Settlement reached in Muslim's suit over denial of time off for hajj

Safoorah Khan hoped 2008 would be a turning point in her spiritual life.

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  Requirement of the faith

Parking solutions don't have to be taxing

Before rushing ahead with a weekday parking tax proposed last week for the downtown area, Chicago officials should closely study a new...

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  Proposed parking taxes meant to decrease congestion

Illinois inmate sues Holy See for alleged sexual abuse

An Illinois prisoner has filed a lawsuit against the Holy See and the Archdiocese of Chicago, alleging sexual abuse by a former priest and...

Jews mark Sukkot with appeal to mortgage bankers

Beneath a makeshift shelter of canvas and bamboo outside the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Tuesday, rabbis and community organizers sought to...

Catholic Charities in Peoria Diocese to end state contracts, transfer foster care services

No longer able to provide publicly funded foster care and adoption services unless it complies with Illinois law, Catholic Charities in...

Congregations consider women's infertility on Rosh Hashanah

As her conservative Jewish congregation at Anshe Emet in Lakeview joyfully ushered in Rosh Hashanah last year, Rebecca Gruenspan could...

Notre Dame names academic hall after Lake Bluff woman

Flanked by the University of Notre Dame's signature Golden Dome and Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Carole Sandner Hall stands as a monument...

St. Xavier University resists adjunct union

For years, some Roman Catholic bishops and conservatives have complained that American Catholic colleges have strayed from church teachings....

Chicago Muslims answer call to public service after 9/11

For many Chicago Muslims, Sept. 11, 2001, set off a powerful alarm, cautioning them that they couldn't take their status in America for...

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  Being Muslim in America: Dana Jabri

Gross anatomy at Catholic school teaches sacred, profane

Every year, first-year medical students grapple with gross anatomy, approaching their first human dissection with a mixture of anticipation,...

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  Honoring medical cadavers

Willow Creek pastor clarifies views on homosexuality

Amid accusations that Willow Creek Community Church promotes an anti-gay agenda, the Rev. Bill Hybels on Thursday tried to clear the air...

Starbucks CEO cancels speech at Willow Creek church as gay petition circulates

Already catching heat for how a cafe manager allegedly berated and fired a gay employee, the CEO of Starbucks suddenly canceled an...

Salvation on the air

Since the dawn of television, preachers have seen the electronic medium as a channel to spread the Gospel. Televangelist Joel Osteen, who is...

Catholic Charities foster future in limbo

When Pat Schlesser's marriage ended 16 years ago, it was an opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a foster parent — a...

2 women sue archdiocese for alleged sex abuse

Two women filed separate lawsuits against the Chicago Archdiocese on Tuesday, alleging they were sexually abused in the 1950s by a priest at...

Spirituality in the kitchen: Wholesome and halal

Yvonne Maffei spent last week in her kitchen simmering soups and sauces, packing her freezers with fruits, meats and herbs and taking...

Singing the anthem not just for the brave

O, say can you sing? Joseph Price thinks everyone should be able to belt out the "The Star-Spangled Banner," and he's crooning in the key of...

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  Joe Price sings the National Anthem at the Kane County Cougars game

Dalai Lama, religious leaders seek common ground

Three religious scholars reflected upon oneness, humanity and compassion with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on Monday, capping the...

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  Dalai Lama visits Chicago

Dalai Lama provides perspective on happiness

The Dalai Lama was in a jolly good mood on Sunday, and so was his audience.

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  China objects to Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama

Religions prepare welcome for Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama's message of compassion long has transcended Tibetan Buddhism and enchanted people of all faiths — and no faith.

Judge: Catholic Charities can keep serving foster kids, for now

SPRINGFIELD — Catholic Charities won the right to keep serving nearly 2,000 foster children in Illinois for at least another month, as...

State severs foster care ties with Catholic Charities

The state has declined to renew its foster care and adoption contracts with Catholic Charities across Illinois, possibly ending a historic...

Seminarian follows her calling, and her heart

When Jeannine Oakes answered God's call to become a pastor, it was a moment of both clarity and confusion.

As Catholic Charities bows out of foster care, secular agency steps up

Guided by his church's teachings, Bishop Thomas Doran of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford believes state legislators — by...

Employee accuses circuit court of anti-Muslim harassment

A former child care attendant for the Cook County Circuit Court has sued the court, its chief judge and her former supervisor for...

Christian broadcaster sued in child-sex case

An international Christian radio and television network based in West Frankfort in southern Illinois and the brother of the network's...

Most ignore street preacher, but court heeded his argument

Sporting a ball cap reading "Repent" and brandishing a bullhorn, the Rev. Frank Teesdale warns strangers at the corner of 18th Street and...

Agency to take over foster care for Catholic Charities in Rockford

An independent child-welfare agency based in Ottawa, Ill., has stepped up to hire all the caseworkers and support staff serving foster cases...

Pope names 2 new Chicago auxiliary bishops

Pope Benedict XVI has named two Chicago priests to serve as auxiliary bishops in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Chicago businesswoman resigns from Notre Dame board

A Chicago business executive resigned Wednesday from the University of Notre Dame's board of trustees after a conservative Roman Catholic...