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NPR Ombudsman
Just Tell Me When It's Over: Play-By-Play Coverage In Selecting The New Pope
March 15, 2013 Many listeners complain that for the last month NPR has been "all Catholic radio, all the time." Our review finds that the story count has indeed been overwhelming. But in a comparison among religions and denominations, Catholicism is unique in size, institutional organization and global influence. Now that we have Pope Francis, however, a news break might be nice.
The Two-Way
Text And Video Of Pope Benedict XVI's Resignation Announcement
February 11, 2013 "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry," the 85-year-old pontiff says.
The Two-Way
Pope Benedict XVI Is Resigning
February 11, 2013 Citing his age (85) and diminished strength, the pontiff plans to step down effective Feb. 28. It's likely that a conclave to elect a new pope will be held by mid-March. A pope hasn't stepped down this way since 1415.
The Two-Way
L.A. Archbishop Relieves Retired Cardinal Mahony Of Duties, Releases Abuse Files
January 31, 2013 Archbishop Jose Gomez said Mahony will no longer have any administrative or public duties, and that Thomas Curry, a former aide to Mahony, had stepped down from his post as regional bishop of Santa Barbara. The files amount to thousands of pages related to the abuse of children by priests.
The Two-Way
Catholic Nun Group Rejects Vatican Report That Found Them Afoul Of Doctrine
June 1, 2012 The Leadership Conference of Women Religious said the report was based on "unsubstantiated accusations." The group now plans to take their displeasure to Rome.
The Two-Way
Milwaukee Archdiocese Admits It Paid Abusive Priests To Leave Ministry
May 31, 2012 The policy was crafted under then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan, now a cardinal and a leading Catholic figure in the U.S.
NPR Ombudsman
Does Roasting The Pope As A Gay Icon Cross The Line?
March 22, 2012 Many listeners said Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me insulted Catholics when it joked Pope Benedict XVI was a gay icon. The sensitivity is understandable, but much depends on your acceptance of homosexuality, which most Catholics in fact do. Humor lightens the tension of a nation caught in social transition.
Shots - Health News
Does Contraception Really Pay For Itself?
February 15, 2012 The Obama administration claims health insurance companies won't have a problem providing free contraceptive coverage for women who work at religious groups because it is much cheaper for the industry when pregnancies are planned.
Blog Of The Nation
January 24th: What's On Today's Show
January 24, 2012 In the first hour of Talk of the Nation, how the Catholic church has changed over the past decade, and preventing further damage to the climate. In the second hour, runaway kids, and examining the question, Is Turkey the new normal?
The Two-Way
Bishop Resigns After Acknowledging Two Children
January 4, 2012 A Catholic bishop in California has resigned his post after revealing in December that he has two teenage children, who live in another state.
NPR Ombudsman
Is NPR Doing Too Many Stories About Catholicism?
December 20, 2011 Stories on the new Catholic liturgy prompted complaints that Catholicism is over-covered. Islam, Judaism and Christianity were in fact mentioned much more this year. A monthly average of three stories mentioning the denomination practiced by a quarter of all Americans doesn't seem out of line.
The Two-Way
Vatican Letter Urges Clergy To Create Guidelines To Stop Sexual Abuse
May 16, 2011 The Vatican published a letter telling every Catholic conference in the world to draft guidelines to prevent sexual abuse.
The Two-Way
Catholic Church OKs 'Confession App,' But You Still Have To See A Priest
February 9, 2011 "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" helps penitents prepare for the sacrament by walking them through the process. But they still have to go into that confessional and speak to a priest.