News
Vatican Library opens to public with old-new art space
By Associated Press — November 8, 2021
Pope Francis said, "We need a new beauty, that isn’t the usual reflection of power of some but a courageous mosaic of everyone’s diversity.”
French bishops agree to compensate sex abuse victims
By Associated Press — November 8, 2021
They committed to allocating money to a specific fund “in order to compensate victims,” notably by selling property or through a potential loan.
Some churches got mega PPP loans. A few got tiny ones.
By Bob Smietana — November 8, 2021
(RNS) — While some congregations got multi-million-dollar PPP loans, some got tiny loans by accident. Two churches got loans for $666.
Indian Catholics hope a papal visit will halt anti-Christian persecution
By Claire Giangravé — November 8, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Catholic minority in India hopes that a papal visit will mend relations between Christians and Hindus and promote gender equality in the local church.
European diversity campaign celebrating Hijab ended after French backlash
By Joseph Hammond — November 8, 2021
(RNS) — A Council of Europe spokesperson told the BBC the organization had taken down the campaign tweets, 'while we reflect on a better presentation of the project.'
High court struggles with government secrets case
By Jessica Gresko — November 8, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court struggled Monday with whether to allow a lawsuit by Muslim men claiming religious bias by the FBI to go forward despite the government’s objection that doing so could reveal national security secrets. The case the high court was considering involves a group of three men from Southern California. They […]
Pope decries Ethiopia’s humanitarian crisis, urges dialogue
By Associated Press — November 8, 2021
The war in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has killed thousands of people and displaced millions and left many struggling with severe hunger.
Vice President Kamala Harris headlines antisemitism conference
By Yonat Shimron — November 7, 2021
(RNS) — This was Harris’ first appearance at an Anti-Defamation League conference after an event at George Mason University last month in which she appeared to praise a student who accused Israel of committing 'ethnic genocide.'
Poles protest strict abortion law after pregnant woman dies
By Associated Press — November 7, 2021
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Women’s rights activists say doctors in Poland, a heavily Catholic nation, now wait for a fetus with severe defects to die in the womb rather than perform an abortion.
‘Colin loved the church’: Powell recalled as Episcopalian at cathedral funeral
By Adelle M. Banks — November 5, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Colin knew his God through all his years,’ said the Rev. Stuart A. Kenworthy, during his homily at Powell’s funeral.
Jewish groups urge Senate to hold hearing on antisemitism envoy
By Yonat Shimron — November 5, 2021
(RNS) — Biden nominated Deborah Lipstadt to the post of antisemitism envoy in July. But Republican members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said they're examining some of her past tweets.
Photos of the Week: Diwali and Day of the Dead
By Kit Doyle — November 5, 2021
(RNS) - This week’s photo gallery includes Diwali celebrations, Day of the Dead commemorations and more.
Two evangelical seminaries sue to block vaccine mandates, citing religious freedom
By Bob Smietana — November 5, 2021
(RNS) — Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said he has encouraged people to get vaccinated but opposes mandates.
Israeli police protect women’s prayer group from ultra-Orthodox protesters
By Michele Chabin — November 5, 2021
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Until now, Israeli security forces have done the bare minimum to enforce crowd control during the controversial prayer group’s once-a-month services in the women’s section of the Western Wall.
Traditional ‘Side B’ LGBTQ Christians experience a renaissance
By Kathryn Post — November 5, 2021
(RNS) — The largely virtual community sits in a rare liminal space between two sides of a culture war.
