TV show to focus on exorcism rite
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the Discovery Channel is planning a TV show focusing on exorcism.
No start date has been set as yet, according to the magazine.
I predit that folks interested in this touchy topic will be waiting in anticipation of how the cable channel will approach the subject.
One tidbit that EW writer James Hibbard included in his Inside TV column did catch my eye. Hibbard writes that people involved with the new show, to be called “The Exorcist Files,” have had access to the Vatican’s case files on exorcism.
The column made me think back to last fall when I was researching information for my Oct. 15 story about exorcism. The topic came up when a Satanist church rented a public room at the Civic Center Music Hall where they performed what they called a “satanic exorcism.”
I do believe I’m going to watch this new show since my curiousity has now been piqued.
Read EW’s Inside TV column for more information: “Exclusive: Discovery, Catholic Church team for exorcism series.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
New “Saint of the Day” app
St. Anthony Messenger Press just released its new Catholic iPhone app, “Saint of the Day.” 
Each daily entry includes a brief saint biography, commentary on the saint’s relevance to present-day life, and a reflective quote from Scripture, the saint, or another spiritual writer. The unique audio option allows consumers to listen to the entries if they choose, or read from the user-friendly screens. Special features include an extensive database — searchable by saint or cause — an interactive calendar, and a list of patron saints.
The app, which uses material from the best-selling book, “Saint of the Day,” has been the company’s most popular Web feature since 1997.
For more information, visit: “Saint of the Day”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
St. Francis Day in a Box
Many churches are preparing for their annual St. Francis of Assisi observances. 
These typically include the Blessing of the Animals, a fun and furry event the entails bringing pets of all shapes and sizes up to the altar of the church to receive a blessing.
I know that I’ll be getting information about these events in the coming weeks because St. Francis of Assisi Day is Oct. 4. Some churches tend to host their observances around that date if not on the date itself.
Some of the items include:
“The Green Bible Devotional”
100 2010 All Creatures Great and Small postcards
“Eating Mercifully” documentary
Mission Humane Action Guides, one each for youth and teen level service learning projects
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Pope Joan” movie making waves
A movie about a female pope is causing a stir among some in the faith community.
I wonder if it is causing contention because it brings up questions about things people would rather not talk about, ala “The Da Vinci Code.”
The German film is based on a book that was written about a mysterious legend that holds that a woman disguised herself as a man and rose to the rank of pope of the Roman Catholic Church for as long as two years.
It sounds intriguing and far-fetched — and those stories apparently make for the most-talked about movies.
Read more here: “Pope Joan”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Art work sparks debate, comments
Judging from the amount of comments generated by today’s story on the crucifix at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, the icon will continue to spark debate.
Some people apparently see it as a blatent attempt at the sexualization of Jesus, while others simply see it as artwork resembling the original crucifix it was reportedly made to look like.
My colleague John Estus wrote the story about the controversy swirling around the crucifix in question.
I looked at a picture of it and saw what was troubling opponents of the artwork. I then did an Internet search about the San Damiano crucifix that it is styled after. All of the San Damiano images on the Internet also show Christ with what looks like a distended abdomen and that may be because that was the way abdomens were painted back then. The crucifix at St. Charles Borromeo does look to be different from those images in that the abdomen area is much more pronounced.
It all makes for an perplexing situation for the Oklahoma City church and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
Do they take the crucifix down and try to end the controversy that way? Do they have the artist, Janet Jaime, make modifications to her work to appease people who are displeased with it? Do they leave the artwork alone and leave it where it is?
Those are questions that come to mind.
If you are curious about the San Diamiano crucifix, here are links to related Web sites:
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Stations of the Cross meets iPhone
The Stations of the Cross devotions are well known among Roman Catholics as well as people who ascribe to other faith traditions.
Now the ancient stations have been combined with the technology of today. 
Ava Maria Press is debuting its new Stations of the Cross application for iPhone and iPod touch today through Sunday at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.
The prayer companion is free for download and is based on the book “John Paul II’s Biblical Way of the Cross” by Amy Welborn and Michael Dubruiel.
“With gorgeous station paintings by artist Michael O’Brien, this app transports users anytime, anywhere to a prayerful journey of solidarity with Christ from the Garden of Gethsemane, to his betrayal and arrest, and on his agonizing way to the cross,” representatives of Ava Maria Press said in a news release.
“The Stations of the Cross iPhone app has been created with busy people in mind and is the perfect pocket devotional, especially during this Lenten season.”
Tom Grady, Ava Maria Press publisher said the company is exploring creative digital ways of keeping their readers connected to God through prayer.
The ancient Stations of the Cross devotion commemorates the Passion and the death of Christ.
The new app is available in the iTunes App Store.
(Photo by Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman: This Stations of the Cross sculpture is featured on a wall at St. Joseph Old Cathedral in downtown Oklahoma City.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Catholic bishops launch Web site on health care reform
Health care reform is on everybody’s lips these days.
Some faith groups have joined the fray.
They have their own opinions and they want to share them.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched a new Web site to promote its support of “truly universal health policy with respect for human life and dignity.”
You can find it here: www.usccb.org/healthcare.
The page includes letters from bishops to Congress, videos, facts and statistics, frequently asked questions, and links for contacting members of Congress.
A news release about the new site said people can access Web videos of conference policy staff discussing the bishops’ position on health care.
Expect to see facts and statistics about Catholic health care in America, as well.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Adopt a Catholic Congressman
A new prayer campaign targeting Catholic Congressial leaders was recently launched by OneNationUnderGod.org.
The faith-based organization said 50 percent of Catholic politicians serving in Congress have accepted large donations from ”pro-abortion” lobby groups “while reinforcing their support for abortion rights legislation.”
OneNationUnderGod.org is inviting people to join its prayer campaign for conversion of Catholic politicians “who hold great influence over the lives of the innocent.”
People involved in the campaign are asked to adopt a Catholic member of Congress and pledge a daily spiritual devotion for their enlightenment and for the continued inspiration of their bishop.
The campaign was launched June 22, the feast day of St. Thomas More, whom Pople John Paul II procliamed the patron saint of statesmen and politicians.
For more information about the campaign, go online to www.OneNationUnderGod.org.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Tweeting nuns on the road
TULSA — The “Flying Nun” of TV yesteryear was make-believe.
Here come the real-life tweeting nuns of today.
Calling it “Chris and Barb’s excellent adventure,” two Benedictine sisters with St. Joseph’s Monastery in Tulsa joined Twitter this week to tweet about their experiences on a recent road trip.
Sister Christine Ereiser, the monastery’s prioress, said she and Sister Barbara Austin, left Tulsa earlier this week headed for Chicago, Ill., where the pair plan to attend an annual meeting of Benedictine women from throughout the U.S. and Mexico.
Ereiser said they chose to travel on old Route 66 and wanted to stay in touch with Ereiser’s 87-year-old mother who lives in Tulsa.
Ereiser said she decided to try Twitter as a way to keep Mom informed and also several friends and the St. Joseph’s community.
Speaking by phone Thursday night after arriving just outside Chicago, Ereiser said she enjoyed sending tweets as part of the Twitter social network. The trip through the old towns on the old highway was “meditative,” she said.
“It’s rejuvenating to travel at a slower pace.”
Ereiser, who sends tweets as ChristineOSB, said she had to think a little about what details would be off interest to family and friends following her tweets.
She’s had some return tweets.
“Some people weren’t aware of some attractions that I’ve mentioned. Some people were giving advice to us to get off (the highway) in different places”
Will she continue tweeting now that she’s found Twitter?
Possibly, but probably not on a daily basis, Ereiser said.
“I think it’s important to have something to say.”
(ABOVE PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN: Sister Christine Ereiser, prioress of St. Joseph Monastery in Tulsa, poses for this 2007 photo at the monastery.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
New Web site discusses “Angels & Demons”
Westminster Theological Seminary has launched a new Web site seeking to provide answers to the religious questions in the new movie “Angels & Demons.”
The new site is www.TruthAboutAngelsAndDemons.com.
“Just as academic institutions and other groups are using the momentum of ‘Angels & Demons’ and the scientific issues it highlights to provoke discussion, Westminster Theological Seminary stands strong and is committed to educating individuals about spiritual and historical truths, in addition to science, as it relates to the book and film,” Vern Poythress, professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster and an expert on the intersection of science and religion, said in a news release.
Many universities around the nation and overseas are launching discussions to address the truth behind the scientific claims central to the suspense in the book and film.
Westminster launched the new Web site on May 13, hoping to help people ”sift through the mix of fact and fiction woven into the novel and film and encourage conversation,” leaders said.
The site contains articles on issues related to religion and science and seeks to provide answers to such questions as: “Is the Bible true?” “Can science answer the ultimate questions?” and “Is there evidence that God created the Earth?”
“Angels & Demons” premiered May 15 and is based on a novel by Dan Brown.
In 2006, Westminster launched a similar online response to l”The Da Vinci Code,” another novel-turned-movie by Brown.
“Westminster commends the scientific community for its strong response and conversation surrounding the film and joins in the pursuit of truth,” Peter Lillback, president of Westminster, said in a statement.
”We hope our site is a catalyst for people of faith to be better equipped to engage in spiritual conversation generated by this significant media and cultural event.”
Westminster Theological Seminary has campuses in Philadelphia, Dallas, New York and London.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
