News
Vatican exonerates Brooklyn bishop accused of sexual abuse
By Bobby Caina Calvan — September 2, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — The Vatican has closed its investigation into allegations made separately by two men, who accused the bishop, Nicholas DiMarzio, of abusing them a half-century ago when he was a priest in New Jersey.
More Lord Kingdom hopes to make America godly again, one T-shirt at a time
By Bob Smietana — September 1, 2021
(RNS) — A new clothing company hopes to help Christians look good while sharing their faith and regaining their identity as believers.
Indigenous communities in Louisiana’s Delta overwhelmed by damage from Ida
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 1, 2021
(RNS) — Monique Verdin, a member of the United Houma Nation, is afraid Louisiana’s Indigenous communities will be forgotten as faith-based disaster relief groups and other aid streams to New Orleans.
Staccato Powell, disrobed as AME Zion bishop: pioneer or swindler?
By Adelle M. Banks — September 1, 2021
(RNS) — ‘All we are doing now is trying to save those congregations that are in bankruptcy court,’ said the denomination’s senior bishop.
Jeannie Gaffigan hosts panel urging Catholics to get COVID-19 vaccines
By Renée Roden and Alejandra Molina — September 1, 2021
(RNS) — Gaffigan collaborated with Loyola Marymount University to host a panel on Tuesday (Aug. 31) directed specifically at Catholic audiences and featuring several Catholic medical experts.
Xinjiang genocide conference aims to up pressure on China
By Associated Press — September 1, 2021
LONDON (AP) — Scholars and lawyers are joining politicians and human rights groups to discuss the Chinese government’s alleged genocide against Uyghurs in the northwest Xinjiang region.
Judge blocks Western Michigan’s vaccine mandate for athletes
By David Eggert — September 1, 2021
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The four athletes — Emily Dahl, Hannah Redoute, Bailey Korhorn and Morgan Otteson — said they were denied religious exemptions to play without getting a dose.
Amid resignation rumors, Pope Francis says, ‘It didn’t even cross my mind’
By Claire Giangravé — September 1, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a wide-ranging interview, the pontiff discussed Afghanistan, China and reform of the church, while dismissing rumors that he would be the second pope in eight years to resign.
Faith-based disaster relief groups balance COVID safety with speedy response to Hurricane Ida
By Bob Smietana — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — The surge in COVID-19 rates makes responding to disasters like Ida more complicated.
California, LA County both to pay $400,000 settlement to John MacArthur’s church
By Alejandra Molina — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — This agreement, county officials said, was reached in the context of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in February that told California it couldn’t enforce a ban on indoor worship because of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Kanye West’s ‘Donda,’ faith is the message — or a metaphor
By Jillian Cheney — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — Critics have called the album unfocused and rambling, but fans are raving about the surprise release.
Christian residents of two northern Israeli ghost towns renew bid to go home
By Botrus Mansour — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — With a new coalition government in power in Israel, descendants of the residents of Iqrit and Biram have hopes of rebuilding the towns.
Feds charge ex-priest with child sex crimes in East Timor
By Associated Press — August 31, 2021
(AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a defrocked American priest on charges of having sex with minors while running a children’s shelter in a remote part of East Timor.
First Nations Version translates the New Testament for Native American readers
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — 'We believe it's a gift not only to our Native people, (but) from our Native people to the dominant culture,' said Terry Wildman, the lead translator and project manager of the First Nations Version.
Mormon vaccine push ratchets up, dividing faith’s members
By Sophia Eppolito — August 31, 2021
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — After more than a year of attending church virtually, Monique Allen has struggled to explain to her asthmatic daughter why people from their congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t wear masks. Allen said she has taught her daughter that wearing a mask is Christlike, but […]
