Conservatives welcome the decision and say key elements of the policy could begin taking effect in January; among liberal and centrist opponents of the plan, there is dismay.
Religion and Values
Sudanese Catholics celebrate Easter in Portland
Immigrants from the war-torn African country take part in a traditional Azande Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
United Methodists edge toward breakup over LGBT policies
The United Methodist Church is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors.
As Good Friday and Passover meet this year, interfaith families receive double blessings
When the springtime holidays fall on the same date, Jewish and Christian couples look for ways to combine them or celebrate them one after the other.
Central Mainers celebrate Easter with sunrise services
A pair of early morning services in Gardiner and Waterville brought together people from several area churches to celebrate.
Poll: Church membership in U.S. plummets over past 20 years
“Culturally, we are seeing significant erosion in the trust people have for institutions in general and churches in particular,” a professor of the sociology of religion at Boston University said.
Hundreds at Portland cathedral pray for people of Paris in wake of Notre Dame fire
Bishop Robert Deeley offers a prayer ‘for the people of France whose temple of God’s glory has been so marred by this destructive fire.’
Effect of Notre Dame Cathedral fire felt in central Maine
While Winthrop resident Debbie Sherman reflected on her March visit to the cultural icon; the Rev. John Skehan pointed out that Notre Dame was more than a ‘tourist attraction’ for its parishioners.
Students at Mormon-owned BYU urge honor code compassion
Several hundred hold a protest to push college officials to be more forgiving of those who violate rules banning things such as drinking, premarital sex, beards and piercings.
Vatican opens its own probe in decades-old missing girl case
It’s investigating the case of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican citizen who disappeared in the summer of 1983.