News

Photos of the Week: March for Life, Buddhists in South Korea, MLK

By Kit Doyle — January 21, 2022

(RNS) - This week’s photo gallery includes the annual March for Life, protesting Buddhists in South Korea and more.

At March for Life, a mix of triumph and apprehension

By Jack Jenkins — January 21, 2022

Thích Nhất Hạnh, Zen master who preached compassion and nonviolence, dies

By Ira Rifkin — January 21, 2022

Texas rabbi urges Americans to view each other in God’s image

By Yonat Shimron — January 21, 2022

(RNS) — Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who survived a hostage-taking at his synagogue last Saturday, gave the closing remarks at an online White House briefing Friday, with an impassioned plea for civility.

Online forum draws hundreds of faith leaders to counter religious opposition to abortion

By Alejandra Molina — January 21, 2022

(RNS) — 'So many of the abortion restrictions we’re seeing come from a particular religious lens that doesn’t represent the majority of the country,' said a Presbyterian pastor.

Former Sen. Donnelly confirmed as US ambassador to Vatican

By Associated Press — January 21, 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate approved Donnelly for the position in a voice vote Thursday.

Texas synagogue hostage-taker killed by multiple gun shots

By Associated Press — January 21, 2022

COLLEYVILLE, Texas (AP) — The Tarrant County Medical Examiner released initial information from the autopsy of Malik Faisal Akram on Friday.

Pope vows justice for abuse victims after Ratzinger faulted

By Nicole Winfield — January 21, 2022

ROME (AP) — Francis said the church was continuing to discern the way forward in the abuse scandal, which has discredited the Catholic hierarchy at the Vatican and around the world.

On eve of March for Life, Catholic abortion rights advocates counterprotest pro-life vigil

By Jack Jenkins — January 21, 2022

(RNS) — The group Catholics for Choice projected slogans on the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception as worshippers inside held an anti-abortion vigil.

Russia jails more Jehovah’s Witnesses, prompting calls for ‘strong measures’

By Adelle M. Banks — January 20, 2022

(RNS) — More than 80 Jehovah’s Witnesses are imprisoned in Russia, including some awaiting trial and some detained after being convicted.

Top Presbyterian executive calls on US Jews to end ‘enslavement’ of Palestinians

By Yonat Shimron — January 20, 2022

(RNS) — In his reflection on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson said he hoped U.S. Jews would influence the U.S. government in ‘ending the immoral enslavement’ of Palestinians.

California to delete Mayan, Ifá affirmations from ethnic studies to settle lawsuit

By Alejandra Molina — January 20, 2022

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — By deleting the affirmations, state officials say they are affirming their ‘long-standing commitment to ensuring appropriate treatment of religion in a secular public education context.’

Pope to soon declare 37th doctor of the church: St. Irenaeus

By Associated Press — January 20, 2022

ROME (AP) — A 2nd-century saint known as a bridge between eastern and western Christianity took another step Thursday toward being declared a doctor of the church, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church.

France moves closer to banning veils in sports competitions

By Samuel Petrequin — January 20, 2022

(AP) — The French soccer federation already bans women from wearing headscarves in official matches, as well as at competitions it organizes.

Jewish leaders renew antisemitism fight after hostage case

By Peter Smith — January 20, 2022

(AP) — The gunman’s words were all too familiar to Jewish leaders and terror experts, who saw the attack on Congregation Beth Israel as yet another in the rising number of antisemitic hate crimes.