July 22, 2013 - MPR’s Sasha Aslanian looks at discussions happening in different religious communities in the state after same-sex marriage became law. Religious institutions played a big role in the long, emotional and sometimes contentious debate Minnesotans had leading up to the Legislature's vote to legalize same-sex marriage. While churches are not required to perform same-sex weddings, Minnesota law against discrimination based on sexual orientation does apply to others who might play a role in wedding celebrations.
September 12, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Post reports on a longtime teacher at a Catholic school in Fridley who says she was fired after she told other teachers she's in a same-sex relationship. It's the second high profile departure from Totino-Grace High School in recent months. The school's president resigned this summer after announcing he was in a same-sex relationship.
September 23, 2013 - Curtis Wehmeyer, a St. Paul priest, is serving a five year prison sentence for sexually abusing two children and possessing child pornography. When he was sentenced, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis expressed regret, but assured the public that it had acted immediately. An MPR News investigation has found that top leaders knew of the priest's sexual behavior for nearly a decade before he pleaded guilty and didn't tell parishioners.
January 23, 2014 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on internal financial reports that show the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for years diverted millions of dollars away from its traditional work to deal with clergy misconduct.
July 14, 2014 - MPR Special Report presents an MPR News Investigation “Betrayed by Silence: A radio documentary,” which looks at clergy abuse, cover-up, and crisis in the Twin Cities Catholic Church as three archbishops hid the truth.
February 11, 2015 - MPR’s Elizabeth Baier reports on Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, which offers prayers to go in the church parking lot. The church, and others like it, are looking at ways that allow ministers to reach people where it is convenient for them.
March 2, 2015 - In marking the 40th anniversary of Hmong arrival to the U.S., All Things Considered’s Tom Crann presents an audio portrait of Ly Xiong Pao. In profile, Pao shares memories of war and being a shaman.
September 24, 2015 - MPR’s Laura Yuen profiles Oakdale teen Amaiya Zafar, a female boxer whose is fighting in and out of the boxing ring. Zafar is trying to compete in ring fully covered, according to her Islamic principles. That is something boxing authorities are against, siting safety concerns.
November 6, 2015 - MPR’s Dan Kraker profiles Sister Lisa Maurer, nun and kicking coach for the College of St. Scholastica football team. Maurer sees it as part of her calling.
May 4, 2016 - A dozen years before the beginning of the Second World War, the Nazis began what would become the unparalleled slaughter of Europe’s “undesirables,” most of whom were Jews. Millions would die, but there were survivors as well, each with a unique story. Classical MPR’s Mindy Ratner has gathered a collection of conversations with some of those touched directly by the Holocaust and those conversations form the basis of Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.