News
Azerbaijan named among religious freedom violators by religious liberty watchdog
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — The commissioners recommended the State Department also retain the dozen countries that are currently designated as ‘countries of particular concern.’
How a beloved worship song became the theme song of Christian nationalism
By Bob Smietana — May 1, 2024
United Methodists strike down ban on ordination of gay clergy
By Yonat Shimron — May 1, 2024
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‘A step back in time’: America’s Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways
By Tim Sullivan — May 1, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Generations of Catholics who embraced the modernizing tide sparked in the 1960s by Vatican II are increasingly giving way to religious conservatives who believe the church has been twisted by change,
75 Christian leaders urge president, Congress, churches to act on racism, poverty
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Issues related to racism are now being fiercely debated across the country, and many people of color are fearful that racism is getting worse,’ reads their statement.
South Asian groups work to break cultural, religious stigmas around domestic violence
By Richa Karmarkar — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — In Sexual Assault Awareness Month, advocates hope to reshape the conversation around intimate partner violence within the diaspora.
Arizona pro-Palestinian protesters sue, argue authorities violated their religious freedom
By Jack Jenkins — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We were doing nothing but standing on that piece of property, singing, chanting, praying in the road when we were dragged off,’ said the Rev. Seth Wispelwey.
Abducted retired Catholic bishop who mediated between cartels in Mexico is located, hospitalized
By Mark Stevenson — April 30, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The church leadership in Mexico said in a statement earlier that Msgr. Salvador Rangel, a bishop emeritus, disappeared on Saturday and called on his captors to release him.
A gunman kills 6 worshippers inside a Shiite mosque in western Afghanistan, the Taliban say
By Associated Press — April 30, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Local media reports and a former president of Afghanistan said the mosque was targeted because it was a place of worship for the country’s Shiite Muslim minority.
United Methodist conference begins to drop contentious rules restricting LGBTQ clergy
By Yonat Shimron — April 30, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — Among the rules overturned were a ban on bishops ordaining LGBTQ candidates for ministry, a ban on funding for LGBTQ affinity groups as well as a series of mandatory penalties for clergy who officiate same-sex weddings.
Why faith-based groups are prone to sexual abuse and how they can get ahead of it
By Kathryn Post — April 29, 2024
(RNS) — As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, there are a few steps experts say every faith group can take to improve safeguarding protocols.
How unconditional support for Israel became a cornerstone of Jewish American identity
By Yonat Shimron — April 29, 2024
(RNS) — A new book shows how those who dissented were effectively sidelined.
The Catholic Church wants to have a say on the future of AI
By Claire Giangravé — April 29, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A handful of Catholic priests are meeting with AI programmers and execs in Silicon Valley to address the ethical consequences of artificial intelligence.
Obstacles remain as women seek more leadership roles in America’s Black Church
By Darren Sands — April 29, 2024
(AP) – In the Black Church as a whole, male pastors predominate, though there’s no comprehensive gender breakdown.
Teens plotted to buy guns and attack Jewish people after Sydney bishop was stabbed, police allege
By Rod Mcguirk — April 29, 2024
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Five teens, aged 14 to 17, were charged in a Sydney court on Thursday last week with a range of offenses including conspiring to engage in or planning a terrorist act.
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