A New Leader Confronts Catholics’ Disaffection

"Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, elected president of the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops last week, said Monday that the bishops faced the urgent task of stopping the huge exodus of Roman Catholics from the church of their birth."

Research Shows Grateful People Are Healthier

"A growing body of research suggests that maintaining an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional and physical well-being."

Vatican: Everyone Can Use Condoms to Prevent HIV

"Using a condom is a lesser evil than transmitting HIV to a sexual partner — even if that means a woman averts a possible pregnancy, the Vatican said Tuesday, signaling a seismic shift in papal teaching as it explained Pope Benedict XVI's comments."

New Bible Drops Gender-Neutral Language of '05 Version

"Since its debut in 1978, the New International Version — known as the NIV — has been the Bible of choice for evangelicals, selling more copies than any other version. But a 2005 gender-inclusive edition bombed after being condemned as too liberal. Translators hope their latest edition, which debuted online this month, will avoid a similar fate."

Bible App Hits 10 Million Downloads

"Tuesday the church announced more than ten million smartphone users worldwide have downloaded its free Bible application. LifeChurch hopes by having a copy handy, people will be more likely to read scripture. The app, which is based on the church-funded website, YouVersion.com, launched in July of 2008."

Poll: 4 in 10 Say Marriage Becoming Obsolete

"Nearly four in 10 Americans think marriage is becoming obsolete, according to a new survey that reveals changing attitudes on gay marriage, unwed couples and the definition of what a family is. The study, conducted by social scientists at the Pew Research Center in coordination with Time magazine, also shows that Americans' attitudes toward family issues differ by race, age and social class."

How Spiritual Traits Enhance Students' Lives—and Maybe Their Grades

"During college, students attend religious services less often, but they become more spiritual—and that growth is linked to a number of positive academic and personal outcomes. That's one of the key findings of Cultivating the Spirit: How College Can Enhance Students' Inner Lives, a new book based on a longitudinal study of students."

The Shadow Scholar

"Ed Dante is a pseudonym for a writer who lives on the East Coast. Through a literary agent, he approached The Chronicle wanting to tell the story of how he makes a living writing papers for a custom-essay company and to describe the extent of student cheating he has observed."

The Catholicity Test

"Review of Roman Catholic colleges' adherence to church guidelines reopens debate about balancing allegiance to doctrine and free inquiry in academe."

Catholic Bishops Face Shortage of Exorcists

"Citing a shortage of priests who can perform the rite, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops are holding a conference on how to conduct exorcisms."

10 Questions for Stephen Hawking

"The renowned physicist has a new book, The Grand Design. Stephen Hawking will now take your questions."

Germany Ordains First Female Rabbi Since Holocaust

"Germany ordained its first female rabbi since the Holocaust on Thursday, marking a major step in the reintegration of Jews into modern German life."

Cuba Catholics to Open First New Seminary in Decades

"The Roman Catholic Church will open on Wednesday its first new seminary in Cuba in more than half a century in a further sign of its improving relations with the island's communist-led government."

Israeli Jews at Odds With Liberal Judaism in U.S.

"Many American Jews — whose faith is seen by the ultra-Orthodox as blurred by intermarriage and fading adherence to tradition — are feeling rejected and unwelcome in Israel."