by G. Jeffrey MacDonald | Feb 1, 2011 | News
(RNS) In a blow to retirees of a major Lutheran publishing house, a federal judge has ruled that Augsburg Fortress’ now-dissolved pension plan was exempt from federal regulations that would have required it to meet minimum funding levels. But the case remains open as...
by G. Jeffrey MacDonald | Jan 6, 2011 | News
(RNS) After a lengthy appeals process, the Vatican has ruled that nine Boston-area Catholic parishes should be closed despite six-year vigils and other forms of protest from parishioners. In a letter dated Dec. 15, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State said Pope Benedict...
by G. Jeffrey MacDonald | Dec 14, 2010 | News
(RNS) Religious denominations have long provided retired clergy and staff with secure pension payments—more secure, in some cases, than corporate retirement plans. But some recent bumps have drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of so-called “church plans,” which are...
by G. Jeffrey MacDonald | Sep 10, 2010 | News
(RNS) In what’s being described as a “counter action” to “an act of hatred against Muslims,” the Massachusetts Bible Society said it would give away two Qurans for every one burned at a church in Florida. But late Thursday (Sept. 9), the Rev. Terry Jones, pastor of...
