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.
For many who lost loved ones to COVID-19, this Day of the Dead will be a time of healing
(RNS) — As COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted U.S. Latinos, many will be celebrating the virus’ victims on Day of the Dead altars.
Taco trucks and voter guides boost political profiles of faith communities at the margins
(RNS) — Civic engagement, said one activist, humanizes minority faith groups in the eyes of the rest of the electorate.
Attorneys for John MacArthur denounce headlines reporting a church outbreak of COVID-19 cases
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Jenna Ellis, attorney for John MacArthur and Grace Community Church, in a statement said the cases shouldn’t be characterized as an ‘outbreak.’
Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib denounce Facebook as complicit in anti-Muslim violence
(RNS) — Their condemnation comes after a new report found that Facebook has played a role in anti-Muslim violence in Germany, Sweden, New Zealand and the United States.
With Junipero Serra banished, California’s Indigenous activists and artists ask what goes in his place
(RNS) — As government officials look into what to do with empty memorials, Indigenous leaders are hoping the state’s authorities will devote them to ‘spaces of healing and truth telling.’
Black skeptics find meaning in uplifting their community through social justice
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Black nonbelievers have for years been working to redefine what it means to be atheist, a word too often linked to white spaces mostly concerned with creationism and the separation of church and state.
Amy Coney Barrett nomination fight leaves progressive Catholics feeling unseen
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — This week’s Senate hearings may center Barrett’s conservative faith, which is strongly anti-abortion and opposed to same-sex marriage, as ‘true Catholicism.’
A dissenting Catholic community in California helps Latinos cope with COVID-19’s disparities
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — In Southern California, one support system has been the community of Mision Cristo Rey, a small corporation of Latino congregations in the greater Los Angeles area.
Interfaith demonstrations across California demand release of incarcerated people amid COVID-19
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Faith leaders and activists demonstrated outside prisons and immigration detention centers across California, calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to release incarcerated and detained people who they say are in danger amid COVID-19 outbreaks.
A surge of over 100 COVID-19 cases linked to evangelical Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry
(RNS) — Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency connected 123 cases to the school over the past two weeks, Tim Mapes, a Shasta County Health spokesperson, confirmed with Religion News Service on Wednesday (Oct. 7)
Study: Biden still leads among Latino Christian voters, but Trump’s support has grown
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The bilingual survey, which polled 1,292 Latino Christian voters between Sept. 8-22, is described as the largest Latino religion and politics survey this election season.
Jesuits urge California governor to protect jobs of hospitality workers during COVID-19
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A bill, known as AB 3216, benefits laid-off workers in hotels, private clubs, event centers or airports, or who provide services to office, retail or other commercial buildings. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign the bill.
John MacArthur, pastor who has defied COVID-19 orders, will face new hearing in November
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Thursday (Sept. 24) said it could not schedule a contempt hearing ‘because of court rules prohibiting people from being present in the courtroom to combat the spread of the virus.’
Biden pins his argument to Latino believers on Trump’s morals
(RNS) — Creyentes con Biden is a subgroup of the Believers for Biden initiative led by Josh Dickson, an evangelical Christian and former Republican who oversees faith engagement for the campaign.
In Oregon, churches and anti-fascists unite to provide mutual aid to fire evacuees and others in need
(RNS) — Mutual aid groups are partnering with churches to set up donation drives and tent distribution centers with hygiene kits, school supplies, clothing and food.