Stories

Small plumes of smoke from newly extinguished candles rose in the sanctuary of Immaculate Conception Parish in downtown Cedar Rapids as a young Hispanic man, Sergao, explained why it was important for him to come to the church and pray for all affected by the recent immigration raids in Postville.
“It was important to pray for [...]

Theologians will gather in Iowa City this week to discuss — what else? God. In particular g(G)od’s existence or non-existence. Of course there’s more, including the infamous “death of God” theologian, below the fold…

Iowa’s Republican Senator has found an important ally in his quest to reign in tax-exempt religious charities.

Almost 50 people gathered at the University of Iowa on Friday to discuss the two things you’re not supposed to talk about in polite company: religion and politics.

Political science professor Cary Covington’s presentation on “God Talk on the Campaign Trail” outlined how he sees the pendulum of religious favor swinging back to Democratic presidential candidates, [...]

The Diocese of Davenport released a letter yesterday stating that one of its priests, the Very Rev. Gerald Stouvenel, was placed on administrative leave July 27. The letter was released by Davenport Bishop Martin Amos and stated that Stouvenel will remain on leave until investigations regarding sexual abuse are complete.
“According to the diocese of Davenport [...]

Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy has announced that the university's athletic program can have a religious adviser, the Des Moines Register reported today:
Geoffroy approved a "volunteer life skills" position for the department to provide faith-based counseling and referrals to athletes but warned that the adviser would be watched closely.
"In carrying out the volunteer [...]

Six Iowans have been tapped to serve on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s National Faith and Values Steering Committee. Of the six, only one is female and none of the Iowans will serve as chairs of the committee.
The members are:

Kathy Oltmans, Christian activist of Council Bluffs

Tom Coats, vice president of Truth about Gambling

Joe Earle, former [...]

The recent announcement that the Iowa State University athletics department wished to hire a chaplain for the football team has brought criticism from a variety of sources, including ISU professors and the Des Moines Register. Iowa Independent talked with athletic directors and chaplains from other Iowa schools about the issue, though several declined to comment.

Last night, sandwiched between the Democratic and Republican presidential debates in New Hampshire, CNN hosted the “Sojourners Presidential Forum” on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The forum, organized by the Rev. Jim Wallis, was broadcast as a part of CNN’s “The Situation Room.” Jim Wallis is the author of “God’s Politics: [...]

Although two Republican Presidential hopefuls spoke at a conference on human trafficking and child abuse Friday, they carried very different messages.
Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback was an expected guest and listed on the conference program. Remarks regarding his sponsorship of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and hearings of women and children involved in such abuse were [...]