Clergy & Congregations

Spain approves plan to compensate victims of Catholic Church sex abuse. Church will be asked to pay

By Associated Press — April 24, 2024
MADRID (AP) — The project will include free legal assistance for all victims of sexual abuse and it will reinforce the prevention supervision in schools.
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Hiking, disc golf, flower arranging: UMC initiative connects people around non-church interests

By Yonat Shimron — April 19, 2024
NORWOOD, N.C. (RNS) — 'Fresh Expressions' is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends.

Teenager is charged with terrorism offenses in stabbings of bishop and priest at Sydney church

By Mark Baker and Keiran Smith — April 19, 2024
SYDNEY (AP) — A crowd of up to 600 people converged on the church after the attack, some demanding that police hand over the boy.

Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Sydney clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says

By Mark Baker and Rod Mcguirk — April 17, 2024
SYDNEY (AP) — Kheir is among several community leaders who have accused police of unnecessarily raising community tensions with a premature declaration on Tuesday that the attack at Christ the Good Shepherd Church fit the definition of a terrorist act.

After traditionalist churches left, UMC may be more — not less — diverse

By Yonat Shimron — April 16, 2024
(RNS) — Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination.

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.

Far-right pastor Doug Wilson meets with local critics in Idaho

By Tracy Simmons — April 12, 2024
MOSCOW, Idaho (FaVS News) — More than 100 people attended the forum, which was held on the University of Idaho campus and organized by the student group Collegiate Reformed Fellowship.

Documentary portrays asylum-seeking family helped by a Seattle synagogue

By Yonat Shimron — April 11, 2024
(RNS) — ‘All We Carry’ follows a Honduran couple and their son as they make their way from Mexico to Seattle, where they settle for three years until an immigration court hears their asylum claim.

Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations

By Aniruddha Ghosal — April 10, 2024
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) —Vietnam described that appointment as a “historic moment,” underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy See’s ties with China.

At Yale, Christian pastors sign a declaration opposing religious nationalism

By Yonat Shimron — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — The declaration commits Christian leaders to preaching on moral issues and rejecting a political movement it says is exploiting traditional values to undermine democracy.

Anger in Malaysia over shoes bearing logo resembling Arabic word for God. Company head apologizes

By Associated Press — April 8, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) —The Islamic department said if evidence that the logo was deliberately created to mimic the word “God” in Arabic, legal action will be taken to prevent similar future incidents.

Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit Catholic bishop who opposed war and promoted social justice, dies at 94

By Ed White — April 5, 2024
DETROIT (AP) — Gumbleton became a national religious figure in the 1960s when he was urged by activist priests to oppose the U.S. role in the Vietnam War.

Churches look to eclipse as outreach opportunity

By Adelle M. Banks — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Science is part of God’s wonder,’ said one pastor. ‘And I think it’s good for us to celebrate that as Christians.’
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