Ash Wednesday

WASHINGTON - It was standing room only in the back as patrons participated in an Ash Wednesday Mass led by Cardinal Donald Wuerl (NP) in Washington, DC on March 8, 2011. Several masses were held today at the Cathedra of St. Matthew the Apostle. The Cardinal announced the Catholic Churches launch of an initiative to invite catholics back to confession. ( Photo by Linda Davidson/ The Washington Post)( Photo by Linda Davidson/ The Washington Post)

Lent in a time of a Catholic culture war

Kevin Clarke

It seems Ash Wednesday came early this year. See these Christians: how they love to fight each other.

What are you giving up for Lent?

What are you giving up for Lent?

Elizabeth Tenety

Many people give up a vice during Lent as an attempt to get closer to God.

Ash Wednesday in the Holy Land

Ash Wednesday in the Holy Land

Daniela Deane

As Lent begins, many challenges face Jerusalem’s small Christian community.

Faith could be on display at debate

Faith could be on display at debate

Felicia Sonmez

That's because the debate takes place on Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Catholic holy season of Lent.

Quote of the day

Santorum: I’m ‘not going to question’ Obama’s faith

Santorum: I’m ‘not going to question’ Obama’s faith

Georgetown/ On Faith

The GOP presidential candidate previously called the President Obama’s worldview “phony theology.”

Religion News Service

From the On Faith Blog Network

Why Baptists stand with Catholics on birth control mandate

Why Baptists stand with Catholics on birth control mandate

Bryant Wright, Richard Land and O. S. Hawkins

Despite our theological differences, we cannot remain silent while others find their First Amendment freedom of religion rights trampled.

Franklin Graham questions Obama’s Christian beliefs

Franklin Graham questions Obama’s Christian beliefs

Elizabeth Tenety

The son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, on “Morning Joe” Tuesday, also praised Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum.

The GOP’s war on women and our right to self-defense

The GOP’s war on women and our right to self-defense

Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

As a Christian I claim that women are fully created in the image of God and have equal dignity and worth.

Fat Tuesday’s last call before Lent

Fat Tuesday’s last call before Lent

Elizabeth Tenety

Fat Tuesday has a reputation for the raucous, but the celebratory season before Lent’s fasting and repentence has deep religous roots

Religion on the campaign trail

(Susan Walsh / AP)

  • Religion on the campaign trail

    Religion on the campaign trail

    Scenes of religious faith meeting politics in the 2012 campaign.

    http://img3.wpdigital.net/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/02/17/SocialIssues-Religion-Immigration/Images/Obama_Birth_Control_0d1dc-660.jpg 296 194

What’s wrong with the separation of church and state?

What’s wrong with the separation of church and state?

Jacques Berlinerblau

A reminder to Sen. Santorum: Religious minorities (like Catholics!) often have pragmatic reasons for embracing secularism.

Faith, sin and Jeremy Lin

(Chris Trotman / GETTY IMAGES)

  • Faith, sin and Jeremy Lin

    Faith, sin and Jeremy Lin

    Q&A l How can the NBA phenom stay grounded? His pastor says Lin’s answer is simply: ‘I understand that I’m a sinner.’

    Elizabeth Tenety

    http://img2.wpdigital.net/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/02/16/Local/Images/139045813.jpg 296 197

Jeremy Lin’s bold humility

Jeremy Lin’s bold humility

June-Ho Kim

Everything Lin needed to know about servant leadership, he learned at Harvard.

Giving in to the Sabbath

Daniela Deane

Although there are strict rules about what not to do, Shabbat’s spirit is essentially joyful.

On Faith / Local

Religion

Clash of religion, contraception at Hill hearing (2:04)

Clash of religion, contraception at Hill hearing (2:04)

Religious leaders told a House panel Thursday the Obama administration was violating basic rights to religious freedom with its policies for requiring that employees of religion-affiliated institutions have access to birth control coverage. (Feb. 16)
Muslims call for NYPD chief to resign (1:24)

Muslims call for NYPD chief to resign (1:24)

Muslim groups are calling for New York's police commissioner to step down because of his appearance in a film they say paints them in a bad light. (Jan. 26)
Atheist billboard sparks debate in Denver

Atheist billboard sparks debate in Denver

A Denver, Colo. billboard isn't even up yet and it is already sparking a huge debate. KCNC-TV's Dominic Garcia reports.
Imam: Marines behavior is 'reprehensible' (1:26)

Imam: Marines behavior is 'reprehensible' (1:26)

New York-based Imam Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid says video depicting what appears to be four Marines urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters is reprehensible and the Marines should be held accountable. (Jan. 12)
Catholics around the world mark Epiphany

Catholics around the world mark Epiphany

Revelers around the world gathered on Thursday evening to mark the eve of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrating the story of the coming of the Three Kings, also known as the three wise men or magi, to baby Jesus. (Jan. 5)
Muslim leaders to boycott NYC prayer breakfast

Muslim leaders to boycott NYC prayer breakfast

Activists upset at police efforts to spy on Muslims plan to skip Mayor Michael Bloomberg's annual year-end interfaith breakfast, saying Bloomberg shouldn't be defending the tactics. (Dec. 29)
Bethlehem, Nazareth light Christmas trees

Bethlehem, Nazareth light Christmas trees

Christmas trees were lit up across the Middle East on Thursday evening in the traditional birthplace and homeland of Jesus. (Dec. 15)
Pope meets with new leader of Italy

Pope meets with new leader of Italy

Pope Benedict XVI has had his first meeting with Italy's new leader on the tarmac of Rome's airport just before taking off for a trip to Africa. (Nov. 18)
Would Joel Osteen officiate a gay marriage?

Would Joel Osteen officiate a gay marriage?

The Washington Post's Sally Quinn sat down with megapastor Joel Osteen to talk about his new book, "Everyday a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week," and his views on homosexuality and whether he would ever attend or officiate a gay marriage.
Joel Osteen on Pastor Robert Jeffress and Mormonism

Joel Osteen on Pastor Robert Jeffress and Mormonism

The Washington Post's Sally Quinn sat down with megapastor Joel Osteen to talk about his new book, "Everyday a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week," and the controversial comments made by Rick Perry supporter Pastor Robert Jeffress on Mormonism.
Joel Osteen on his 'Night of Hope'

Joel Osteen on his 'Night of Hope'

The Washington Post's Sally Quinn sat down with megapastor Joel Osteen to talk about his new book, "Everyday a Friday: How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week," and his upcoming 'Night of Hope' which will be held in Washington, D.C. next April in Nationals park.
Norvel becomes first African American to head Josephites

Norvel becomes first African American to head Josephites

Father William Norvel is celebrating mass at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic church in Baltimore. This summer he became the first African American to head a Catholic order, the Josephites, a group of Catholic priests who came from Europe 140 years ago to minister to freed slaves.

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