Clergy & Congregations
Influential Detroit pastor the Rev. Charles Gilchrist Adams dies at age 86
By Associated Press — December 1, 2023
DETROIT (AP) — Adams spent a half-century as pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church before retiring in 2019.
In the US, Black survivors are nearly invisible in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis
By Lea Skene and Tiffany Stanley — November 30, 2023
BALTIMORE (AP) — Cases of clergy abuse among African Americans are underreported, experts say, and the U.S. Catholic Church generally does not publicly track the race or ethnicity of victims.
Opposing communities plan separate memorial services for Carlton Pearson
By Adelle M. Banks — November 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I want to show diversity,’ Pearson said in a recording near the end of his life, which has ended up being shown through the range of services.
In the US, Black survivors are nearly invisible in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis
By Lea Skene and Tiffany Stanley — November 29, 2023
BALTIMORE (AP) — Cases of clergy abuse among African Americans are especially underreported, according to experts.
Pope Francis getting antibiotics intravenously for lung problem, limiting appointments, Vatican says
By Associated Press — November 28, 2023
ROME (AP) — The Vatican’s press office said on Monday that the inflammation was causing some respiratory difficulties for Francis.
A film sheds light on 11 daring women whose defiant act changed the Episcopal Church
By Yonat Shimron — November 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘The Philadelphia Eleven’ depicts the buildup toward the so-called irregular ordination at which four bishops ordained 11 women as priests without the denomination’s approval.
Oklahoma Christian leaders seek to join suit opposing state-funded Catholic school
By Fiona André — November 22, 2023
(RNS) — St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School could become the country’s first publicly funded religious charter school.
Jury acquits Catholic priest in Tennessee who was charged with sexual battery
By Associated Press — November 22, 2023
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The charges centered on allegations from February 2020 regarding Punnackal's actions toward the parishioner
A French bishop is accused of attempted rape in latest scandal to hit Catholic Church in France
By Associated Press — November 22, 2023
PARIS (AP) — The Bishops' Conference of France said the accused bishop, Georges Colomb, contests the charge and deserves the presumption of innocence.
Bishop Carlton Pearson, Tulsa pastor declared heretic for views on hell, dies at 70
By Adelle M. Banks — November 20, 2023
(RNS) — 'I’d rather err on the goodness, greatness and graciousness of God than the opposite,' Pearson once said.
Nicaragua’s exiled clergy and faithful in Miami keep up struggle for human rights at Mass
By Giovanna Dell'orto — November 16, 2023
MIAMI (AP) — For Nicaguaran worshippers who have fled or been exiled, the Sunday afternoon Mass is a means of pushing back against the regime’s violent suppression of critics.
Bishop T.D. Jakes helps launch online hub to aid faith leaders with mental health tools
By Adelle M. Banks — November 15, 2023
(RNS) — Jakes introduced the ‘Faith and Mental Health Hub,’ a free online course that aims to define mental health, reduce stigma and encourage self-care activities.
The head of China’s state-backed Catholic church begins historic trip to Hong Kong
By Kanis Leung — November 14, 2023
HONG KONG (AP) — Experts said the invitation was a symbolic gesture that could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican.
Pope Francis removes a leading US conservative critic as bishop of Tyler, Texas
By Nicole Winfield — November 11, 2023
ROME (AP) — Strickland, 65, has emerged as a leading critic of Francis, accusing him in a tweet earlier this year of “undermining the deposit of faith.”
American Baptist Churches USA to be led by Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain
By Fiona André — November 7, 2023
(RNS) — ABCUSA’s new leader stands out, as only 13% of ABCUSA churches are pastored by women, and 86% of women in Baptist churches still report facing obstacles in their ministry because of their gender.
