Christianity
Pope’s peace envoy arrives in Moscow after the short-lived Wagner rebellion
By Nicole Winfield — June 27, 2023
ROME (AP) — It follows Zuppi's visit to Kyiv earlier this month, which the Vatican described as an initiative to try to find paths of peace.
Southern Baptists uphold expulsion of churches with women pastors – but the debate’s not just about gender
By Andrew Gardner — June 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — In Southern Baptist history, rules on women and sexuality are often entwined. A scholar writes about the first congregation to be expelled from the SBC over LGBTQ+ issues
Bishop Strickland subject to Vatican investigation
By Jack Jenkins — June 26, 2023
(RNS) — The investigation, known as an apostolic visitation, comes after years of controversy surrounding Strickland.
Pence calls for his 2024 rivals to back a 15-week federal abortion ban on eve of Dobbs anniversary
By Will Weissert and Michelle L. Price — June 26, 2023
WASHINGTON (AP) — The exhortation at the Faith & Freedom Coalition’s annual conference amounted to a challenge for the GOP front-runner, Donald Trump.
Catholic Democrats issue new ‘statement of principles’ defending abortion rights
By Jack Jenkins — June 24, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The statement frames abortion as a personal choice in keeping with Catholic teaching regarding freedom of conscience and suggests restrictive abortion laws may violate the separation of church and state.
Meet Natalie Drew: Christian, trans woman, veteran and pacifist
By Kathryn Post — June 23, 2023
(RNS) — 'I get asked a lot, why do I stay?' said Drew, a wife and mother of two. 'I stay because I truly believe Jesus Christ came, died and rose again the third day.'
For church worship teams, Auto-Tune covers a multitude of sins. Especially online.
By Bob Smietana — June 22, 2023
(RNS) — The boom in livestreaming and the ubiquity of Auto-Tune and other technologies have led churches to up their game when it come to sound technology. But has it gone too far?
After a decade of sex abuse education in Africa, Freely in Hope pivots to American churches
By Fiona André — June 22, 2023
(RNS) — The organization’s shift to North America was prompted by numerous recent sexual abuse scandals in American churches.
Abuse experts look to coming synod to promote accountability on abuse
By Claire Giangravé — June 22, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis’ project to reform power structures in the church might have a strong impact in addressing the clerical sexual abuse crisis.
In church remains, German archaeologists discover the truth of ‘Atlantis of the North Sea’
By David I. Klein — June 22, 2023
(RNS) — After a century, a legendary North Frisian city that has lived in church sermons, chronicles and art across the region for six centuries has been found.
Vatican document highlights need for concrete steps for women, ‘radical inclusion’ of LGBTQ+
By Associated Press — June 22, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The document used the terminology “LGBTQ+ persons” rather than the Vatican’s traditional “persons with homosexual tendencies,” suggesting a level of acceptance that Francis ushered in a decade ago with his famous “Who am I to judge” comment.
US Mormons are becoming less Republican, but not by much
By Jana Riess — June 21, 2023
(RNS) — Driven by younger voters, U.S. Mormons are shifting slowly away from default affiliation with the GOP. But it’s less of a blue wave than a blue ripple.
‘The Wicker Man,’ the classic horror film and pagan must-see, gets new life at 50
By Heather Greene — June 21, 2023
(RNS) — In anticipation of its 50th anniversary, the landmark film’s ‘director’s cut’ was released Wednesday in time for the solstice, a major pagan holiday.
Welcoming the stranger on World Refugee Day
By Bridget Moix — June 21, 2023
(RNS) — Accepting refugees professionally and compassionately is part of America’s history.
Convalescing Pope Francis holds talks with Cuba’s president at Vatican
By Associated Press — June 21, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, in his first full week back at the Vatican following abdominal surgery, met on Tuesday with Cuba’s president, part of the Holy See's attention to the communist-led Caribbean island nation.