Clergy & Congregations
Suspended UMC Latina bishop accused of financial malfeasance and retaliation
By Yonat Shimron — September 19, 2023
(RNS) — The trial of Bishop Minerva Carcaño is a first for a United Methodist bishop.
Survey: Mainline clergy are more liberal than their congregants
By Yonat Shimron — September 14, 2023
(RNS) — Mainline clergy are more supportive than their congregants of LGBTQ rights, more likely to have opposed the overturn of Roe v. Wade and less likely to believe America is in danger of losing its culture and identity.
Three dozen NC churches have agreed to leave the UMC under approved plan
By Yonat Shimron — September 8, 2023
(RNS) — After a judge dismissed their lawsuit, the 36 churches in the Western North Carolina Conference agreed to leave under the denomination's exit plan. They will formally exit in November.
Louisiana grand jury charges 91-year-old disgraced priest with sexual assault of teenage boy in 1975
By Jim Mustian — September 8, 2023
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The indictment of Lawrence Hecker comes amid a years-old legal battle over a trove of secret church records that were shielded by a sweeping confidentiality order in 2020.
For Jews, pandemic-era online worship has an enduring upside
By Yonat Shimron — August 31, 2023
(RNS) — The embrace of videoconferencing and livestreaming is actually helping Jews engage more fully with their faith.
Alumni grieve for Jesuit-run university seized by Nicaraguan government that transformed their lives
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — August 30, 2023
MÉXICO CITY (AP) — Ortega’s government described the university as a “center of terrorism” and seized its property, buildings and bank accounts on August 16.
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.
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.
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.
San Francisco Archdiocese declares bankruptcy amid hundreds of lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse
By Olga R. Rodriguez — August 22, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Survivors of clergy sex abuse victims criticized the bankruptcy filing, calling it a ploy to keep information hidden.
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.
Ukrainian Orthodox churches purge vestiges of Russian influence
By Meagan Saliashvili — August 18, 2023
LVIV, Ukraine (RNS) — For centuries, Orthodox Ukrainians saw the traditional Julian calendar as one of the anchors of their church’s identity. Now many are switching to the Gregorian calendar.
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.
