Meredith Somers

Blacklisted priest hopeful for changes to Catholic credo

A blacklisted priest is calling on Catholics to keep up the momentum for change generated by this month's Extraordinary Synod of Catholic Bishops, which divided church leaders on how welcoming the 2,000-year-old faith should be toward 21st century issues like gay marriage and divorce.

October 21, 2014

D.C. rabbi charged with spying on women has history of inappropriate acts: Rabbinic group

The rabbi arrested last week for spying on women at a Georgetown synagogue had a history of inappropriate behavior, according to a statement from the Rabbinical Council of America.

October 20, 2014

In D.C., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church celebrates 150 years with fresh look

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Northwest celebrated its 150th anniversary Sunday, mere days after completion of an extensive renovation that brightened the sanctuary, patched the roof and installed glass doors at the entrance.

October 19, 2014

Virginia estate auction to focus on political campaign memorabilia

Military buffs, politics wonks and those just looking to escape to the city are invited to the estate auction of Black Walnut Plantation this weekend, a site with roots in American history, Hollywood and Halifax County.

October 16, 2014

Higher Ground: Number of U.S. nuns drops by more than 70 percent since ‘65

The number of Catholic sisters in America has dropped by more than 70 percent over the last half-century, according to a recent study.

October 16, 2014

Annulments plummet among U.S. Catholics amid fewer marriages, divorces

More petitions for annulments are opened by Catholics in the U.S. than in any other country, but the number has dropped in the past two decades amid declining numbers of marriages, fewer divorces and perceptions of a stigma from the church, analysts say.

October 15, 2014

Vatican warns of unrealistic expectations after report on gays

Catholic leaders are warning people not to get caught up in unrealistic expectations after a report issued by the Vatican included language about "welcoming homosexuals" and being more understanding of non-traditional families within the church.

October 14, 2014

Catholic Church to give ‘priority’ to children of same-sex couples

Gay people have "gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community," according to a Vatican report released Monday that stunned both LGBT advocates and traditional marriage proponents with its "welcoming" language.

October 13, 2014

Renaissance Festival returns to Maryland for 38th season

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is wrapping up its 38th season, but there's still time for some medieval fun — and giant turkey legs.

October 9, 2014

Higher Ground: Enforcing the laws of heaven and earth

An Indiana woman is suing a state trooper who gave her one warning for speeding and another for her soul.

October 9, 2014

Protestant churches to go slow on same-sex marriage

Some mainstream Protestant churches are taking cautious steps to address the potential impact of same-sex marriage on their congregations.

October 8, 2014

Rabbi at conservative D.C. synagogue comes out as gay

Senior Rabbi Gil Steinlauf informed members of Adas Israel Congregation that after years and with the help of his wife, Batya, he came to understand "that I could walk my path with the greatest strength, with the greatest peace in my heart, with the greatest healing and wholeness, when I finally acknowledged that I am a gay man."

October 7, 2014

Twitter testimony: Muslims, atheists better at making their case in 140 characters

Muslims and atheists are the most active on Twitter, while Christians and Jewish users are the least likely to tweet, a recent study shows.

October 6, 2014

D.C.’s East of the River Revival offers 4 days of prayer, worship

The 25th annual East of the River Revival starts Monday, offering four days of faith-based events for the young and old hoping to reconnect with their religion.

October 5, 2014

Yom Kippur begins Friday: Time to get ‘straight with yourself’

One of the holiest days, oldest traditions, and joyous times in Judaism begins Friday at sundown.

October 3, 2014

Catholic bishops synod to focus on family issues

Catholic leaders will begin discussing this weekend a host of family-related matters, including same-sex marriage, birth control and other pressing issues in an ever-changing world.

October 2, 2014

Higher Ground: Museum of the Bible headed for construction

Officials with the Museum of the Bible announced this week that the project is scheduled to open in fall 2017, while construction on the 430,000-square-foot facility is set to start this season.

October 2, 2014

Religious leaders receive FEMA emergency disaster training

Catastrophes have hit communities for millennia, but one thing that hasn't changed is the importance and preparedness of houses of worship during a time of need, emergency officials said Tuesday.

September 30, 2014

Suspect in UVa missing student case linked to 2009 abduction

The man arrested in connection with the disappearance of a University of Virginia student has provided a "significant break" in a 2009 unsolved killing, police said Monday.

September 29, 2014

Higher Ground: Peace of mind

A new survey on mental health and faith found that most Protestant pastors believe people with mental illness can develop their spirituality and go to heaven, despite the fact it is not explicitly addressed in the Bible.

September 25, 2014