News
At Yiddish Week, a beloved language is as vital as ever
By David I. Klein — August 25, 2021
(RNS) — Attendees include everyone from non-Jews to secular Jews, as well as Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews ranging in age from infants to nearly 90.
How to help Afghans arriving in the US after fleeing the Taliban
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 25, 2021
(RNS) — Here are a few of the faith-based organizations working with Afghans both overseas and arriving in the U.S. and some ways you can help them.
Court upholds death sentence for church shooter Dylann Roof
By Meg Kinnard and Denise Lavoie — August 25, 2021
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld Dylann Roof’s conviction and death sentence for the 2015 racist slayings of nine members of a Black South Carolina congregation, saying the legal record cannot even capture the “full horror” of what he did. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of […]
Shia LaBeouf finds ‘something way bigger than myself’ as he preps for Padre Pio biopic
By Claire Giangravé — August 25, 2021
(RNS) — Capuchin friars shared their lifestyle with actor Shia LaBeouf to help him portray St. Padre Pio accurately.
Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandates vaccine for clergy
By Kathryn Post — August 25, 2021
(RNS) — Bishop Thomas J. Brown’s decision is one of the first vaccine mandates for clergy in the U.S.
Jewish prayers held discreetly at contested Jerusalem shrine
By Ilan Ben Zion — August 25, 2021
(RNS) — “What is happening is a blatant and dangerous violation of the status quo,” said Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, a top official with the Waqf, the Jordanian-backed Islamic trust that administers the site. “The Israeli police must stop providing protection to extremists.”
New podcast finds ‘work-life-faith balance’ for modern Muslim parents
By Joseph Hammond — August 24, 2021
(RNS) — Unlike in other parenting podcasts, ‘discipline’ is as likely to mean spiritual accountability as toddler timeouts.
Pope Francis sends financial aid to Haiti, Bangladesh and Vietnam
By Claire Giangravé — August 24, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Church officials also appealed to political leaders ‘to act according to conscience,’ in addressing the plight of Afghan refugees.
Thomas McKenzie, Nashville Anglican pastor, and eldest child killed in car crash
By Bob Smietana — August 23, 2021
(RNS) — The Rev. Thomas McKenzie was on his first day of sabbatical, taking his 22-year-old to college in New Mexico.
Tom Flynn, Free Inquiry editor, author and secular humanist leader, dies at 66
By Bob Smietana — August 23, 2021
(RNS) — A prolific writer, Flynn was known for his passion for big ideas and his sense of humor.
Proud Boys leader sentenced to five months for burning church banner
By Jack Jenkins — August 23, 2021
(RNS) — Superior Court Judge Harold Cushenberry Jr. sentenced Tarrio to 155 days in jail after concluding that he ‘did not credibly express genuine remorse.’
Nadia Bolz-Weber installed as ELCA’s first pastor of public witness
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 23, 2021
(RNS) — 'We are acknowledging that Nadia has a ministry that goes far beyond the walls of any one church,' the installing bishop told RNS.
‘Our work changed really overnight’: Community groups aid SIV hopefuls awaiting evacuation
By Renée Roden — August 23, 2021
(RNS) — Community sponsor programs and resettlement programs rush to help Afghans overcome the bureaucratic barriers to obtaining SIVs.
Haitians return to quake-damaged churches, gangs offer aid
By Evens Sanon and Marko Alvarez — August 23, 2021
LES CAYES, Haiti (AP) — Haitians resumed services in or outside damaged churches on Sunday. The country's Civil Protection Agency also raised toll of dead to 2,207.
With black flags, Sri Lanka Christians protest bombing probe
By Associated Press — August 23, 2021
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s Christian community hoisted black flags on Saturday to protest the investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks, which killed 269 people.
