Leaders & Institutions
Sikh Americans, citing ‘transnational repression,’ vote for an independent homeland
By Richa Karmarkar — February 1, 2024
(RNS) — More and more Sikh Americans are fearful about an ‘alarming rise’ in transnational repression, according to several Sikh advocacy organizations.
‘Genius: MLK/X’ docudrama depicts the personal lives of the two civil rights activists
By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The series includes scenes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, and Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, at home with their families and discussing their faith.
Reform Jews support ‘just’ war in Gaza but call for two-state solution
By Yonat Shimron — January 31, 2024
(RNS) — The statement is an attempt to thread the needle. It conveys resolute support for Israel while at the same time criticizing some Israeli proposals for the war's aftermath.
Pope names 3 Chinese bishops in a week and reorganizes diocese under a controversial 2018 accord
By Associated Press — January 31, 2024
ROME (AP) — The Vatican said all nominations took place “within the framework” of the 2018 Vatican-China accord.
Oregon lawmaker suggests non-Christians are unfit for elected office
By Associated Press — January 31, 2024
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — In a talk show interview, Reschke said drug decriminalization “makes our state unlivable,” and argued that spirituality and church leaders are part of the solution.
Pope Francis congratulates Italy after tennis player Jannik Sinner wins the Australian Open
By Associated Press — January 31, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The last Italian man to win a Grand Slam singles title was Adriano Panatta in 1976.
When is criticism of Israel antisemitic? A scholar of modern Jewish history explains
By Joshua Shanes — January 31, 2024
(The Conversation) — In recent years, the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism has taken on renewed importance and competing definitions of antisemitism have emerged. What is antisemitism?
Historic sermon by Gina Stewart at joint Black Baptist meeting draws cheers, controversy
By Adelle M. Banks — January 30, 2024
(RNS) — After many in the room cheered her on and stood as she preached, the session featuring her sermon temporarily disappeared from the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.’s Facebook page.
Franklin Graham’s border tour draws 20,000 signers demanding its cancelation
By Yonat Shimron — January 29, 2024
(RNS) — Critics are calling the 10-city tour 'hypocritical' and denouncing what they say are Graham's 'anti-immigrant' views.
Biden praises Black churches and says the world would be a different place without their example
By Zeke Miller — January 29, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The president is trying to spread the message that he's loyal to South Carolina, which saved his campaign in 2020.
Here’s a look at the 6 things the UN is ordering Israel to do about its operation in Gaza
By Associated Press — January 29, 2024
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The decision was one step in a broader case that the court is considering about South Africa’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
France’s biggest Muslim school went from accolades to defunding – showing a key paradox in how the country treats Islam
By Vincent Geisser, Françoise Lorcerie, and Carol Ferrara — January 29, 2024
(The Conversation) — Some of the measures the French government has taken to fight radicalization can do the opposite, three social scientists argue.
The UMC lost a quarter of its churches — most in the South
By Yonat Shimron — January 26, 2024
(RNS) — The same area of the country that tends to be the most politically conservative and Republican-leaning was where most United Methodist churches voted to leave the denomination.
New member of Mormon church leadership says it must do better to help sex abuse victims heal
By Deepa Bharath — January 24, 2024
The Utah-based faith has stuck by the system despite the criticism and increasing scrutiny from attorneys and prosecutors who argue it is inadequate to quickly stop abuse and protect victims.
Nicaragua released imprisoned priests, but repression is unlikely to relent – and the Catholic Church remains a target
By Kai M. Thaler — January 24, 2024
(The Conversation) — When President Daniel Ortega returned to power in 2006, church figures supported him. Violent repression after the 2018 protests has soured the relationship and made clergy targets for intimidation.
