Police say a Fort Dodge minister was robbed and murdered outside his church. Sixty-four-year-old Allen W. Henderson of Fort Dodge died of injuries after he was assaulted outside St. Paul Lutheran Church early Wednesday evening. Henderson was transported to a Fort Dodge hospital but was dead on … [Read more...]
A new bishop for the Des Moines Catholic Diocese (AUDIO)
Pope Francis has named a bishop-elect for the Des Moines Catholic Diocese to lead more than 100,000 Catholics in 80 parishes. Father William Joensen will be ordained as bishop on September 27. Joensen spoke this morning during a news conference at the Diocese headquarters in Des Moines and … [Read more...]
Senators urge Iowa Christians to address racial divide
Two U.S. Senators who may be Republican presidential candidates in 2024 say Christians need to be leading the nation toward racial reconciliation. "I don't believe Washington changes the country. I think the country changes Washington," said Oklahoma Senator James Lankford. Lankford. Lankford … [Read more...]
Attorney General asks Catholic bishops to turn over priest abuse information
The Iowa Attorney General's Office is asking the four Catholic dioceses of Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque and Sioux City to provide information on records of clergy sexual abuse. A spokesman for the AG's office, Lynn Hicks, says the Des Moines and Sioux City diocese have already done so and the … [Read more...]
Scott County Church Memorial Day tradition has gone on for 100 years
A holiday tradition in Scott County will be observed for the 100th time on this Memorial Day. The annual service at the Summit Church, north of Davenport, is one of the oldest, continuous Memorial Day observances west of the Mississippi River. The president of the Scott County Historical Society, … [Read more...]
Des Moines Diocese names 9 priests accused of abusing children
The Des Moines Catholic Diocese released the names of nine priests with "substantiated allegations" that they had abused children while serving at parishes in the diocese. The list includes the names of two priests who had not previously been made public. Both have died. Bishop Richard Pates … [Read more...]
Sioux City Bishop discusses release of names of priests involved in sex abuse
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City, Walker Nickless, says most of the feedback he's getting from people after the release of the names of priests involved in sex abuse cases involving minors in the Dioscese has been positive. The names of 28 priests were released two weeks ago. "We … [Read more...]
United Methodists in Iowa fear discord after vote against same-sex weddings, gay clergy
Iowans who attend United Methodist churches are concerned about how Tuesday's vote may bring dissension and splits in the nation's second-largest Protestant Church. UMC leaders voted to strengthen rules against homosexual clergy and same-sex marriages. Reverend Jeff Flagg, pastor of Asbury United … [Read more...]
Sioux City Diocese releases list of 28 priests ‘credibly accused’ of abuse
The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City has released the names of 28 priests he says were credibly accused of the sexual abuse of minors while serving in the diocese. Bishop R. Walker Nickless held a news conference in Sioux City earlier this afternoon. "To all victims of such abuse as … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate holds hearing for religious freedom bill
A bill Republican sponsors are calling a "religious freedom restoration" bill has cleared its first procedural hurdle in the Iowa Senate. Joan Thompson of the Iowa Catholic Conference says it'll prevent the government from forcing Iowans to do things that violate their religious beliefs. "This … [Read more...]