Tom Heneghan
Tom Heneghan is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Tom Heneghan
Terror attacks confound French authorities with shifting tactics and targets
By Tom Heneghan — July 27, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The issue of how to confront what one security expert called 'this epidemic of terrorism' is deeply dividing a society that now wonders not if but when, and where, the next outrage will occur.
Russian Orthodox Church calls boycotted Crete council ‘an important event’
By Tom Heneghan — July 20, 2016
(RNS) The Russian synod also said the summit in Crete could not be called “pan-Orthodox” because four of the 14 independent Orthodox member churches did not attend.
Pan-Orthodox Council turns into cliffhanger over boycott threats
By Tom Heneghan — June 15, 2016
(RNS) The Russian Orthodox Church cast a pall over the planned June 20-26 meeting on the Greek island of Crete by calling for the session to be postponed.
Growing concern for German churches: Muslim refugees harassing Christians
By Tom Heneghan — June 3, 2016
(RNS) Accounts of Muslim migrants ganging up on Christians and other minorities in refugee shelters are raising concerns.
Key Tunisian party renounces political Islam
By Tom Heneghan — May 23, 2016
(RNS) A party congress over the weekend voted to drop Ennahda’s traditional religious work and participate in Tunisian politics as a regular political party.
German politicians suggest taxing Muslims to fight radicalization
By Tom Heneghan — May 4, 2016
(RNS) Creating a “mosque tax” for Germany’s 4 million Muslims, who make up about 5 percent of the population, would tap a broad base of contributions that could replace foreign funds.
Muslim theology faculties develop an ‘Islam for Germany’
By Tom Heneghan — April 27, 2016
(RNS) The practical approach these faculties have taken contrasts sharply with the increasingly shrill declarations coming from Germany’s far-right.
German Protestants agree to help rebuild notorious Potsdam church
By Tom Heneghan — April 18, 2016
(RNS) There’s a whiff of nostalgia around the restoration, with critics claiming that the aim is to restore some of the glory of the Prussian kingdom that dominated Imperial Germany.
France takes dim view of burkini swimwear, unlike Brits
By Tom Heneghan — April 7, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The arrival of the burkini has rocked headlines in Europe, sparking a strong French reaction and a more flexible treatment in Britain.
French woman who escaped ISIS lives to tell about its horrors
By Tom Heneghan — March 22, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The Cameroon native who grew up in France felt an emptiness she hoped Islam would fill.
German churches tone down refugee welcome as problems mount
By Tom Heneghan — February 12, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The shifting emphasis from religion to realpolitik marked the end of an unusual period during which many Germans took a firm moral stand to help the desperate refugees.
Russian pressure forces historic Orthodox summit to meet in Crete
By Tom Heneghan — January 25, 2016
PARIS (RNS) Russian leaders pressured the church to change the venue after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet that strayed into its airspace.
Catholics and Lutherans to worship together at Reformation anniversary
By Tom Heneghan — January 13, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The new guidelines suggest ecumenical services have two presiders, one Catholic and one Lutheran, and several prayer readers of both faiths.
Belgian archbishop seeks euthanasia opt-out for Catholic hospitals
By Tom Heneghan — January 11, 2016
(RNS) Euthanasia for terminally ill adults is legal -- and popular -- but opposition is growing now that it's allowed for terminally ill children and people with severe mental illness.
Last-minute politics overshadow historic pan-Orthodox council
By Tom Heneghan — December 18, 2015
(RNS) The Orthodox churches were supposed to be only months away from their first major council since the year 787.
