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

Balbir Singh Sodhi, early victim of 9/11 hate, honored on 20th anniversary of his death

By Alejandra Molina — September 16, 2021

(RNS) — ‘Balbir Uncle’s story could have ended here,’ said activist Valarie Kaur, ‘but this was not the end of his story. His death was a beginning because of how he lived.’

Largest Catholic parish in US being built in ‘heart of California’s dairy industry’

By Alejandra Molina — September 14, 2021

VISALIA, Calif. (RNS) — ‘It’s the best-kept secret in the nation — little Visalia building the largest parish church in modern U.S. history,’ said the Rev. Alex Chavez.

An animated film to chronicle life of ‘Sikh Captain America’ in aftermath of 9/11

By Alejandra Molina — September 13, 2021

(RNS) — 'There is not a lot of representation of people who look like me in the American entertainment landscape. Because that story hasn’t been told, it leads to a persistent level of ignorance,' Vishavjit Singh said.

San Diego lawsuit claims California’s ethnic studies curriculum promotes Aztec gods

By Alejandra Molina — September 7, 2021

(RNS) — ‘The fact that the Aztec religion is not formally organized and is non-Western in its origin does not excuse the constitutional violations,’ said attorney Robert E. Weisenburger.

Comparing Texas’ abortion ban to Islamic law is inaccurate, perpetuates Islamophobia, experts say

By Alejandra Molina — September 3, 2021

(RNS) — While opinions vary over when a pregnancy can be terminated, there is no complete ban on a woman's right to end a pregnancy under Islamic law, experts say.

California recall candidate Larry Elder to visit megachurch offering COVID-19 vaccine exemptions

By Alejandra Molina — September 2, 2021

(RNS) — Pastor Greg Fairrington, during an Aug. 1 sermon, told congregants of his church to ‘do your job as Christians on Sept. 14 and vote yes on recalling an immoral governor.’

Jeannie Gaffigan hosts panel urging Catholics to get COVID-19 vaccines

By Renée Roden, Alejandra Molina — September 1, 2021

(RNS) — Gaffigan collaborated with Loyola Marymount University to host a panel on Tuesday (Aug. 31) directed specifically at Catholic audiences and featuring several Catholic medical experts.

California, LA County both to pay $400,000 settlement to John MacArthur’s church

By Alejandra Molina — August 31, 2021

(RNS) — This agreement, county officials said, was reached in the context of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in February that told California it couldn’t enforce a ban on indoor worship because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Antisemitic and anti-Muslim content is flourishing on TikTok, report finds

By Alejandra Molina — August 27, 2021

(RNS) — The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a London-based nonprofit that tracks extremism online, released a report Aug. 24 that found TikTok 'operates as a new arena for violence-endorsing, hateful ideologies.'

In Texas, ‘Reproductive Freedom Congregations’ catch on as new abortion law looms

By Alejandra Molina — August 25, 2021

(RNS) — In a gathering at First Unitarian Church of Dallas, faith leaders with Just Texas announced Wednesday (Aug. 25) that 25 churches had achieved the Reproductive Freedom Congregations designation since first launching the effort in 2016. Another 70 are in process.

Priests navigate Catholics’ fears and consciences in vaccine exemption pleas

By Alejandra Molina — August 19, 2021

(RNS) — It’s unclear how many Catholics are seeking vaccine religious exemptions, but more and more of their bishops are urging their priests to decline such requests.

Homeboy Industries takes ‘quantum leap’ in wake of funding bonanza

By Alejandra Molina — August 16, 2021

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The nonprofit founded by Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle has received a $20 million gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and $15 million in funding from the state of California.

Hate watch groups voice alarm about Sean Feucht’s Portland security volunteers

By Alejandra Molina — August 13, 2021

(RNS) — ‘If you mess with them or our 1st amendment right to worship God - you’ll meet Jesus one way or another,’ Feucht said when he tweeted a photo of his security team.

California Catholic bishop tells priests to decline vaccine exemption requests

By Alejandra Molina — August 13, 2021

(RNS) — San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy said Catholic social teaching doesn't justify a religious exemption to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jewish and Latino legislators announce funding to renovate century-old synagogue in LA’s Eastside

By Alejandra Molina — August 11, 2021

(RNS) — ‘This was at one time the center of Jewish life in the city of Los Angeles, the center of Jewish life in the western United States,’ said Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel.

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