Law & Court
A football coach who got job back after Supreme Court ruled he could pray on the field has resigned
By Ed Komenda — September 7, 2023
SEATTLE (AP) — In a statement, the Bremerton School District confirmed that assistant coach Joe Kennedy had submitted his resignation.
NJ town accused of discriminating against Orthodox Jews will pay $575K settlement
By Kathryn Post — August 29, 2023
(RNS) — Jackson Township had been accused of discriminatory surveillance and zoning ordinances that targeted its growing Orthodox Jewish community.
Federal judge denies religious parents’ request to opt kids out of LGBTQ+ lessons
By Fiona André — August 25, 2023
(RNS) — The year-long battle between MCPS and the families is not over yet, as the judge still needs to hear the full case before making a final decision.
Civil case over Cardinal Pell abuse allegations allowed to proceed against church in Australia
By Rod Mcguirk — August 25, 2023
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Australian court on Friday allowed a civil case to proceed against a Catholic archdiocese involving child sex abuse allegations against late Cardinal George Pell.
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.
Court watchdog files complaint against a judge who ordered ‘religious-liberty training’ for lawyers
By Associated Press — August 17, 2023
(AP) — The leader of Fix the Court says U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr's choice of training conducted by a Christian legal-advocacy group is “strange and unprecedented.”
Brian Houston acquitted by Australian court in sexual abuse cover-up case
By Roxanne Stone — August 16, 2023
(RNS) — Houston was charged with concealing his late father, Frank Houston's, sexual abuse of a young man.
Will the Supreme Court take up the denial of religious exemptions for unvaccinated schoolchildren?
By Mark Silk — August 10, 2023
(RNS) — A Connecticut case makes it likely.
Man sought in alleged misuse of over $30M intended for Christian ministry in China
By Associated Press — August 9, 2023
DUBLIN, Ga. (AP) — Prosecutors said Shenk got more than $30 million from faith-based charities and individual donors, primarily from religious communities in Ohio and North Carolina, promising to use the money to produce and distribute Bibles and other Christian literature in China.
How India’s religious violence is becoming a problem for American politicians
By Richa Karmarkar — August 9, 2023
(RNS) — US politicians are under increasing pressure to account for their courtship of Indian Prime Minister Modi, the leader of a strategically important ally and the world's largest democracy.
Atheist and agnostic fired for not attending company prayers win $50K in suit
By Yonat Shimron — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — The two workers declined to participate in a daily prayer circle as the company owner read from Scripture.
Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary faces May trial on terrorism charges
By Associated Press — August 7, 2023
LONDON (AP) — Choudary, 56, is also charged with two other counts under the Terrorism Act: membership in a banned organization, the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun, and addressing meetings to encourage support for the organization over the past year.
For many Pittsburgh Jews, Robert Bowers deserves the death penalty
By Yonat Shimron — August 3, 2023
(RNS) — The execution may be years or decades away, if it happens at all, but for the country’s worst act of antisemitism the death penalty sent a message that hatred of Jews should never be tolerated.
Court affirms sex abuse conviction of ex-friar who worked at a Catholic school in Mississippi
By Associated Press — August 3, 2023
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Leflore County jurors in April 2022 found West guilty of one count of sexual battery and one count of gratification of lust.
After synagogue gunman’s death sentence, Pittsburgh’s Jews feel relief, resilience — and gratitude
By Ron Kampeas — August 3, 2023
PITTSBURGH (JTA) — The overriding feeling in this city now that the gunman convicted of murdering 11 Jews here in 2018 has been sentenced to death is gratitude.
