In Bari, Pope Francis calls Mediterranean region to unity
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a city that once launched the Crusades, Francis urged, unite the forces that once nearly destroyed the known world to bear witness to peace.
Son of pastor John MacArthur charged in $16 million investment scheme
(RNS) — The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Criterion Wealth Management Insurance Services and its co-owners Mark MacArthur and Robert Gravette of failing to reveal financial conflicts of interest when recommending certain investments to their clients.
Polygamy, politics and frontier justice: Why Nauvoo still matters
"In the end you get both the Mormons and those who oppose them giving up on the democratic system and taking justice in their own hands," says historian Benjamin E. Park, whose new book on Nauvoo is out this week.
Solidarity over segregation: Faith-based coalitions organize across races, religions
(RNS) — Author and minister Adam R. Taylor cited interracial Christian work on voter protection and multifaith efforts to combat white nationalism.
How the fight for racial justice pushed Charleston beyond the segregated hour
(RNS) — Moving beyond King's most segregated hour means fighting for fairness day after day, year after year in the name of all of the prophets who stand against injustice.
Trump or no Trump, US evangelicals aren't custodians of the world's gospel witness
(RNS) — Fealty to Trump will hardly 'crash down on the world’s understanding of the gospel,' as a recent editorial alleged: The witness of the gospel is thriving nicely, thank you, regardless of U.S. politics.
A report finds L'Arche founder sexually abused 6 women
PARIS (AP) — Jean Vanier, a religious figure who worked the developmentally disabled in multiple countries over half a century before his death last year, sexually abused at least six women, according to a report.
Why Christ wouldn't aspire to ‘Christic Manhood’
(RNS) — We live in a moment when the cultural ideals surrounding manhood are changing. As with any change, there are those who resist it. Those who have benefited from old ideals are pushing back against the change — often using religion to make their case.
Religious vaccine exemption bill stokes controversy in Connecticut
(RNS) — Some demonstrators wore stickers that read ‘My Faith says Do No Harm.’
Muslim advocates demand Bloomberg apologize for NYPD spying program
(RNS) — A coalition of leading Muslim advocacy organizations sent a letter to Bloomberg this week demanding he apologize for the blanket surveillance in the decade after 9/11 and condemn the use of similar spying programs.
Aging Shiite cleric a powerhouse in Iraq. What comes after?
NAJAF, Iraq (AP) — When Iraq's top Shiite cleric underwent surgery for a fractured bone last month, it sent shivers around the country and beyond. "May God heal Iraq," read ...
Bible college and former Newsweek and Christian Post publishers plead guilty in $35 million fraud probe
(RNS) — A California-based Christian college and the former publishers of The Christian Post and Newsweek have been convicted in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $35 million from lenders, according to the Manhattan district attorney.
Lent's countercultural call is as old as the church—and more necessary than ever
(RNS) — Lent can help us turn away from politics and focus on how our participation in a consumerist, throwaway culture contributes to inequality.
One year after Vatican abuse summit, survivors grade Pope Francis with 'D minus'
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — One year after Pope Francis called for a summit of Catholic bishops at the Vatican, abuse survivors flocked to the Eternal City on Thursday to report a lack of progress and accountability in the fight against clergy sex abuse.
Potawatomi Christian chapel speaker Kaitlin Curtice draws ire of Baylor student group
(RNS) — Curtice’s chapel message about the journey of 'decolonizing' her faith drew pushback from a student group, which posted a statement on Twitter disavowing the service as part of 'the liberal agenda.'