City Room - Religion

Victims' Advocates Criticize Priest Sex Abuse Study

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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An advocacy group for victims abused by priests is criticizing a recent study.

The study that's underway is trying to determine why there was more priest sexual abuse in the 60s and 70s, and why it fell after 1985. It's being done for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Barbara Blaine thinks the study is "illogical." She heads the Chicago-based SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

BLAINE: What they really need to be looking at is what causes bishops and church officials to allow and to enable and cover up for sexual predators.

The study finds more than 9 in 10 cases are old -- they took place before 1990. Researchers think there are fewer new cases due to factors like tougher laws, better education and screening for priests.

But Blaine thinks there's a lag in reporting abuse because recent victims are too young to come forward.

Evolving Faith: Meaning, Ethics, and Ideas Presented Live

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Listen in as Interfaith Youth Core founder Eboo Patel leads the discussion with Krista Tippett of Speaking of Faith, asking Tippett the types of questions she usually poses to her guests and explores the surprises and discoveries she has made as religion has moved from the sidelines to the forefront of world affairs.

The first stop on a national tour, Tippett is in Chicago for this one night event as part of Chicago Public Radio Presents. Listen to the event live at 7 p.m. from Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Lutheran Church Faces Staff and Program Cuts

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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The nation's largest Lutheran church group is facing significant budget cuts.

The Chicago-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is scheduled to vote on the proposed cuts today. Spokesman John Brooks says the ELCA church council will decide whether to trim $7.7 million. That's about 10 percent of the budget and would include lay-offs.

Brooks says he doesn't know how many people would lose their jobs. But he says the cuts would likely hit nearly every ministry.

Brooks declined to go on tape. But he says the shortfall's due mainly to the economy.

Some churches withheld contributions to the ELCA after it voted to allow gay clergy in committed relationships to serve. Brooks says the financial impact of that isn't known yet.

The ELCA already cut more than $5 million -- and roughly 30 jobs -- earlier this year.

Clergy, Community Fear Important Ritual is Losing its Religion

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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There’s a pivotal moment in the life of many young Latinas. It’s called a quinceañera celebration. The event is centered on a girl’s 15th birthday and is supposed to reaffirm faith and family, while marking her transition into womanhood. Some in the Latino community, though, fear the celebration is losing its spiritual value, while costing some families more than they can afford.

West Side Pastors Emerge as Political Force

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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When it comes to African American political influence, Chicago’s West Side has long played second fiddle to the South Side. A group of West Side pastors is trying to change that. They’re tackling issues ranging from police conduct to sexual assault. They’re taking shots at Mayor Richard Daley’s administration. And they’re trying to propel one of their own into the nation’s Congress. We report from our West Side bureau.

Chicago Program Helps Iraqis Save Their Cultural Heritage

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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Iraq’s often called the cradle of civilization. The area’s home to the world’s first cities and one of the earliest forms of writing. But during the 2003 invasion, looters stole thousands of items documenting that history. A two-year program at the Field Museum and the Oriental Institute hopes to help Iraqi scientists fix and preserve their damaged heritage.

Closing of Catholic Girls School Symbolic of Shrinking Nun Population

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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The driving force behind the Notre Dame High School for Girls is a woman named Sister Bridget. But when Notre Dame on Chicago’s Northwest Side opened for school this month, she wasn’t at the helm. The shrinking numbers of nuns across the nation has forced the school to close and relocate under new management.

Critics: Catholic Charities Fails Latinos

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago says its ranks now include almost a million Latinos. Many are poor. Many have roots in Mexico. And some lack documents to be living in the United States. The archdiocese’s human-service arm, Catholic Charities, says it does all it can for the Latino population. But WBEZ has obtained some Catholic Charities records that raise doubts. We report from our West Side bureau.

Ramadan Fast Lasts Longer

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ramadan begins today. And local Muslims may find it harder to fast this year.

Islam follows the lunar calendar. This year, for the first time since the 1980s, Ramadan falls entirely in the summer here when days are longer. That means the fast from sunrise to sunset is longer too.

Ahmed Rehab, who heads the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, thinks that's a good thing.

REHAB: The whole point of Ramadan is self control, being able to aspire to the triumph of the will of the soul against the temptations of the soul. And so with the longer days and the hotter weather that challenge becomes more difficult. Therefore the ensuing triumph becomes more meaningful.

Rehab says fasting also helps Muslims understand the suffering of the poor.

Not everyone has to fast. There are exceptions for pregnant women, the elderly and the sick.

Israeli, Palestinian Teens Try to Find Common Ground on North Shore

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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The Middle East has been the center of intense conflict for generations. So when some Israeli and Palestinian teens visited American kids this summer on a peace-seeking mission, many arrived full of anger about their situation back home. But once they got here, they were pushed to find a new way of understanding their own reality and that of their opponents.