Peter Smith
Peter Smith is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Peter Smith
Oops. Southern Baptist agency announces firing of its leader, then retracts that announcement
By Peter Smith — July 25, 2024
AP -- In under 48 hours, the head of the staunchly conservative public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention rankled fellow Baptists by applauding President Joe Biden's “selfless act” of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. Then, his agency reported he was fired — and now they have reaffirmed his leadership.
On heartland roads, and a riverboat, devout Catholics press on with two-month nationwide pilgrimage
By Peter Smith — June 25, 2024
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Catholic pilgrims are in the middle of a two-month journey on four routes across the United States. They're planning to converge on Indianapolis in mid-July for a climactic stadium gathering called the National Eucharistic Congress, the first such event in more than 80 years.
Donald Trump tells a group that calls for banning all abortions to stand up for ‘innocent life’
By Michelle L. Price and Peter Smith — June 11, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the overturning of a federally guaranteed right to abortion — having nominated three of the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade — but has resisted supporting a national abortion ban and says he wants to leave the issue to the states.
From women pastors to sexual abuse to Trump, Southern Baptists have a busy few days ahead of them
By Peter Smith — June 10, 2024
(AP) — Thousands will gather in Indianapolis June 11-12 for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. The meeting comes at a fraught time in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Messengers will vote on whether to establish a constitutional ban on churches with women pastors. They’ll hear a report — and get outside criticism — of their handling of sexual abuse among their clergy.
Southern Baptists are poised to ban churches with women pastors. Some are urging them to reconsider
By Peter Smith — June 10, 2024
(AP) — At the SBC’s annual meeting June 11-12 in Indianapolis, representatives will vote on whether to amend the denomination’s constitution to essentially ban churches with any women pastors — and not just in the top job.
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
By Peter Smith — May 20, 2024
(AP) — The pilgrimage amounts to an effort to revive a type of mass devotion that was once more common in past generations of Catholicism in the U.S. and beyond.
Jesus is their savior, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president’s backers say he shares faith, values.
By Peter Smith — May 20, 2024
(AP) — Republican primary voters still overwhelmingly chose Trump. And for many, Trump is a champion of Christianity and patriotism.
United Methodists scrap their anti-gay bans. A woman who defied them seeks reinstatement as pastor
By David Crary, Peter Smith, and Holly Meyer — May 16, 2024
(AP) — Earlier this month, delegates at a United Methodist Church conference struck down the UMC’s longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies and created a path for clergy ousted because of them to seek reinstatement.
Why the speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College’s commencement
By Peter Smith and Heather Hollingsworth — May 16, 2024
(AP) — The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger conservative movement in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.
United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ and other issues
By Peter Smith — April 26, 2024
(AP) — The plan would create multiple regional conferences — one for the United States and others covering areas ranging from the Philippines to Europe to Africa.
United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion
By Peter Smith — April 25, 2024
(AP) – Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference.
As a landmark United Methodist gathering approaches, African churches weigh their future.
By Peter Smith — April 15, 2024
(AP) — Today, members from four continents vote at legislative gatherings, serve on boards together, go on mission trips to each others’ countries and are largely governed by the same rules.
US Jews upset with Trump’s latest rhetoric say he doesn’t get to tell them how to be Jewish
By Peter Smith and Tiffany Stanley — March 26, 2024
(AP) – This week, Trump charged that Jewish Democrats were being disloyal to their faith and to Israel.
Sex abuse survivors dispute Southern Baptist leadership and say federal investigation is ongoing
By Peter Smith — March 11, 2024
(AP) — The SBC has faced a reckoning over its handling of sexual abuse since a 2019 report by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News, documenting hundreds of abuse cases in Southern Baptist churches.
Baltimore to pay $275k in legal fees after trying to block far-right Catholic group’s 2021 rally
By Peter Smith — March 11, 2024
(AP) — Church Militant has been known for publishing stories against LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church and strongly criticizing its advocates, among other controversial topics.
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