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TOPIC   RELIGION

2013 MAY
May 16, 2013
Report
Demographic Shifts, Biblical Ideals Contribute to Evangelical Immigration Stance
While lawmakers in Washington continue work on overhauling American immigration policy, Ray Suarez reports from Colorado, where members of the Evangelical Christian community are advocating passage of immigration reform to respond to demographic shifts in membership.

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APRIL
April 23, 2013
Blog
Welcome the Stranger: Convincing Evangelicals to Support Immigration Reform
Ray Suarez speaks with Jenny Hwang, co-author of the book "Welcoming the Stranger," which urges evangelicals to look at comprehensive immigration reform based on biblical principles.

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April 23, 2013
Blog
Evangelicals Rally for Pathway to Citizenship and Immigration Reform
Evangelical leaders rallied in Washington to gather political support for comprehensive immigration reform. Pastors are attempting to take the message of comprehensive immigration reform from the pews in their churches to the politicians in the Capitol.


April 22, 2013
Blog
The Importance of Reflecting on Death, Especially After Boston
Erica Brown went face to face with her mortality on April 15, smack-dab in the middle of the chaos of the Boston Marathon bombings. But she was prepared. As the author of the new book "Happier Endings: A Meditation on Life and Death," she embraces the inevitable and makes a plea for people to do a better job of planning for it.


April 18, 2013
Blog
Obama Honors Victims of Boston Bombing in Interfaith Service
President Barack Obama sought to inspire a stricken city and comfort an unnerved nation Thursday, declaring that Boston "will run again" and vowing to hunt down the perpetrator of the twin blasts that brought mayhem and death to the Boston Marathon.

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April 17, 2013
Blog
The Evolving Immigration Debate: Religion
Hari Sreenivasan talks with Rev. Samuel Rodriguez about the changing debate over immigration.

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April 11, 2013
Blog
Why More Religious Singles Are Searching for Love Online
Faith-based online dating websites like Christian Mingle for Christians and JDate for Jews have increased in popularity since 2008. While young people are more likely than ever to date outside their religion, those who still prefer to date within their religion are capitalizing on niche online communities to find love.


April 7, 2013
Blog
David Kuo, Former Bush White House Official, Dies
A conservative Christian who helped to lead President George W. Bush's faith-based initiative but then criticized the effort has died. David Kuo was 44 when he died Friday in Charlotte, N.C. He had suffered from brain cancer for the last decade.

MARCH
March 29, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Dozens of Atlanta Educators, Former Chief Indicted for Cheating
In other news Friday, a grand jury in Atlanta indicted former school superintendent Beverly Hall and 34 others in a cheating scandal. Also, Christians around the world observed Good Friday.

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March 28, 2013
Analysis
Faith and Morality Play Major Roles in Debate on Gay Marriage
Aspects of religion and morality have been used as the basis for arguments by both sides of the debate on same-sex marriage. Ray Suarez talks with Michael Schuenemeyer, minister for the United Church of Christ, and Richard Langer, a minister with the Evangelical Free Church of America, to learn how they've approached the topic.

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March 28, 2013
Slide Show
Pope Francis Washes Feet of Prisoners
As part of Holy Thursday celebrations March 28, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prisoners at a youth detention center in Rome to mark Jesus' same gesture when he washed the feet of the 12 apostles the night before his crucifixion.


March 26, 2013
Blog
The Tuesday Cutline...a Winner!
With a new pope comes plenty of new memorabilia. Not even the most unmaterialistic could escape Pope Francis on cards and trinkets across the world for the past few weeks.


March 26, 2013
Blog
Supreme Court Could Avoid Ruling on Gay Marriage Ban
The Supreme Court suggested Tuesday it could find a way out of the case over California's ban on same-sex marriage without issuing a major national ruling on whether gays have a right to marry. Several justices raised doubts during a riveting 80-minute argument that the case was properly before them.

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March 22, 2013
Blog
Church and State: Religious Leaders Debate Same-Sex Marriage
Watch politics editor Christina Bellantoni moderate a Google Hangout debate between religious leaders that take opposing sides on same-sex marriage.


March 19, 2013
Analysis
Church Looks to Pope Francis to 'Shake Up,' Offer Reform to Vatican Business
As Pope Francis officially assumes his title, he will face some established challenges and scandals. But the pontiff has already signaled a shift and charmed followers by preaching for greater humility. Jeffrey Brown talks with John Allen from the National Catholic Reporter and CNN about what messages the pope may hope to send.

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March 19, 2013
Report
Pope Francis Officially Installed as Bishop of Rome With Mass and Ceremony
Pope Francis was officially made leader of the Roman Catholic Church at a Mass attended by heads of state and 100,000 pilgrims. Before the ceremony, the pope approached the crowd, kissing infants and giving blessings. James Mates of Independent Television News reports from Rome.

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March 19, 2013
Blog
Watch Pope Francis' Installation Mass at the Vatican
Pope Francis officially became the leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday in a ceremony at the Vatican, where he urged those with leadership responsibilities and all others to respect one another and protect "God's gifts" of creation.

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March 14, 2013
Blog
A New Pope, and Maybe a New Era
The selection of Pope Francis has been greeted with genuine excitement in his home archdiocese of Buenos Aires and throughout Latin America. Understandably, it is a very big deal for Latino Catholics. But the church has had a rough 60 years in the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations of that hemisphere.


March 14, 2013
Analysis
Argentine Faithful Hope Pope Francis Can Reform Vatican Transparency
Pope Francis is the first pontiff to hail from Argentina. He's also a huge soccer fan. For more on the pope's South American roots and his home country's reaction to the papal election, as well as the intersection of religion, populism and politics there, Jeffrey Brown talks with Hugh Bronstein of Reuters from Buenos Aires.

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March 14, 2013
Report
A Down-to-Earth Debut for Pope Francis
Following his historic election, Pope Francis' first day was no-nonsense, as he collected his belongings before moving into his new life as pontiff. The 76-year-old Argentine native is the first non-European pope in 12 centuries, though he is the son of Italian immigrants. Jonathan Rugman of Independent Television News reports.

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March 13, 2013
Analysis
Pope Francis Brings 'New Gifts' to the Future of the Catholic Church
Pope Francis is known as a humble man, invested in issues of poverty, who is socially progressive and doctrinally conservative. Ray Suarez talks to Chester Gillis of Georgetown University and Sister Simone Campbell of NETWORK, a social justice organization, about how the new pontiff will help shape the Catholic Church.

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March 13, 2013
Conversation
Argentina's Cardinal Bergoglio Is First South American, First Jesuit Pontiff
The election of Pope Francis marked two firsts for the papal office: he is both the first South American and the first Jesuit pope. For more on the historic selection and what it reflects about the current state of the Catholic Church, Gwen Ifill talks with Michael Sean Winters of the National Catholic Reporter.

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March 13, 2013
Report
White Smoke at the Vatican: Francis Named 266th Pontiff
White smoke emanating from a Vatican chimney late Wednesday night signaled a new pope had been elected. Argentine Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio was selected as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, assuming the name Pope Francis. Gwen Ifill reports on the election and the celebration in Vatican City.

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March 13, 2013
Blog
Viva Pope Francis: The First South American Pope
It took cardinals only two days to elect the new leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics on Wednesday afternoon: Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the first pope from South America. He took the name Pope Francis.

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March 13, 2013
Blog
Seven Cardinal Contenders for Pope
As the first three rounds of voting Tuesday and Wednesday failed to produce a pope, the 115-member conclave will keep trying Wednesday afternoon with renewed hopes of reaching consensus. There's no clear frontrunner, but out of the cardinals who are eligible to become pontiff, certain ones are being discussed as possibilities.


March 12, 2013
Report
News Wrap: 115 Roman Catholic Cardinals Start Papal Election Process
In other news Tuesday, 115 Roman Catholic Cardinals convened a conclave to begin the papal election process. Their first first vote was inconclusive, but they will resume voting Wednesday. Also, a Colorado judge entered a not guilty plea for James Holmes, the man accused of last July's mass shooting in a movie theater.

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March 12, 2013
Blog
Papal Succession in the Catholic Church
What are the duties of the pope and the current issues facing the next one? The Council on Foreign Relations has published an explainer.


March 6, 2013
Analysis
New Polls Reflect Challenges for Vatican on Connecting With U.S. Catholics
A poll released Wednesday found that more than half of U.S. Catholics feel that the Vatican is out of touch with peoples' needs, though most also said that their own parish is responsive. Ray Suarez talks with Scott Appleby of University of Notre Dame and James Towey of Ave Maria University about Catholicism at a crossroads.

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FEBRUARY
Feb. 28, 2013
Analysis
Looking Ahead to Papal Conclave as Benedict XVI Lifts 'Weight of the Office'
Officially in retirement, Benedict XVI leaves a papacy flagged with controversies and crises. To discuss what role the emeritus pontiff will now play in the Catholic Church and what's ahead for the papal conclave, Jeffrey Brown talks with John Allen, reporting from Rome for CNN and National Catholic Reporter.

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Feb. 28, 2013
Report
Pope Benedict XVI Ends Reign Amidst 'Difficult Times'
As Pope Benedict XVI said a public farewell and left the Vatican in a helicopter, he became the first pontiff in modern times to resign. James Mates of Independent Television News reports on the pope's departure.

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Feb. 28, 2013
Blog
Step-by-Step Guide to Electing a Pope
Pope Benedict XVI's last day as leader of the Roman Catholic Church is Thursday. Now, cardinals from all over the world will meet to elect his replacement. Here's how the election process is expected to go.

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Feb. 28, 2013
Slide Show
Moments of Benedict XVI's Papacy
After nearly eight years as head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI told a gathering of cardinals in Rome that he would resign, citing poor health.


Feb. 27, 2013
Report
News Wrap: Pope Benedict XVI Has Farewell Audience
In other news Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI gave an emotional farewell the day before his formal retirement. Also, former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel was sworn in as the new defense secretary. Hagel addressed Pentagon employees about the automatic spending cuts slated to take effect Friday.

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Feb. 26, 2013
Update
Holmes Dixon Crossed the Altar, Busted Barriers
Jane Holmes Dixon was the second woman bishop in the Episcopal Church and served as the Bishop of Washington pro tempore from 2001-2002. In honor of "Makers: Women Who Make America," Ray Suarez remembers a woman who inspired his family.


Feb. 25, 2013
Update
New Allegations Arise Against Vatican Ahead of Papal Elections
As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new pope, new allegations have emerged of sexual and financial impropriety -- including corruption and the attempted blackmail of gay Vatican clergy -- in the Italian media. Margaret Warner talks with the Washington Post's Jason Horowitz.

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Feb. 25, 2013
Report
Senior British Cardinal Resigns Over Allegations of Inappropriate Behavior
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Britain's top Catholic cleric, has resigned over allegations of inappropriate behavior towards other priests. Ciaran Jenkins of Independent Television reports.

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Feb. 20, 2013
Report
Scottish Island Discovery Digs Up New Information About Neolithic Religion
A new archaeological find in the Orkney Islands off the northern tip of Scotland could have connections to Neolithic religion. Jeffrey Brown examines the background of the discovery and explores some of its surrounding mysteries, including why the site might have been part of one of the biggest barbecues in history.

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Feb. 14, 2013
Blog
Ten Things We Learned From the State of the Union Address
Judy Woodruff explains how the 2013 State of the Union distinguishes itself from other speeches by President Obama, both in style and in policy.


Feb. 11, 2013
Analysis
Examining Pope Benedict's Legacy, Leadership Challenges and Unprecedented Exit
To parse Pope Benedict's announcement, assess his legacy and look at the future of the Catholic Church, Judy Woodruff talks with Monsignor Rick Hilgartner of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Sr. Christine Schenk of FutureChurch and John Allen, who covers the Vatican for CNN and the National Catholic Reporter.

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Feb. 11, 2013
Report
Pope Benedict XVI to Step Down; First Papal Resignation in 600 Years
Pope Benedict XVI, elected to the papacy in 2005, announced he will step down from his position on Feb. 28. He will be the first pontiff to resign since the 15th century. The pope cited his advanced age and declining health as the reason for his decision. Ray Suarez reports on the surprise announcement.

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Feb. 11, 2013
Blog
Pope Benedict XVI to Resign: What Happens Now?
In a decision unprecedented in modern times, Pope Benedict XVI said Monday that he would resign effective Feb. 28, six weeks shy of his 86th birthday. He told cardinals at the Vatican that he lacks the strength to continue his duties.


Feb. 11, 2013
Blog
Pope Benedict XVI Cites Advancing Age and Bad Health for Resignation
Pope Benedict XVI announced early Monday his intention to step down from the Roman Catholic Church's highest office by the end of the month.


Feb. 7, 2013
Report
New Documents Show Catholic Leaders in Los Angeles Protected Abusive Priests
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles was forced to release 12,000 pages of documents showing that dozens of priests were accused of molesting children over several decades. Ray Suarez examines this new revelation about the church's handling of abuse claims with Ray Boucher, lead attorney representing the victims.

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Feb. 7, 2013
Blog
Tale of Abuse in Los Angeles Archdiocese All Too Familiar for Catholic Church
Documents exposing priestly abuse in the Los Angeles Archdiocese show a story not all that different from the scandals that rocked other Catholic institutions in recent years: transferring troubled priests, failing to notify law enforcement authorities, and placing a very high value on protecting the church from scandal.


Feb. 1, 2013
Blog
Evangelicals Use Bible to Champion Immigration Reform
National evangelical leaders are coming together in an expansive grassroots effort to pass bipartisan immigration reform, including an easier path to citizenship. These leaders hope to change many evangelicals' minds about immigration through theology.

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