Alejandra Molina

Alejandra Molina is a National Reporter covering Latinos and religion in the West Coast. She is based in Los Angeles. Previously, she was a reporter for the Southern California News Group where she covered cities, immigration, race and religion for newspapers like The Orange County Register, The Press-Enterprise in Riverside and The Los Angeles Daily News.

All Stories by Alejandra Molina

House of Intuition founders want you to tap into your ‘inner magic’

By Alejandra Molina — January 14, 2022

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — In 'Your Intuition Led You Here,' Alex Naranjo and Marlene Vargas advise readers on how to find their own inner magic.

Rev. Al Sharpton calls for justice in police killing of Valentina Orellana Peralta

By Alejandra Molina — January 10, 2022

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Sharpton eulogized 14-year-old Valentina Orellana Peralta at her open-casket funeral.

Maranatha Chapel to honor pastor Ray Bentley, who died from COVID-19 complications

By Alejandra Molina — January 7, 2022

(RNS) — ‘We are all in shock and heartbroken. We find comfort in knowing that he is rejoicing in heaven with his beloved Jesus,’ the San Diego church said in a statement.

Since Jan. 6 attacks, spiritual leaders unify to combat Christian nationalism

By Alejandra Molina — January 7, 2022

(RNS) — The Jan. 6 insurrection of the U.S. Capitol drew recent attention to the phenomenon of Christian nationalism, but religious and spiritual leaders acknowledge its existence long before that.

Frank Barker, founding pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, is dead at 89

By Alejandra Molina — December 28, 2021

(RNS) — Barker, who was senior pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham for 39 years, was a key figure in the launching of the conservative Presbyterian Church in America.

California’s abortion sanctuary plans decried by Christian groups

By Alejandra Molina — December 23, 2021

(RNS) — For Kathleen Domingo, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, this is a moment for Christians to unite in support of local pregnancy resource centers and life-affirming clinics.

LA Archdiocese sues LAUSD, alleging it kept federal funds from Catholic schools

By Alejandra Molina — December 20, 2021

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A complaint filed Thursday (Dec. 16) claims that the district 'has openly and consistently acted to prevent federally funded services from reaching eligible, lower income (archdiocesan) students.'

Faith-based pic ‘American Underdog’ tells story of Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner

By Alejandra Molina — December 17, 2021

(RNS) — 'American Underdog,' a biopic of Warner's life directed by the Erwin brothers, opens in theaters on Christmas Day.

There are no African American saints. A lay Catholic group seeks to change that.

By Alejandra Molina — December 15, 2021

(RNS) — ‘It is embarrassing to many of us that in the church where we worship, there are no United States African American saints recognized by the highest church authorities.’

Residents fear sale of Monastery of the Angels, beloved Hollywood home to cloistered nuns

By Alejandra Molina — December 10, 2021

HOLLYWOOD (RNS) — Los Angeles residents say the monastery is 'loved by people of all faiths' and represents 'kindness in an ocean of distraction, indifference and preoccupation.'

Court lifts block, allowing San Diego schools’ vaccine mandate to go forward

By Alejandra Molina — December 6, 2021

(RNS) — 'The 9th Circuit agreed San Diego Unified is acting in the best interest of students, as opposed to discriminating on the basis of religion, as the plaintiffs had claimed,' the district said in a statement.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone reveals he is not vaccinated against COVID-19

By Alejandra Molina — December 3, 2021

(RNS) — In a Dec. 1 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle’s 'It's All Political' podcast, Cordileone said he learned from his primary health physician that he has 'a good immune system.'

After last year’s COVID closures, pilgrimages resume to honor Virgin of Guadalupe

By Alejandra Molina — December 3, 2021

(RNS) — This year, with more people vaccinated against COVID-19, Catholics across the country are once again gathering for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who has been a source of hope for many Latinos throughout the pandemic.

Court temporarily blocks San Diego schools’ vaccine mandate after suit filed by 16-year-old

By Alejandra Molina — November 29, 2021

(RNS) — The Ninth District Court of Appeals on Sunday (Nov. 28) temporarily blocked San Diego Unified School District’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate from taking effect, one day before students were required to have their first dose.

In a podcast, two Jesuit priests document their ministry along the southern border