Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Supreme Court OKs prayer before public meetings
A New York town's practice of opening its government meetings with a prayer does not violate the constitutional separation of church and state, a sharply divided Supreme Court ruled Monday, in a decision that both sides said could signal a major shift in the role of religion in the public square. Published May 5, 2014
Obama skewers the powerful at correspondents’ dinner
The botched Obamacare health care website, the missing Malaysia Airlines flight and midterm elections were all fair game Saturday at the 100th annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Published May 4, 2014
U.N. torture committee probes Vatican on sex abuse scandal, human rights issues
The Vatican is bracing for a blistering session this week before the U.N. Committee Against Torture, which is expected to address the Holy See's handling of its churchwide sexual abuse scandal and its infringement on human rights. Published May 4, 2014
Obama, Sebelius make fun of health care website failures at WHCD
The botched health care site, Malaysian Airlines and midterm elections were all fair game Saturday at the 100th annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Published May 4, 2014
Methodists OK same-sex benefits for employees
Gay employees of the United Methodist Church can now claim benefits for their spouses, the church's highest judicial board recently decided, but they still will have to find another church if they want to get married. Published May 1, 2014
Higher Ground: Palin and baptism
An online Christian community action group has launched a petition against former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for her recent comments jokingly referring to waterboarding as a "baptism" for terrorists. Published May 1, 2014
Horses for healing: Derby Day gives community a chance to help the needy
Katie Parry's muscles were so weakened from cerebral palsy that when she rode her first horse at age 4, all she could do was lie down on its back. Published May 1, 2014
United Methodist Church to grant benefits to employees in same-sex marriages
The United Methodist Church has approved some benefits to some of its employees in same-sex marriages, a decision that could further divide the splintering denomination over the issue of gay rights. Published April 30, 2014
Biblical approach to poverty poses challenges
Before the apple, before the serpent, Adam and Eve had jobs — a biblical blueprint for how humanity should address helping its poor, a panel of faith-based leaders and researchers said Tuesday. Published April 29, 2014
Peace advocates begin 40 days of prayer, fasting
The 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Peace is focusing on unrest in Eastern Europe. Published April 29, 2014
Concert for new Catholic saints set for Monday
Celebrations to honor the Catholic Church’s two newest saints — Popes John XXIII and John Paul II — continue around the D.C. area. Published April 28, 2014
Local ceremony honors canonization of John Paul II
When Cheverly resident Reton Gaffney couldn't make it to Rome for the canonization of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II, she found a local way to participate in Catholic Church history. Published April 27, 2014
Science and the City: Mix of entertainment, education at D.C. festival
The USA Science and Engineering Festival is in town, so forget the dinosaur dioramas, toss out those paper-mache solar systems, and clean up any sloppy volcanos. Published April 24, 2014
Higher Ground: Humanists in the foxholes
The U.S. Army this week announced that "humanist" is now officially recognized as a "faith code" within its ranks. Humanism, according to the American Humanist Association, is "non-theistic." Published April 24, 2014
Chris Brown’s assault trial delayed by D.C. judge
A D.C. judge on Wednesday delayed the assault trial for singer Chris Brown, allowing the Grammy winner to return to Los Angeles and giving his attorneys several months to decide how to proceed without the help of a key witness. Published April 23, 2014
In the company of a saint: Catholic Church will canonize Pope John Paul and Pope John XXIII
Andreas Widmer spent two years at the side of Pope John Paul II as part of the elite papal security force known as the Swiss Guard. On Sunday, he will be one of the thousands of people in Vatican City for the canonization of his mentor. Published April 23, 2014
Chris Brown assault trial delayed again
A D.C. judge on Wednesday delayed the assault trial for singer Chris Brown, allowing the Grammy winner to return to Los Angeles and giving his attorneys several months to decide how to proceed without the help of a key witness. Published April 23, 2014
‘8THEIST’ plate denial sparks lawsuit in New Jersey
Calling it a case for religious and political freedom, a New Jersey woman is suing the state's Motor Vehicle Commission after her order for an "8THEIST" custom license plate was denied. Published April 22, 2014
Faith scores again at the box office
Even A-lister Johnny Depp is no match for this year's juggernaut of faith-based films, as the movie "Heaven is for Real" outearned the Hollywood star and ended Easter weekend as the country's third most popular film. Published April 21, 2014
Easter Monday event at National Zoo ends with shooting
Two people were shot Monday afternoon near the National Zoo, marking the second time in three years that an annual Easter Monday event has ended with violence. Published April 21, 2014