Clergy & Congregations
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.’
Ahead of General Conference, queer United Methodist delegates organize a caucus
By Yonat Shimron — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — After a four-year COVID-19 delay, and the departure of about 25% of its U.S. churches, the United Methodist Church is meeting again and the issue of human sexuality is back on the agenda.
LGBTQ-inclusive church in Cuba welcomes all in a country that once sent gay people to labor camps
By Luis Andres Henao — April 1, 2024
MATANZAS, Cuba (AP) — Cuba repressed gay people after its 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and sent many to labor camps. But in recent years, the communist-run island barred anti-gay discrimination.
With pilgrimages on hold, Holy Land Easter programming fills a gap
By Yonat Shimron — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — Franklin Graham's 30-minute Easter special from Jerusalem is one of many programs airing amid a huge downturn in Holy Land tourism since Oct. 7.
Missouri boarding school closes as state agency examines how it responded to abuse claims
By Jim Salter — March 28, 2024
(AP) — The allegations are the latest against people associated with Christian boarding schools in Missouri.
Black pastors see popular Easter services as an opportunity to rebuild in-person worship attendance
By Darren Sands — March 28, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — This Easter is an opportunity for Black churches to welcome more visitors to their pews and try to begin reversing attendance trends
A Chinese pastor is released after 7 years in prison, only to find himself unable to get an ID
By Huizhong Wu — March 26, 2024
BEIJING (AP) — Cao, who was born and raised in Changsha, had dedicated his life to spreading Christianity in China, where the religion is strictly regulated.
In suburban Washington, a new ISKCON temple marks a new beginning for devotees
By Richa Karmarkar — March 25, 2024
POTOMAC, Maryland (RNS) — Growing from a small ashram in the 1970s, the D.C. branch of the movement formerly known as Hare Krishnas opened an 11,000-square-foot house of worship on Saturday (March 23).
Religious affairs expert Thomas Bowen moves from city of Washington to White House
By Adelle M. Banks — March 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While shifting to national and international issues, he will still be acting as a clergyperson in the city that he has long served.
Charlie Dates counters John MacArthur’s declaration that MLK ‘was not a Christian’
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — In an open letter, the Chicago pastor compares the California pastor to King opponents George Wallace and J. Edgar Hoover, calling MacArthur 'them in postmodern dress.'
A Holocaust exhibit seemed harmless. With the war in Gaza, it’s come under scrutiny.
By Yonat Shimron — March 18, 2024
DURHAM (RNS) — The US Holocaust Memorial Museum exhibit, 'Some Were Neighbors,' has been traveling across the country for the past two years. A coalition of Durham residents say it presents a narrow view of genocide.
Victims of Catholic nuns rely on each other after being overlooked in the clergy sex abuse crisis
By Tiffany Stanley — March 18, 2024
(AP) — Women in religious orders have also been abuse victims — but they have been perpetrators too.
Nearly 500 victims of church sex abuse in France have received financial compensation
By Barbara Surk — March 15, 2024
NICE, France (AP) — The report described a “systemic” coverup by church officials and urged the French Catholic Church to respect the rule of law in France.
Polish Catholics get a new leader as the church struggles to reckon with sexual abuse
By Associated Press — March 15, 2024
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A number of Poland's archbishops and bishops have retired or stepped down, with the Vatican's approval, for ignoring or trying to cover up abuses cases and for downplaying the trauma of the victims.
