Law and Religion Blogosphere Is Shrinking

The blogging platform Typepad closed down on September 30. As reported by Lexblog, "Typepad was arguably once the most popular publishing platforms with legal bloggers." Some Typepad blogs migrated to other platforms. Others closed down, including many that were part of the Law Professors Blog Network.  One which closed down, at least for now, is Mirror of Justice blog which for over 20 years had been a rich source for discussion of Catholic Legal Theory. The blog, co-founded by Notre Dame Law Professor Rick Garnett, was affiliated with the Program on Church, State and Society at Notre Dame Law School. Thank you Mirror of Justice for your many contributions to intelligent online discussion of law and religion. You will be missed.  It is sad to see the legal blogsphere shrinking.

Annual Bibliography of Law & Religion Publications Released By AALS Section

The Law and Religion Section of the Association of American Law Schools has released its annual newsletter which includes a 22-page bibliography of articles and books on Law and Religion published last year, of blogs, and of forthcoming publications by various Section members.

New Blog Focuses On Religious Freedom and LGBT Rights

Michigan State Law Professor Frank Ravitch has launched a new blog, Freedom's Edge.  The blog will focus on the relationship between Religious Freedom, LGBT Rights, and Reproductive Freedom. Freedom's Edge is now listed in the Religion Clause sidebar.  Welcome to the blogosphere!

Mirror of Justice Blogger Robert Araujo Posts Sad Farewell

On Sunday, Loyola University Chicago Law Professor Robert John Araujo, S.J., posted a sad farewell on Mirror of Justice to which he has contributed for ten years.  Mirror of Justice is a wonderful blog dedicated to the development of Catholic legal theory, and Prof. Araujo's posts have been an important part of the blog's contribution to thinking about law and religion.  Prof. Araujo writes that he is now in palliative/hospice care while finishing his final scholarly project -- a book on the Declaration on Religious Liberty and its relevance to the law. We all salute Prof Araujo for his scholarly contributions on Papal diplomacy, religious liberty and Catholic social thought.  Even more so, we salute him for the courageous example he has set in facing impossibly difficult health care decisions.

Condolences On Death of Dan Markel, Legal Blog Innovator

All of us involved in the legal blogosphere send sincere condolences to the family of Dan Markel, founder of the groundbreaking PrawfsBlog. Prof. Markel, a Professor at Florida State University Law School, died Saturday from gunshot wounds, apparently the victim of a murder. (Tallahassee Democrat). TaxProf Blog has links to more information. Dan Markel's memory will without doubt remain as an inspiration to all who knew him.