News
AME Zion leader Staccato Powell removed as bishop after facing financial accusations
By Adelle M. Banks — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — ‘The Trial Committee recommended Bishop Staccato Powell be disrobed, meaning Bishop Staccato Powell would no longer be recognized as consecrated to the office of Bishop,’ read trial minutes.
State finds LA public school district kept millions of federal funds from Catholic schools
By Alejandra Molina — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — Los Angeles Unified School District ‘has failed to provide equitable services to (archdiocesan) schools,’ state officials said in the report.
Sikh American soldiers continue to campaign for right to wear beard, turban
By Joseph Hammond — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — A memorial ceremony for a Sikh soldier on Thursday (July 29) at Arlington brings to the fore again the unequal religious accommodations extended to Sikhs across the military.
Three Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to six or more years in Russian prison for their faith
By Kathryn Post — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since 2017, 14 Jehovah’s Witnesses have been sentenced to six or more years of prison in Russia, where they are considered an extremist group.
Pope Francis’ September visit to Slovakia is met with excitement despite COVID-19 concerns
By Claire Giangravé — July 29, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Only vaccinated people will be able to attend events during Pope Francis’ visit to the European country, which has among the lowest vaccination rates in the European Union.
Ex-Cardinal McCarrick charged with sexually assaulting teen
By Associated Press and Alanna Durkin Richer — July 29, 2021
BOSTON (AP) — Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy during a wedding reception in the 1970s.
NXIVM sex cult member who cooperated avoids prison time
By Associated Press — July 29, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — A former member of NXIVM leader Keith Raniere’s inner circle avoided prison at sentencing Wednesday after prosecutors cited her extraordinary cooperation.
Report: US Supreme Court favors religion in emergency reviews
By Yonat Shimron — July 28, 2021
(RNS) — The analysis by Reuters found that the Court's shadow docket' in which emergency applications are decided hurriedly, provided religious applicants a win in every case.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church celebrates paid-off debts at major meeting
By Adelle M. Banks — July 28, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Livingstone College, Hood seminary, and Clinton College — debts have all been satisfied,’ announced AME Zion Bishop George Edward Battle Jr.
In 2010, the US apologized to Native Americans. A new spiritual movement aims to recognize it.
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 28, 2021
(RNS) — Others feel the apology is inadequate and should not be accepted by Native Americans.
Judge orders forfeiture of ancient tablet from Museum of the Bible
By Renée Roden — July 28, 2021
(RNS) — A federal judge ordered Hobby Lobby to forfeit a rare fragment of the Epic of Gilgamesh to the United States government.
As Muslim Advocates founder resigns, former staffers allege hostile workplace
By Aysha Khan — July 28, 2021
(RNS) — A group of former Muslim Advocates workers has come forward with allegations of workplace harassment and abuse by the civil rights organization's former management.
Survey: Vaccine hesitancy declines among faith groups, spurred partly by religious appeals
By Jack Jenkins — July 28, 2021
(RNS) — Rates of vaccine refusal remained constant or even increased in some groups, however.
Study: Only half of American households donate to charity
By Haleluya Hadero — July 28, 2021
(AP) — Donations to charitable causes are reaching record highs, but the giving is done by a smaller and smaller slice of the population.
German woman indicted over her time with IS in Syria
By Associated Press — July 28, 2021
BERLIN (AP) — The indictment of Leonora M., is the latest in a string of cases in Germany involving women who went to the area held by IS and were involved in holding women captured by the extremist group as slaves.
