And throughout the region, muslims, Christians A Jews all have been offering special prayers. In his fourday visit to southeast asia, president obama became the first u. S. President to visit myanmar, or burma. The president urged the new civilian government to continue its steps toward democracy. He also specifically called for more religious freedom. On a stop in thailand, the president visited bangkoks famous temple of the reclining buddha. He told monks there he needed prayers for help in his dealings with congress back home. And heret home, those lawmake are negotiating with the administration over how to avoid the socalled fiscal cliff looming at the end of the year. This week, a group of christian leaders urged congress and the president not to cut antipoverty programs as they struggle to reach a deal. In an open letter, the leaders said we pray during this season, in which we give thanks and offer gifts, that you will advance policies that protect the poor, not ones that make t
Most severely disabled are welcomed and put to work. And kim lawton reports on the st. Olaf Christmas Festival in minnesota and the worldrenowned st. Olaf choir. Welcome, im bob abernethy. Its good to have you with us. As congress and the president struggle to reach an agreement on taxes and federal spending, religious leaders gathered on capitol hill to once again urge lawmakers to protect antipoverty programs. The Interfaith Group called cuts to those programs immoral. We as religious call on our countrys leaders to not push the countrys most marginalized peoples off the fiscal cliff, palestinians celebrated this week after the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to recognize palestine as a nonmember observer state. Many jewish groups denounced the u. N. Action, saying it undermines future peace negotiations with israel. Some u. S. Christian and Muslim Leaders supported the move. The palestinians were not granted full u. N. Membership, but their upgraded status could
Coming up, David Tereshchuk on the lilongctivm of rosa parks, who would have been 100 years old next week. Also, judy valente reports on the city long known for its religious conservatism that spent all last year fostering interfaith understanding. And sufi whirling dervishes at washingtons Smithsonian Institution. Welcome. Welcome. Im bob abernethy. Its good to have you with us. A dramatic developme this week the Catholic Churchs sex abuse crisis. Prominent retired Cardinal Roger mahony was stripped of his public and Administrative Church duties in los angeles amid widespread criticism of how he covered up allegations of child sex abuse by priests. L. A. s current archbishop jose gomez took the unprecedented step as the archdiocese began releasing internal documents which revealed the extent to which mahony worked to protect the church from the abuse scandal. Gomez said the behavr described in the files was sad and evil. Mahony has issued several apologies for his actions. Advocates f
Coming up, tim obrien on the issues and personal stories behind the gay marriage cases the Supreme Court will soon hear. And, a kim lawton report on the growing number of american adults, now almost 20 , who are not affiliated with any religion. How might they influence american politics . Welcome. Welcome. Im bob abernethy. Its good to have you th u at the vatican, as the catholic cardinals chose this coming tuesday to begin the papal conclave, more groundwork was laid this week for the selection of the new pope. Our managing editor, kim lawton, reports from rome. Since monday, the cardinals have been gathering for a series of meetings what they call congregations to discuss the future of the catholic church. Thats where they meet and have speeches, listen to each other, do some logistical planning for the conclave. Some of its very boring. But the important part that they do there was actually talk about some of the issues that face the church and what they think is needed. Father th
Coming up we revisit the 20 of americans who say they have no religious affiliation. And kim lawton reports on the ongoing standoff between the vatican and american nuns. Welcome, im bob abernethy. Its good to have you with us. At the vatican, the college of cardinals is making preparations for the selection of the next pope now that benedict xvi has officially stepped down, the first pope to do so in over 600 years. On thursday, his final day, benedict met with the cardinals already gathered in rome and promised unconditional reverence and obedience to his successor. He then took a helicopter to the papal villa, castel gandolfo, where he will stay until moving to a vatican monastery for what hes said will be a life of prayer outside of public view. During his last papal audience on wednesday, benedict spoke of the joy of leading the church, as well as the many difficulties he faced a pope. I will continue to accompany the church with my prayers and i ask each of you to pray for me and