News
California man gets life sentence for fatal synagogue attack
By Elliot Spagat — September 30, 2021
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A 22-year-old white supremacist was denied a chance to address a courtroom before a judge sentenced him Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for bursting into a Southern California synagogue on the last day of Passover in 2019 with a semiautomatic rifle, killing one worshipper and wounding […]
Baltimore argues Catholic group’s rally could bring violence
By Michael Kunzelman — September 30, 2021
A conservative Roman Catholic media outlet seeking to stage a rally during a U.S. bishops’ meeting in Baltimore claims city officials canceled the event because they disapprove of its religious message. The city says the gathering poses a threat to public safety, claiming the fringe group cheered on rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol in […]
Vote over Muslim nominated by Biden stalled by GOP boycott
By Joseph Hammond — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — Republicans have failed to appear at confirmation hearings for a nominee who, if confirmed, would be the highest-ranking Muslim in the administration.
ADL partners with L’Oréal USA to promote Holocaust education in the US
By Nidhi Upadhyaya — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — The new initiative is in response to the increasing instances of antisemitism and discrimination in the country.
Muslim women more likely than men to experience Islamophobia, survey finds
By Alejandra Molina — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — A total of 1,123 Muslims in the US participated in the 2020 survey that was conducted between Oct. 14 and Nov. 2.
National Baptist Convention USA president questions ‘hypocritical’ mandate views
By Adelle M. Banks — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — The leader of the Black denomination preached about the need to ‘confront our faults in this country,’ pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection as an example.
Judge dismisses charges tied to genital mutilation case
By Ed White — September 29, 2021
DETROIT (AP) — A judge dismissed a new batch of charges Tuesday in the government’s investigation of genital mutilation against girls in a Muslim sect, saying prosecutors in Detroit retaliated after major courtroom losses. It’s another blow for the government, which broke new ground in 2017 when it charged a Detroit-area doctor with performing genital […]
Pope Francis encourages young climate activists to build dialogue
By Claire Giangravé — September 29, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis supported youth activists in protecting the environment but encouraged them to build dialogue and relationship.
Brooklyn bishop retires after Vatican clears him of abuse
By Associated Press — September 29, 2021
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Wednesday accepted the resignation of the Catholic bishop of Brooklyn, Nicholas DiMarzio, weeks after a Vatican investigation cleared him of sexual abuse allegations, and appointed a native New Yorker to replace him. DiMarzio is 77, two years beyond the normal retirement age for bishops. Francis accepted his resignation and […]
Peru’s ‘Lord of Miracles’ procession canceled amid pandemic
By Associated Press — September 29, 2021
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s most popular Roman Catholic procession, the Lord of Miracles, has been canceled for the second straight year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the archbishopric of Lima announced Tuesday. The procession venerates a 17th century rendering of Jesus Christ and in the past has attracted more than 100,000 people. It culminates […]
Southern Baptists, at impasse, postpone vote on sex abuse probe for a week
By Yonat Shimron and Bob Smietana — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — At issue is whether the Executive Committee can shield from investigators certain communications it has received from its lawyers.
Advocating for Haitians, faith groups pressure Biden to end Trump-era measure
By Jack Jenkins — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — The faith leaders are targeting a Trump-era measure known as Title 42 that has allowed for mass deportation.
Kirk Franklin rereleases ‘Lean on Me’ with virtual global children’s choir
By Adelle M. Banks — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — ‘You have hundreds of kids that are living in marginalized situations,' Franklin said, 'that this song is giving them an opportunity to have a voice.’
Canada’s First Nations await ‘concrete actions’ as bishops apologize for boarding schools
By John Longhurst — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said that, while she welcomed the bishops' Sept. 24 apology, she will wait to see if the bishops' promises will be kept.
Amid pandemic and personal struggles, Max Lucado finds peace in divine purpose
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — The biblical book of Esther has helped the pastor and bestselling author through his own bout with a breakthrough case of COVID-19 and his recent diagnosis with a serious health condition, called an ascending aortic aneurysm.
