Christianity
Pope slams ‘insinuations’ against John Paul II as baseless
By Frances D'emilio — April 17, 2023
(AP) — Last week, Pietro Orlandi met for hours with Vatican prosecutors who earlier this year reopened the investigation into his sister's disappearance. Italy's Parliament has also begun a commission of inquest into the case.
Arizona court upholds clergy privilege in child abuse case
By Michael Rezendes and Jason Dearen — April 14, 2023
This church's negligence in reporting abuse, the lawsuit argues, allowed a father to continuing abusing the girl for as many as seven years, a time in which he also abused the girl’s infant sister.
Military hospital chided for shift in Catholic pastoral care
By David Crary — April 14, 2023
(AP) — Walter Reed said it notified the Franciscans in March that their contract would not be renewed, and that another bidder for the new contract had been selected — secular defense contractor Mack Global LLC.
Holy Land Christians say attacks rising in far-right Israel
By Isabel Debre — April 14, 2023
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The uptick in anti-Christian incidents comes as the Israeli settler movement, galvanized by its allies in government, appears to have seized the moment to expand its enterprise in the contested capital.
Woman tied to Arizona polygamous leader accused of threats
By Jacques Billeaud — April 14, 2023
PHOENIX (AP) — The indictment of Josephine Barlow Bistline marks the fourth woman associated with self-declared prophet Samuel Bateman to face federal charges.
Abortion pill rulings undermine religious freedom, interfaith leaders say
By Yonat Shimron — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — Multiple faith groups object to Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk’s ruling on mifepristone, saying it is motivated by a sectarian version of Christianity that tramples over their beliefs.
Bing has a testimony of the Book of Mormon! And other adventures with AI chatbots.
By Jana Riess — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — AI chatbot searches are the next big thing. What will that mean in the Mormon world?
Donald Lawrence: On taking the legacy of gospel music mentor Edwin Hawkins abroad
By Adelle M. Banks — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘A lot of times people make gospel music so much about religion, they forget about the art of it,’ Lawrence said.
DeSantis reinvents a public university using Christian Hillsdale as a model
By Jacob Lupfer — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — DeSantis’ laboratory of anti-wokeness could become a template for GOP governors across the land.
James MacDonald, former Harvest Bible pastor, charged with felony assault and battery
By Bob Smietana — April 13, 2023
(RNS)— MacDonald, a once popular radio preacher who helped found what was one of Chicago’s largest churches, was fired in 2019 and deemed unfit for ministry. He has continued to guest preach at churches and run an online ministry.
Lutherans launch initiative joining Indigenous-led Truth and Healing Movement
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It’s pretty tremendous that a bishop has commissioned a movement,’ said Vance Blackfox, the ELCA’s director for Indigenous ministries and tribal relations.
Survey: US-born Latinos now more likely to be ‘nones’ than Catholic
By Alejandra Molina — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — Among the 65% who said they were raised Catholic, 23% said they no longer identified as such.
After unrest at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel curtails freedom of worship for Christians
By Daoud Kuttab — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — Negotiations between church officials and the Israeli police have broken down.
Can ecumenism survive some Orthodox churches’ resistance to ordained women?
By Anna Piela — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — The issue of female ordination is threatening to define the future of ecumenism and Orthodoxy at large.
We know Americans have become less religious. Surprising new data shows us where.
By Ryan Burge — April 12, 2023
(RNS) — North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan saw drops in total religious adherents of at least 10%.