Julia Duin

Prosecution of charity ruled out in abortion case

The Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney for Richmond says he will not prosecute a local Catholic charity for violating the state's parental-notification law after four of its employees helped a 16-year-old get an abortion in January. Published July 8, 2008

DUIN: What happened to the women?

The other day I received a new book, "Religion and the American Future," published by the American Enterprise Institute, that had a curious omission. Published July 6, 2008

Pro-life black pastors wary of Obama

Conservative black pastors nationwide are caught between irreconcilable opposites - congregations that favor Sen. Barack Obama versus their personal doubts about his politics. Published July 4, 2008

DUIN: Church remnant regroups

The atmosphere was as icy as the air-conditioning last Sunday as a group of 40 Episcopalians gathered in the basement of a Presbyterian church. Published July 3, 2008

Bishop knew of abortion plan

The Roman Catholic bishop of Richmond was told that a diocesan charity planned to help a teenage foster child get an abortion in January and did not try to prevent the procedure. Published June 30, 2008

DUIN: Tales of virtue in short supply

Can virtue be presented in children's picture books? Kids have more time to read during the summer so I am on the lookout for books that nourish the spirit. I'm talking about stories like Margaret Wise Brown's "The Runaway Bunny" and Robert Munsch's "Love You Forever," both about indomitable love. Published June 29, 2008

Virginia judge affirms parish property rights

A Virginia circuit judge has handed a crucial victory to a group of 11 former Episcopal churches that left the Diocese of Virginia 18 months ago over issues of theology and the 2003 consecration of the denomination's first openly gay bishop. Published June 28, 2008

Protest gives preview of abortion debate

A small but vibrant protest on Capitol Hill on Thursday previewed what pro-choice and pro-life activists say will be a defining issue in this year's presidential election - abortion. Published June 27, 2008

Poll: Salvation through myriad faiths

Most Americans say that many roads lead to heaven, according to a U.S. Religious Landscape Survey released Monday by the Pew Forum. Published June 24, 2008

DUIN: Anti-Semitic views can be changed

Years ago, while reporting for the Houston Chronicle, I realized I'd better wise up in terms of covering Muslims, many of whom were employed with the local oil industry. This was years before reporters got serious about covering Islam. The first thing I did was read the first five chapters (suras) of the Koran, Islam's holy book. What struck me was the passages comparing Jews to apes or pigs. I could not miss the deep invective against Jews for their hard-heartedness against Allah. The Koran built a case for the Jews - and the Christians as well - as being replaced by the followers of Allah. Published June 22, 2008

DUIN: Leaders meet in secrecy

One of the area's luxury hotels - the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa - was the site of a secret meeting of conservative world Anglican leaders that suddenly ended Wednesday. Published June 19, 2008

Virginia law eyed in girl’s abortion

Federal authorities are investigating the actions of a Catholic charity in Richmond which helped a 16-year-old Guatemalan girl to receive an abortion in January, in possible violation of Virginia law. Published June 18, 2008

DUIN: D.C. motorists or time bandits?

Does Washington have a besetting sin? You know, something that's unique to this area. Just as the spirit of gambling afflicts Las Vegas; violence afflicts Detroit; drugs affect Miami. Published June 15, 2008

7 schools hold final Masses

Sunday was the last Mass for the 175 students at Holy Comforter/St. Cyprian Catholic School on Capitol Hill - a final farewell to decades of memories of uniforms, crucifixes and prayers. Published June 9, 2008

Tough financial times for 11 area churches

I've been covering the Episcopal Church since 1986 and have taken a special interest in the largest property dispute in the denomination's history. Published June 8, 2008

Churches unite against U.S. torture

Almost 300 congregations across the country have combined forces this month to try to shame the United States government about torture through black-and-white banners posted on church properties. Published June 6, 2008

DUIN: Stepping up to the challenge

Not long ago, I learned I would get a twice-weekly religion column, a real luxury in these days of newspaper cutbacks. Published June 5, 2008

Immigrants seek refuge in California churches

One of the most dramatic stories in America's immigration saga occurs every Sunday morning on Royal Avenue outside Simi Valley United Church of Christ. Published May 30, 2008

Seattle’s laws look past immigrants on the run

Seattle is one of the most liberal cities in the country on immigration and one of eight cities visited by The Washington Times in its examination of the sanctuary movement. Published May 29, 2008

Constitution argued in Episcopal case

Lawyers for the Episcopal Church and a group of dissident congregations that split off to form a new denomination tangled in court yesterday over the constitutionality of a 141-year-old Virginia law that deals with the disposal of church property. Published May 29, 2008