Amid all the fevered speculation about who might succeed Pope Benedict XVI, one possibility seems particularly tantalizing: that the conclave could elect an African to be the first black pontiff in the nearly 2,000-year history of the papacy. But in all that time has there really never been a black pope? Or an African pope? It depends on what you mean by “black” and by “African,” and answering those questions requires a bit of ancient history and some modern context.
Christians have heard the story of Jesus’ birth many times, but if we really stop to think about it, the idea of a virgin giving birth to the savior can sound unbelievable. The story was made possible because someone — Mary — said yes.
Prolific Presbyterian hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has penned a new hymn dedicated to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). The new hymn ― to the “O Waly Waly” tune ― is entitled “You Give Us Hope This Easter Day.”
It’s not just the future of the Catholic Church riding on the selection of the next pope. More than 20,000 people have bet hundreds of thousands of dollars on the papal change and international bookmakers expect that dollar figure to quickly move into the millions.
Christian theology regarding all people as created in God’s image can help overcome the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This and other views on the impact of HIV in Africa, its gender dynamics and the role of people living with HIV, were shared by Musa W. Dube, a former consultant of the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA) in a recent interview.
Stress comes with the job for most clergy. Long hours, the many demands on their time and addressing the often conflicting needs and desires of congregation members are major challenges.
Bread for the World and Participant Media have announced an alliance for the launch of the upcoming documentary film, “A Place at the Table,” which coincides with Bread for the World’s 2013 Offering of Letters.
The bios of the musicians who make up the band Micah’s Rule read like many Christian artists.