Associated Press
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All Stories by Associated Press

Man brings gun and knives into a Virginia church service after vague online threats, police say
By Associated Press — September 26, 2023
(AP) — In recent years, there's been a stark uptick in concerning episodes at churches, synagogues, temples and mosques.

Dutch prosecutors demand 12-year sentence for Pakistani cricketer for call to kill lawmaker Wilders
By Associated Press — August 31, 2023
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The suspect, identified by Wilders as Khalid Latif, is accused of offering a bounty of some 21,000 euros ($23,000) to anybody who killed Wilders.

Pope says some ‘backward’ conservatives in US Catholic Church have replaced faith with ideology
By Associated Press — August 29, 2023
ROME (AP) — Francis’ comments were an acknowledgment of the divisions in the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been split between progressives and conservatives.

Danish government to present draft law making it illegal to burn the Quran or other religious texts
By Associated Press — August 28, 2023
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark has been viewed as a country that facilitates insults and denigration of the cultures, religions and traditions of other countries, the government said.

A retired Wyoming bishop cleared by Vatican of sexual abuse despite local findings has died at 91
By Associated Press — August 25, 2023
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — In 2021, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith cleared him of seven accusations of abuse and determined that five others couldn't be proven with certainty.

Amputees can get their body parts back for spiritual reasons, new Oregon law says
By Associated Press — August 24, 2023
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — For some members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, keeping a person’s body together is necessary for a smooth transition to the spirit world.

Nicaraguan government bans Jesuit order and says all its property will be confiscated
By Associated Press — August 24, 2023
MEXICO CITY (AP) — It was the latest in a series of increasingly authoritarian actions by the Nicaraguan government against the Catholic Church and opposition figures.

Sheriff seeking phone records between Alabama priest and 18-year-old woman who fled to Europe
By Associated Press — August 23, 2023
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Alex Crow, a Catholic priest in south Alabama, left the country in late July with the 18-year-old woman, authorities in south Alabama said.

Pope Francis calls for peaceful end to the Niger crisis
By Associated Press — August 22, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — He called on the international community “to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible, for the good of all.”

A former New York bishop who promoted social justice, but covered up rape allegations, dies at 84
By Associated Press — August 22, 2023
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Hubbard passed away at Albany Medical Center on Saturday after being hospitalized for the stroke days prior, bishop spokesperson Mark Behan confirmed.

A woman interrupts a Quran-burning protest in Sweden by spraying activist with a fire extinguisher
By Associated Press — August 21, 2023
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has desecrated the Quran in a series of anti-Islam protests that have caused anger in many Muslim countries.

Australian ex-priest has prison sentence extended to 40 years for molesting 72nd child victim
By Associated Press — August 17, 2023
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The prison sentence has been extended eight times over the decades as more victims have come forward.

Nicaraguan government seizes highly regarded university from Jesuits
By Associated Press — August 17, 2023
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The University of Central America in Nicaragua, which was a hub for 2018 protests against the regime of President Daniel Ortega, called the terrorism accusation unfounded and the seizure a blow to academia in Nicaragua.

Sweden calls for vigilance abroad after Quran desecrations and protests
By Associated Press — August 16, 2023
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Henrik Landerholm, Sweden’s National Security Adviser, said there are signs of “a heightened threat" to the country and to Swedish interests abroad, adding the security situation has worsened.

Man sought in alleged misuse of over $30M intended for Christian ministry in China
By Associated Press — August 9, 2023
DUBLIN, Ga. (AP) — Prosecutors said Shenk got more than $30 million from faith-based charities and individual donors, primarily from religious communities in Ohio and North Carolina, promising to use the money to produce and distribute Bibles and other Christian literature in China.
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