Leaders & Institutions
Trump assails Jewish voters who back Biden: ‘Should have their head examined’
By Bill Barrow — April 11, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — The Gaza conflict has sandwiched Biden between conservatives – both Christian and Jewish – who want stalwart support for Netanyahu’s government, and progressives.
Morocco’s earthquake killed thousands. But survivors marking Ramadan say it didn’t shake their faith
By Sam Metz — April 11, 2024
AMIZMIZ, Morocco (AP) — On Wednesday, as Eid al-Fitr began, the holiday mood for many Moroccans vacillated between festiveness and despair.
Brazil’s Yanomami leader asks the Pope to support President Lula in reversing damage to the Amazon
By Nicole Winfield — April 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — History’s first Latin American pope has made caring for the environment, especially the Amazon, a hallmark of his papacy.
At Yale, Christian pastors sign a declaration opposing religious nationalism
By Yonat Shimron — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — The declaration commits Christian leaders to preaching on moral issues and rejecting a political movement it says is exploiting traditional values to undermine democracy.
A dramatic schism over social issues? The United Methodist Church has been here before – but this time, America’s religious landscape is far different
By Christopher H. Evans — April 9, 2024
(The Conversation) — The United Methodist Church will hold its General Conference, delayed several years by the pandemic, in April 2024. The meeting comes amid a dramatic divide over LGBTQ+ rights.
Conservative Christians praise Trump’s anti-abortion record but say he’s stopped short of the goal
By Holly Meyer and Tiffany Stanley — April 9, 2024
(AP) — As Republican-led states have outlawed or further restricted abortion, Democrats believe the fight over abortion rights helps them at the polls.
Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives
By David Crary — April 9, 2024
(AP) — The dismay was heightened because recent moves by Pope Francis had encouraged some trans Catholics to hope the church might become more accepting.
The fight against Hindu nationalism in the United States is multifaith, says a newly formed coalition
By Richa Karmarkar — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — A declaration from the newly formed coalition Savera: United Against Supremacy expressed the group's 'acute concern' of Hindu nationalism, which they say now 'finds itself in a deepening alliance with various facets of the American far-right.'
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.
Peru archbishop who sued 2 journalists over reports on abuses, financial corruption resigns early
By Franklin BriceÑo and Nicole Winfield — April 4, 2024
ROME (AP) —The Vatican has had its eye on religious movement Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, which has chapters across South America and the U.S., for over a decade.
Indian American lawmakers urge DOJ to address ‘alarming’ rise of Hindu temple vandalism
By Richa Karmarkar — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — Hindu advocates say the trend of temple vandalism points to a lack of an adequate response from law enforcement, which they blame on anti-Hindu bias.
Muslim leaders reject chance to break bread with Biden as anger over Gaza festers
By Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller — April 3, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats fear that Biden's loss of support among Muslims could help clear a path for his Republican predecessor to return to the White House.
Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI’s aide
By Nicole Winfield — April 3, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis's frail health has raised questions about how much longer he will remain pope, whether he might follow in Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign.
T.D. Jakes mentioned briefly in suit against music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
By Adelle M. Banks — April 2, 2024
(RNS) — Jakes, a Dallas-based megachurch pastor, is not among the defendants in the suit, which include several record labels.
Some state lawmakers want school chaplains as part of a ‘rescue mission’ for public education
By Hannah Fingerhut — April 1, 2024
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Many chaplains and interfaith organizations oppose the chaplaincy campaign, calling the motivation offensive and describing the dangers of introducing a position of authority to children without clear standards or boundaries.
