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
US Hispanic Protestant churches are young, growing and largely new to the country
By Alejandra Molina — January 30, 2023
(RNS) — 'We see more and more English-speaking churches either planting a Hispanic church or adding a service in Spanish to their current congregation,' said Giancarlo Montemayor with Lifeway Recursos.
A Buddhist disaster relief organization offers key support after Monterey Park shooting
By Alejandra Molina — January 27, 2023
ALHAMBRA, Calif. (RNS) — The Buddhist humanitarian organization, Tzu Chi USA, is helping with language translation and funeral service arrangements in the wake of the Monterey Park shooting that left 11 people dead.
Multifaith leaders urge unity in aftermath of Monterey Park shooting that left 11 dead
By Alejandra Molina — January 24, 2023
MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (RNS) — To Chuching Wang, who helped organize the vigil, it was deeply moving to see people of different ethnicities and religions unite in the aftermath of the shooting that struck the Chinese American community.
New book spotlights influence of Pentecostalism on California’s Mexican farmworkers
By Alejandra Molina — January 20, 2023
(RNS) — 'Sowing the Sacred: Mexican Pentecostal Farmworkers in California' recounts how 'divine healing' was seen as a pragmatic way to care for impoverished workers who lacked regular access to medical care.
Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians unite in support for Apache fight to save Oak Flat
By Alejandra Molina — January 18, 2023
(RNS) — Congress approved the transfer of the land to Resolution Copper in 2014 in exchange for 6,000 acres elsewhere, but the Western Apache claim that the site has unique spiritual meaning.
In LA, activists ‘summon spiritual energy’ to seek justice for Keenan Anderson
By Alejandra Molina — January 15, 2023
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A vigil on Saturday for Keenan Anderson was not a protest but a 'spiritual gathering,' said Melina Abdullah, co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter.
Jack Hayford, prominent Pentecostal pastor in Southern California, has died
By Alejandra Molina — January 9, 2023
(RNS) — Hayford authored more than 50 books and composed hundreds of songs, including the widely known 'Majesty.'
Jewish teachings greet Los Angeles drivers in billboard campaign
By Alejandra Molina — January 6, 2023
(RNS) — The billboards come at a time when cases of antisemitism are on the rise around the country.
Faith leaders hold prayer vigils to mark second anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrection
By Alejandra Molina — January 5, 2023
(RNS) — Christian leaders are serving witness against the ‘unholy’ and ‘political’ ideology of Christian nationalism that they say ‘helped inspire the deadly attack on the Capitol.’
In court ruling, Sikh recruits can attend USMC training while keeping beards and turbans
By Alejandra Molina — December 23, 2022
(RNS) — 'No one should have to choose between serving God and country,' said Eric Baxter, an attorney with a religious liberty legal group that is representing the Sikh recruits.
Faith-based groups on border unswayed after lawmakers’ call to investigate them
By Alejandra Molina — December 22, 2022
(RNS) — ‘The gospel compels us to do so. If that’s unpopular with certain members of Congress, so be it,’ said Anthony Granado with Catholic Charities USA.
Black atheist leaders quit Black Nonbelievers over alleged misconduct by president
By Bob Smietana and Alejandra Molina — December 20, 2022
(RNS) — Mandisa Thomas said she mishandled a ‘personal situation’ during a recent cruise held by the prominent Black secular group.
Religious liberty concerns raised as Texas governor seeks to investigate groups helping migrants
By Alejandra Molina — December 15, 2022
(RNS) — ‘The reality is that the majority of the work that is done on the border, the humanitarian work, the reception of refugees and migrants, is done by faith-based organizations,’ said Dylan Corbett, executive director of Hope Border Institute.
Not only Catholic churches celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Alejandra Molina — December 12, 2022
(RNS) — The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Dec. 12, marks the appearance of Mary to St. Juan Diego, an Indigenous man, on a hill of Tepeyac in Mexico in 1531. The brown-skinned Virgin, patron saint of Mexico, is honored during this time with Masses and other celebrations outside the church.
SPU board members seek dismissal of lawsuit over LGBTQ exclusion
By Alejandra Molina — December 9, 2022
(RNS) — The lawsuit, board members say, is an effort to 'intimidate and punish leaders of a religious institution for the exercise of protected First Amendment rights.'
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