Catholics reach out to those who've wandered
http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/Come_Home/CH_index.html
http://www.paulist.org/boston/ministries.htm#landings
Caroline O'Brien didn't break from the Roman Catholic Church. She quietly walked away.
O'Brien, above, was an 18-year-old Harvard freshman with serious doubts about the church's stand on women's issues. The last straw was a Cold War sermon implying all Russians were evil. It turned her off, and she was gone.
Sixteen years later, she came back.
Her return started with feelings of despair and an unplanned visit to Mass in Boston. That led her to Landings, a program for Catholics who've left the church.
Landings and the Come Home Ministry at St. Anthony's Shrine, both in Boston, are examples of programs aimed at bringing inactive Catholics back into the fold. Similar programs are offered in Lawrence.
The rise of such programs reflects Catholic churches' efforts to target alienated members by emphasizing that the church is changing to be more understanding and flexible.
Mormon leaders emphasize church's official name
Mormon leaders are asking news organizations and their own followers to stop calling the church by its informal name.
A recent news release by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked that its full name be used whenever possible. In instances where the full name is too long, the release suggested using "The Church of Jesus Christ."
However, the officials discouraged two names popular in mostly Mormon Utah "Latter-day Saints Church" and "LDS Church."
Founded in 1830, the faith was originally called the Church of Jesus Christ. The "Latter-day Saints" portion of the name was later added to reflect followers' belief that they are taking the path of Christ's first disciples, or saints.
The term "Mormon" remains acceptable as a term for church members, as an adjective and in proper names such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Mormon Trail.
Prayer meetings allowed at N.J. municipal building
The Princeton Borough Council in Princeton, N.J., has voted to continue allowing prayer meetings in the town's municipal building.
The council's vote came about a month after Mayor Marvin Reed requested that the town prohibit any group from meeting in the municipal building unless the gathering was secular in nature.
Reed said he was concerned that by allowing the prayer meetings, the town could be violating the required separation of church and state. Citing concerns over potential lawsuits, though, several council members said they were more worried about putting restrictions on religious meetings in a public setting.
Montana Episcopal bishop steps down on affair charges
Helena, Mont. Montana Episcopal Church Bishop Charles I. Jones III has agreed to resign after a church court ordered him defrocked for an affair he had years ago with a parishioner in Kentucky.
The Montana Diocese's Standing Committee and Diocesan Council agreed to give Jones a $170,000 settlement in return for his resignation. Jones also agreed not to sue the Diocese of Montana, its members or groups and individuals associated with it.
Jones, 57, has presided over Montana's 48 Episcopal churches since 1986. He has been on "emergency leave" since Feb. 10.
A national Episcopal Church court ordered Jones defrocked on Feb. 15 for immorality and conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy because of charges that nearly 20 years ago he sexually exploited a married parishioner he was counseling in Kentucky.
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