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
New suit alleges San Diego Catholic diocese transferred assets to avoid paying sex abuse claims
By Alejandra Molina — February 22, 2023
(RNS) — ‘They have developed a PR spin on how they’re concerned about victims ... but at the end of the day, it’s all about the money and protecting their assets,’ attorney Irwin Zalkin said of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
Suspect arrested in shooting of Los Angeles bishop is housekeeper’s husband
By Alejandra Molina — February 20, 2023
HACIENDA HEIGHTS, Calif. (RNS) — Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell was committed to 'the ordinary person, not the rich Catholic,' said Linda Dakin-Grimm, an immigration attorney who worked with the bishop. His death is being investigated as a homicide.
Los Angeles Bishop David O’Connell dies in shooting
By Alejandra Molina — February 19, 2023
Los Angeles (RNS) — Bishop David O’Connell, 69, is known to have ministered to those affected by gang violence and poverty, and he was regarded as a “peacemaker” between rival gangs.
LAPD amps up patrols near Jewish worship spaces after shootings outside synagogues
By Alejandra Molina — February 17, 2023
(RNS) — 'The community is really afraid,' said Rabbi Noah Farkas, with the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
Latino evangelicals launch campaign against Florida execution of Donald David Dillbeck
By Alejandra Molina — February 15, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We believe in life at all levels and in all circumstances,’ said Bishop Angel Marcial, president of the Florida Fellowship of Hispanic Councils & Evangelical Institutions.
Chronicling Los Angeles’ iconic Virgin of Guadalupe street art
By Alejandra Molina — February 10, 2023
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — 'Whenever you see a virgencita you feel safe. You know that your people, your gente, your raza are around,' said Oscar Rodriguez Zapata.
California senator announces bill to protect religious practices of incarcerated individuals
By Alejandra Molina — February 6, 2023
(RNS) — Backers of the bill say that allowing religious detainees and prisoners to wear religious garb does not constitute 'coddling' them.
New effort surveys Sikh students about bullying and school climate in the US
By Alejandra Molina — February 3, 2023
(RNS) — 'There is a gap between the lived experiences of Sikh kids and what teachers, administrators and policymakers understand,' said Rucha Kaur, community development director for the Sikh Coalition.
A solemn Buddhist ceremony offers comfort, healing at site of Monterey Park shooting
By Alejandra Molina — February 1, 2023
MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (RNS) — ‘If we take hatred for hatred, we will never have peace of mind,’ said the Venerable Chang Ju. ‘We need the wisdom to overcome all this.’
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.
