Christianity

LeRoy Valentine: Decades After First Alleged Child Sex Abuse, St. Louis Priest Removed

Another day, another dispute with the St. Louis Archdiocese regarding allegations of child sex abuse. The case of Father LeRoy Valentine, however, involves a long and complicated history of accusations that span several decades and allegations of repeated inaction by those in charge. And victims' ad ... More >>

Ask a Mexican: Are Mexicans not as Catholic as they're cracked up to be?

Dan Deacon

9 p.m. Sunday, September 2. The Firebird, 2706 Olive Street.

A toothless satire of the Catholic Church in We Have a Pope

SNAP Releases Transcript of Church Lawyers Grilling Director David Clohessy

​On January 2, David Clohessy -- director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) -- sat down with lawyers representing Catholic priests. It was not to chat over tea.The attorneys deposed Clohessy for over six hours as part of a lawsuit that a anonymous victim has brought agains ... More >>

Review Preview: The Crow's Nest

This week, I visit the Crow's Nest (7336 Manchester Road, Maplewood; 314-781-0989), the successor to the late, lamented Bleeding Deacon Public House. Does the new spot surpass the original? A sneak peek at my review after the jump.

Is SNAP's David Clohessy Really a Hypocrite?

SNAP's David Clohessy​Recently in both Kansas City and St. Louis, lawyers defending the Catholic Church against clerical sex abuse allegations have have tried to subpoena years worth of emails and records from their long-time adversary, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). SNAP dir ... More >>

In support of Mormons and pot, not so much for occupiers

Ask A Mexican: Why are there Mennonites in Mexico?

Bethel Providence Church Unites Black and White Congregations

Courtesy of Bethel Providence Christian Church​Bethel Providence Christian Church is a traditional brick building crowned by a steeple and fronted by a large cross. The interior of the chapel is equally traditional: Two tight rows of glossy wooden pews lead to a functional pulpit and altar, su ... More >>

Man Molested by St. Mary Magdalen Priest in 1971 Gets Hearing Today

Illustration by Vlad AlvarezPaul Alvino was abused by a priest in 1971 off church property - who's responsible?​If a local Catholic priest with a known history of sexually abusing children molests a young boy, but does it off of church property, is the Archdiocese of St. Louis legally responsible? ... More >>

Raymond Burke's Greatest Fits: Recalling the Lowlights of the Vatican's Newest Cardinal

Jay BevenourRev. Raymond Burke​Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI promoted former St. Louis archbishop Raymond Burke to the rank of cardinal -- the fourth-highest status in the Catholic church. In honor of Burke's ascension up the hierarchy, here are a few of the cardinal's actions over the years that we ... More >>

St. Louis Art Capsules

Jessica Baran encapsulates the St. Louis art scene

Praise the Lord! Concordia Publishing's Hymnal Outsells Freedom

image viaNever underestimate the selling power of a Good Book.​Perhaps Daily RFT's new favorite Tweeter, the world-domination-seeking Emperor Franzen, should take a page from Benton Park's Concordia Publishing House. Since it launched its Hymnal in Every Home campaign four years ago, Concordia ... More >>

¡Ask a Mexican! Special housecleaning edition

Press Release of the Day, the Mistaken Identity Edition

I can't believe this mistake hasn't happened before. From the publicist for heavy metal band Lamb of God: LAMB OF GOD would like to officially denounce any buzz of a show that they have been rumored to be playing in the near future. The band will not be performing in Tempe, AZ at said show. The ev ... More >>

All Hail the Duke

Ask a Mexican: The Mexican explains why Mormonism is hot and Jalisco is not

Whatever happened at Father Cooper's cabin in 1971, the archdiocese isn't responsible

Archbishop of New York Faces Scrutiny for Handling of Sex Abuse Case in St. Louis

Archbishop Dolan​Timothy Dolan was a bishop in St. Louis in the early 2000s before being named archbishop of Milwaukee and from there moving on to serve as the current archbishop of New York. A year into his tenure in the Big Apple the archbishop has been generaly well-received, though questions p ... More >>

The Rest of the Story on the Incestuous Hillbillies and the Mormon Church

Burrell Mohler Sr. via the KC Star​Yesterday on Daily RFT we had a couple bones to pick with a misleading headline in the local daily and the bible-thumping defenders of Burrell E. Mohler Sr. Along with his brother and four sons, the 74-year-old Independence, Missouri, native is accused of repeate ... More >>

Hallowed Be Thy Name: A member of the Schlafly clan figures to do the Lord's work by cleansing the Bible of its "liberal bias"

You Don't Bring Me Flowers

Dave Barnes

9 p.m. Thursday, March 5. Blueberry Hill's Duck Room, 6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City.

Demons Among Us: The RFT paid a visit to America's foremost demonologist in Chesterfield and came home with our head spinning

Rick Majerus: Have You No Decency?

Lent on Cherokee Street

Understanding Mitt Romney (A Super Tuesday Meditation)

Devlin's (Not) in the Details

Joe sounds off about Michael Devlin's plea bargain.

The Death of Father Kaiser

Was it a Kenyan assassin who killed the St. Louis missionary -- or was it madness? Seven years later, the verdict is in.

Amen Bitch

Harry Potter and the Holy Bible

Breaking Bread with Father Dominic: Episode 106 (1999)

This bun-baking priest is hella endearing

Any Questions?

Brace yourself for a catechismic event

Deadly Backyard

Week of January 22, 2003

Parochial Concerns

St. Louis' network of Catholic elementary schools is becoming smaller, more expensive and more worried about survival

Eyes Wide Shut

Week of November 27, 2002

Best Long-Running Production

Late Nite Catechism, Grandel Theatre

Mission Impossible

A walk in the moccasins of Cleveland Hammonds Jr.

A Cross to Bear

Joyce gets nailed for tall talk and tiny action

Agony of Sorrows

In the heart of South St. Louis, a parish loses its priest because of stricter standards on sexual sin

Playing With Fire

Chris Hummel was the life of the party until he joined Life Christian Center. There, the Holy Spirit set his soul aflame -- and his joy burned so bright it blinded him.

Of Condoms, Catholics and Blood

Disturbed by the Red Cross' promotion of condom use, local Catholics are finding other organizations to handle blood drives. But is their stand having the intended result?

Throwing in the Towel

Under mounting pressure, a local nonprofit agency finally agrees to give up its contract to provide Head Start services to 2,500 preschoolers

Letters to the Editor

Published the week of March 15

In the Hands of the Father

David Richardson entrusted the management of his rental properties to a priest. Many of his properties have since been foreclosed on, and his credit is shot to hell.

CORPUS CHRISTI

By Terrence McNally (The Stage Company)

SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

Christian rock combines the Lord's message with the devil's beat. Sometimes the result is exhilaration. Sometimes it's god-awful confusion.

Dissent Into Hell

Sins of Omission

St. Louis is welcoming Pope John Paul II, but many devout Catholics don't feel so welcomed by him. They say he's blocking the light for women, intellectuals, non-Westerners, gays, lesbians and remarried Catholics -- and dimming the prospects for an inclus