News
Rejection or welcome: Transgender Catholics encounter both
By David Crary — February 27, 2022
(AP) — A small but growing number of parishes have formed LGBTQ support groups and welcome transgender people on their own terms.
Pope Francis calls Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to express ‘profound pain’
By Claire Giangravé — February 27, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — It is Pope Francis' latest effort to promote dialogue as war rages in Ukraine.
Prayers and despair: Ukrainians in the US decry invasion
By Elliot Spagat and Michael Rubinkam — February 26, 2022
(AP) — A sense of helplessness overcame Ukrainians in America as the war unfolded half a world away, with little chance their loved ones in Ukraine would find refuge in the U.S. any time soon.
Priest’s new assignment: Helping those he invalidly baptized
By Jacques Billeaud and Luis Andres Henao — February 26, 2022
PHOENIX (AP) —Church officials estimate Rev. Andrés Arango performed thousands of baptisms that are now presumed invalid and said those affected now need valid baptisms.
Franklin Graham sends disaster response teams to Europe; says he opposes war
By Yonat Shimron — February 26, 2022
(RNS) — He said Samaritan’s Purse can help with food, clothing, housing and other needs. Graham denied supporting Putin in his war against Ukraine.
Photos of the Week: Russia invades Ukraine, botched baptisms
By Kit Doyle — February 25, 2022
(RNS) - This week’s photo gallery includes the Russian invasion of Ukraine, botched Catholic baptisms and more.
How to help Ukrainians today: Organizations providing aid
By Andrea Klick — February 25, 2022
(RNS) — RNS has compiled a list of verified organizations — many of them religious or religiously affiliated — working to support Ukrainians right now.
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson: ‘One can only come this far by faith’
By Jack Jenkins — February 25, 2022
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'I must begin these very brief remarks by thanking God for delivering me to this point in my professional journey,' said Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Ukrainian-American Jews pray, anxiously await news from family back home
By Menachem Wecker — February 25, 2022
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'It’s scary, because they don’t know what’s to come.'
Colleyville Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker to take new pulpit in North Carolina
By Yonat Shimron — February 25, 2022
(RNS) — The Winston-Salem congregation with about 280 member families is more than double the size of the Colleyville congregation.
In Los Angeles, a Ukrainian Catholic Church serves as respite amid Russian invasion
By Alejandra Molina — February 25, 2022
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — 'Many people feel anxiety, fear, frustration … To be together in church, to be together as a Ukrainian family and support each other, that’s very important,' said the Rev. Ihor Koshyk.
Bradley Nassif, Orthodox theologian, on why Americans should care about Ukraine
By Bob Smietana — February 25, 2022
(RNS) — The Orthodox theologian who once taught at an evangelical school warns that Russia's invasion of Ukraine should worry Americans who care about religious freedom.
Residents of Chicago’s Ukrainian Village rally on steps of church as Russia invades Ukraine
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2022
CHICAGO (RNS) — The church is where many Ukrainians turn when there’s trouble, according to one person at the demonstration.
Pagans and witches offer prayers for peace in Ukraine
By Heather Greene — February 25, 2022
(RNS) — Concerned for the people of Ukraine, pagans offered prayers and energy work for peace.
Pope makes personal appeal in remarkable Russia embassy trip
By Nicole Winfield — February 25, 2022
ROME (AP) — Vatican officials said they knew of no such previous papal initiative.
