Familiar social issues led the religion news this week. In Washington, the Obama administration made a significant change in its policy on insurance coverage of contraception by religiously affiliated organizations. Any employer with a religious objection will not be required to offer or pay for contraceptive services, but insurance companies would have to offer those services to women free of charge. This change follows a huge controversy over the administration’s original plan which US Catholic bishops and several other religious groups said would have violated their constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom. Republican candidates for president also weighed in on the controversy. Mitt Romney became the latest GOP candidate to accuse the president of waging “an assault on religion.” Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have launched similar attacks. On Tuesday (February 7), support from religious and social conservatives helped Santorum win the Missouri primary and caucuses in Minnesota and Colorado. Following those victories, Santorum traveled to Texas where he spoke to more than 100 Christian ministers about his Catholic faith.

In California, an appeals court ruled against Proposition 8, the state’s ban on gay marriage passed by referendum in 2008. The court thus upheld a decision by a federal judge who had struck down the ban saying it violated the equal rights of gays and lesbians. Supporters of Prop 8 say they will appeal again and the case could go to the Supreme Court. Several religious conservatives condemned the court’s decision. Others however called it a victory for equality. Also this week, Washington State passed a bill legalizing gay marriage. The governor plans to sign it into law next week.

Sunday (February 12) is the final deadline for New York City churches which hold their worship services in public schools after school hours. Last year, a federal appeals court upheld a city policy that bans churches from worshipping in those buildings. The city argued it violates the separation of church and state. The churches were given until February 12 to find new places to worship. There are efforts in the state legislature to reverse the ban and allow the churches to use the schools.

In Orange County, California, new owners for the Crystal Cathedral, long a landmark of American megachurches. After the cathedral ministries declared bankruptcy, they sold their property to the Catholic Diocese of Orange for $57.5 million. Crystal Cathedral ministries can use the building for up to three more years, and church leaders say they will continue their weekly Hour of Power broadcast. The Catholic bishop has plans to rename the cathedral and has asked the public for ideas. His only requirement: the name must refer in some way to Jesus Christ.

Tuesday (February 14) is Valentine’s Day, named for two St. Valentines who were martyred in the second and third centuries. Saint Valentine’s Day was not associated with romantic love until the Middle Ages, when Geoffrey Chaucer and others made the enduring connection.