News
Episcopal Church mulls changes to Holy Week readings seen as antisemitic
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 14, 2022
(RNS) — As Holy Week arcs toward Easter and world leaders have decried a resurgence of antisemitism, the Episcopal Church is mulling changes to its lectionary readings.
DHS official Marcus Coleman offers security tips for houses of faith marking holidays
By Adelle M. Banks — April 14, 2022
(RNS) — Coleman advises congregations to keep a watchful eye as they open their doors for in-person gatherings marking special occasions, traditional worship and everyday work.
Tennessee woman baptized by sheriff’s deputy after traffic stop found dead
By Bob Smietana — April 14, 2022
(RNS) — A federal judge ruled that a coerced baptism violated the First Amendment.
On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis warns priests against the idolatry that leads to devil worship
By Claire Giangravé — April 14, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — It’s not uncommon for the pope to candidly address clergy during Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass, when priests renew their vows of ordination.
For rabbis visiting the border with Ukraine, Passover has a whole new meaning
By Yonat Shimron — April 14, 2022
(RNS) — In Poland, the group of 30 rabbis saw a modern-day example of what it’s like to flee from a pharaoh they called Putin into a land that may not be promised, but may provide a measure of safety.
How 5G caused a feud between a small Christian school and T-Mobile
By Bob Smietana — April 13, 2022
(RNS) — A fight over an FCC license has put a small Christian school at odds with a cellphone giant.
National Association of Evangelicals launches racial justice collaborative
By Adelle M. Banks — April 13, 2022
(RNS) — The initiative comes at a time when other evangelical organizations have also attempted to work on race relations in long-term initiatives.
Jains celebrate the founder of their small but ancient faith
By Kalpana Jain — April 13, 2022
(RNS) — A contemporary of the Buddha, Mahavir preached his own way of nonviolence, or ahimsa.
Pastors sue AME Church over missing retirement funds
By Mike Schneider — April 13, 2022
(AP) — “When you take advantage of my money, you lose my trust,” said one AME pastor. “You lose the trust of your employees.”
Future liability releases at center of Boy Scouts bankruptcy
By Randall Chase — April 13, 2022
(AP) — Plaintiffs' lawyers argued that the BSA’s current plan unfairly strips them of their rights to pursue abuse claims against Catholic church officials.
Ukraine upset by Vatican inviting Russian to carry Good Friday cross
By Frances D'emilio — April 13, 2022
(RNS) — “You have to understand one thing” about the pope, said the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, a Jesuit priest in Rome who is close to Francis, on Wednesday. “He's a pastor, not a politician.”
Interfaith leaders gather in Ukraine to appeal for peace
By Jack Jenkins — April 12, 2022
(RNS) — Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said faith leaders should name human rights abuses, call for a cease-fire and offer solidarity to those ‘at the receiving end of the violence.’
Sikhs sue US Marine Corps over hair and beard restrictions
By Alejandra Molina — April 12, 2022
(RNS) — ‘I’m prepared to fight for the right to do my job while staying true to my faith with no caveats, asterisks, or discriminatory restrictions,’ said Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor of the U.S. Marine Corps.
An American rabbi went to help Ukrainian refugees. But he hoped to find his cousins.
By Michele Chabin — April 12, 2022
(RNS) — ‘I knew that finding them would be like finding a needle in a haystack,’ said Rabbi David Wilfond.
Historic Reform seminary in Cincinnati to end rabbinic training program
By Yonat Shimron — April 12, 2022
(RNS) — Hebrew Union College’s Ohio campus had seen declining enrollment as students opted for its coastal campuses, in New York and Los Angeles.