The mission of InternationalReligionJournalists.org is to link journalists worldwide with useful resources to help them cover religion with accuracy, balance, and insight.

The site contains a searchable database by location and type of resource. It also includes information about international news, data, conferences, training opportunities, fellowships and more.

Flags photo by Joelk75 (CC BY).

After serving as editor of the religion page at the Dallas Morning News, Diane became the founding editor of RNA’s ReligionLink in 2001. She also wrote Reporting on Religion: A Primer on Journalism’s Best Beat, hosted at this website, and the first edition of the Religion Stylebook.

RNA Executive Director Debra L. Mason has published a tribute to Diane at RNA.org. There you can find information about contributing to the Diane Connolly Scholarship Fund at the Religion Newswriters Foundation.

More than 200 people have already taken advantage of the scholarship program. Topics reporters have studied include: Islamic Movements, God & Politics, Christianity and Culture, Religious Tradition and Scientific Inquiry, Buddhism and Science, Violence and Liberation, Religion and Medicine and many more.

The next application deadline is April 1, 2012. Learn more about the scholarship and how to apply at RNA.org.

Photo by sobriquet.net (CC BY-NC-SA)

The Stylebook includes entries on:

• The major religions, denominations and religious organizations journalists often encounter.
• Preferred spellings, capitalizations, some definitions and usage guidelines for religious terms.
• Accurate titles for religious leaders in different traditions.
• Selected pronunciation guides.
• Entries on terms used in stories on current topics in the news, such as abortion and homosexuality.
• Entries on religion terms that are not included in The Associated Press Stylebook.

This stylebook is a service of Religion Newswriters Association, compiled by members of the stylebook advisory board and funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

For more information about the Religion Stylebook, follow the link to the book’s online version.

The cost is only $50 a year for journalists and educators and $25 for students. Active members will receive the following benefits:

• Online membership directory
• Exclusive journalist networks, including group blogs and messaging & social networking via Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In pages
• Access to our career center, including the ability to post resumés and search for jobs
• Complimentary subscription to RELIGION | LINK
• Deep discounts to RNA’s annual conference
• Regional training opportunities, many at no or little cost to active members
• Subscription to the RNA e-Extra newsletter
• Informal mentoring program
• Voting privileges at RNA member meetings
• All RNA publications & mailings
• Discounts on advertising with RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS (40%)

If you are interested in more information, want to see more benefits that RNA offers or want to join RNA, head over to the association’s website.

As a non-partisan service of Religion Newswriters and Religion News LLC, ReligionLink provides journalists with background information and sources covering current religious topics. Each post is categorized by a religion related topic so journalists can search all stories across a single topic.

If you are a journalist looking for a little inspiration to spur on your next religion story idea, check out Religion Link.

The 2011 survey of Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) members marks the 30th year the professional organization of religion beat specialists has conducted the poll.

Faith-based groups reacted to the terrorist leader’s death with renewed sympathy for victims’ families, scriptural citations justifying the demise of evil and hopeful prayers for peace among nations.

Earlier in the year, New York U.S. Rep. Peter King, (R-N.Y), chaired a series of controversial hearings in the House alleging radicalization among U.S. Muslims. Meanwhile, U.S. Senate hearings centered on crimes against Muslims. The hearings were voted the No. 2 religion story of 2011.

Read the complete Top 10 Religion Stories of 2011 at RNA.org

Covering Religion in the Shadow of 9/11
Friday, Nov. 4, 2011
1–4 p.m.
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
2950 Broadway, New York, NY
Room TBA

Four veteran religion writers–Samuel Freedman, Laurie Goodstein, Ari Goldman and George Vecsey–and one relative newcomer, Jaweed Kaleem of The Huffington Post–talk about covering religion and how it has changed in the decade since 9/11. The audience will include visiting students from Colgate University and their professor, Chris Vecsey, author of “Following 9/11: Religion Coverage in The New York Times.” The event is co-sponsored by the Religion Newswriters Association and is open to RNA members and prospective members. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP by Oct. 31 to Nicole Neroulias.

What is Catholicism? What makes it distinctive among all the other philosophies, ideologies, and religions of the world? Father Robert Barron, popular lecturer, writer, and theologian, answers these questions and more in his beautifully illustrated book, Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of Faith (Image Books, Sept. 6, 2011). Using art, literature, traditional theology, and his own personal narrative, Fr. Barron takes readers into the depths and beauty of the Catholic faith in a way no other book has ever done.

The release of the book corresponds with a 10-part documentary series of the same name. Four parts of the series air this fall on more than 80 PBS stations nationwide. For the most current TV listing, visit www.catholicismseries.com/watch/tv-schedule.

Because of his distinct insights and his approachable style of communicating, Fr. Barron makes this material accessible for a general audience seeking to learn the rich history of the Catholic faith. He explores many topics including: Who is Jesus? Who are Mary and the Apostles? What is the role of saints in the Church? What is the Holy Spirit, and what purpose does it serve? Rich and engaging, with attractive photos throughout, Barron has produced an unparallel resource.

“This is the most important media project in the history of the Catholic Church in America. A stimulating and compelling exploration of the spiritual, moral, and intellectual riches of the Catholic world.”

– George Weigel, Papal Biographer of Blessed John Paul II and New York Times Best-Selling Author

“Clarity, intelligence, passion and elegance — these are the marks of a writer in top form, and Father Barron brings all these gifts to bear in this extraordinary reflection on the Catholic faith. If you read one book this year on what Catholics believe and why, this is the book to read – and to share with others.”

– Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Father Robert Barron is a sought-after speaker on the spiritual life–from prestigious universities to YouTube to national conferences and private retreats. The prominent theologian and podcasting priest is one of the world’s greatest and most innovative teachers of Catholicism. His global media ministry called Word On Fire has a simple but revolutionary mission– to evangelize the culture. Father Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Chair of Faith and Culture at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He is the author of a number of theological works including The Priority of Christ and Word on Fire. This is his first trade book. Visit his web site at www.WordonFire.org. For more information on the Catholicism project and series, visit www.catholicismseries.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

Cindy Brovsky, Publicist
cbrovsky@randomhouse.com, 719-268-1936

On Sale 9/6/2011 • Religion, History, Catholicism
ISBN: 978-0-307-72051-1 • eBook: 978-0-307-72053-5, $14.99
Hardcover • $27.99 U.S./$32.99 Canada

To read an excerpt of Catholicism, click here.

To watch a video of Father Barron about the book, click here.

To watch an on-demand Livestream Q&A video of Father Barron, click here.

David Roemer essays about science and religion have been published by the Church of England Newspaper, OrthodoxyToday.org, and Spero News. There is a link to the article on the author’s website. The Tradebit ID number for the article is 138493994.