year of Thanksgiving and the start of Hanukkah has created a frenzy of Talmudic proportions

You're not alone, billboard tells nonreligious

Wyoming, Mich. — A billboard alongside a highway in western Michigan is spreading the message that religion is something people can live without.

Mormon women's group shut out of all-male meeting

Salt Lake City — On a day when the Mormon church announced its membership has hit 15 million — a three-fold increase from three decades ago — the ongoing debate about the role of women within the faith raged on.

Making sense of tragedy

Dandridge, Tenn. Residents in Statesville, N.C., are grappling with the deaths of a busload of seniors who were returning from their annual outing, a trip to a three-day festival in Gatlinburg, Tenn., that featured gospel singers and speakers.

Releasing the bad will be the start of true change

The recognition that life must change is simply not enough. Transformation will occur when we decide that we want something better and decide to turn over a new leaf.

Faith Calendar

Religious events taking place this week across Metro Detroit.

Mormon church membership hits 15 million

Salt Lake City — The Mormon church's worldwide membership has hit 15 million, representing a three-fold increase over the last three decades, LDS president Thomas S. Monson said Saturday.

Metro Detroit forum on faith explores death

In the Sikh faith, when a deceased loved one is cremated, mourners often recite a nightly prayer that evokes their existence.

Pope Francis urges reform, wants church with modern spirit

Vatican City — Pope Francis opened a landmark meeting Tuesday on reforming the Catholic Church, saying he wants a missionary church with a modern spirit that ...

Secretive Vatican bank takes step to transparency

Vatican City — The Vatican took another step in its efforts to be more financially transparent by publishing a first-ever annual report for the Vatican bank on ...

For many U.S. Jews, religion not tied to belief

New York — A new survey of U.S. Jews has confirmed some of the community's worst fears: One in five American Jews say they have no religion, and their ranks ...

Vatican: Benedict XVI may attend pope canonization

Vatican City — Popes John Paul II and John XXIII will be declared saints on April 27 at a ceremony that might see two living popes honoring two dead ones.

Former Crystal Cathedral transitions to Catholic site

Garden Grove, Calif The Crystal Cathedral was to evangelist Robert Schuller what Graceland was to Elvis. Now it has been bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in ...

Practicing peace might save world

Thirty years ago this month, life as we have known it, came perilously close to ending. It was Sept.

Faith Calendar

Religious events across Metro Detroit in the coming week.

Holy Redeemer school building bought by Detroit Cristo Rey for $2.3M

Detroit Detroit Cristo Rey High School has purchased the former Holy Redeemer High School for $2.284 million, officials said Friday.

Pope's words on abortion, gay marriage 'a breath of fresh air' for some Metro Detroit Catholics

Metro Detroit Catholics are surprised but encouraged by Pope Francis' recent call for the church to shift focus from abortion and gay marriage, as well as ...

RI school reschedules talk by WSU prof on gay marriage

Providence, R.I. The provost of Providence College said Wednesday the Roman Catholic school has rescheduled a talk by a nationally known proponent of gay marriage, just days ...

2 from Michigan make Muslim advocacy group's Islamophobia list

A Michigan law firm and conservative commentator are among those accused of stirring anti-Islam sentiment across the country, according to a national Muslim ...

Pope Francis appoints Michigan bishop to succeed New Jersey archbishop

Vatican City — The pope has named a new bishop to help out and eventually take over for the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, who is under fire for his ...

Pope finds supporters of remarks around globe

New York — Catholics attending Sunday services around the globe said they were heartened by Pope Francis' recent remarks that the church has become too focused on ...

Catholics react to pope remarks on gays, abortion

New York — Catholics around the globe are reacting mostly positively to Pope Francis' recent remarks that the church has become too focused on 'small-minded ...