News
Homeboy Industries takes ‘quantum leap’ in wake of funding bonanza
By Alejandra Molina — August 16, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The nonprofit founded by Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle has received a $20 million gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and $15 million in funding from the state of California.
Back-to-school time influences congregations’ decisions on masking and meeting
By Adelle M. Banks — August 16, 2021
(RNS) — ‘We're just trying to thread the needle and try to keep kids safe, trying to keep them mostly in outdoor environments and trying to keep them connected,' said one pastor.
Cardinal Burke is placed on ventilator days after testing positive for COVID-19
By Claire Giangravé — August 15, 2021
(RNS) — The conservative cardinal, a vaccine skeptic, announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 10.
Photos of the Week: Hindu wrestlers; Italian heatwave
By Kit Doyle — August 13, 2021
(RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes Hindu wrestlers, Italian heatwave and more.
Christian school drops ‘Freedom Matters’ event with COVID-denier Greg Locke
By Bob Smietana — August 13, 2021
(RNS) — Union University canceled the event after students objected.
Hate watch groups voice alarm about Sean Feucht’s Portland security volunteers
By Alejandra Molina — August 13, 2021
(RNS) — ‘If you mess with them or our 1st amendment right to worship God - you’ll meet Jesus one way or another,’ Feucht said when he tweeted a photo of his security team.
California Catholic bishop tells priests to decline vaccine exemption requests
By Alejandra Molina — August 13, 2021
(RNS) — San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy said Catholic social teaching doesn't justify a religious exemption to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Death-row inmate sues for pastor’s touch during execution
By Associated Press — August 13, 2021
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A Texas death-row inmate has sued state prison officials to allow his pastor to lay hands on him as he dies from a lethal injection.
NY let childhood sex abuse victims sue; 9,000 went to court
By Michael Hill — August 13, 2021
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — For two years, New York temporarily set aside its usual time limit on civil lawsuits in order to allow victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue churches, hospitals, schools, camps, scout groups and other institutions and people they hold responsible for enabling pedophiles or turning a blind eye to wrongdoing. That […]
She wanted to help Ravi Zacharias save the world but ended up defending an abuser
By Bob Smietana — August 13, 2021
(RNS) — Longtime RZIM spokesperson Ruth Malhotra was fired last month, after being told her colleagues felt unsafe around her. Malhotra has accused RZIM’s leaders of covering up abuse by the organization’s founder, the late Ravi Zacharias.
Faith leaders and Texas Democrats march to US Capitol to demand voting protections
By Renée Roden — August 12, 2021
(RNS) — The group’s members signed letters with their demands and processed to the Capitol to hand-deliver them.
Study: Jews of color love Judaism but often experience racism in Jewish settings
By Yonat Shimron — August 12, 2021
(RNS) — The study was intended to foreground the racial diversity of American Jews, a group long assumed to be overwhelmingly white, and to give voice to the experiences of Jews of other races.
Film series ‘The Chosen’ explores its Catholic side in the Eternal City
By Claire Giangravé — August 12, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — ‘Meeting the pope was essentially having a childhood dream be realized,’ said Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the popular show.
In a Maoist-impacted region of India, an Indigenous activist continues to fight in memory of the children she couldn’t save
By Priyadarshini Sen — August 12, 2021
DELHI, India (RNS) — ‘In this land of fire and gunshots we have to keep fighting this ideological war against state repression and Maoist violence,’ said Indigenous activist Soni Sori.
Study: Gen Z doubles down on spirituality, combining tarot and traditional faith
By Heather Greene — August 11, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Crystals are like ‘saints’ for young people and spirituals,’ wrote a survey respondent. ‘Sometimes you just need something or someone that is rooted in courage.’
