News
Aid worker’s father appeals to Pope Francis to gain his son’s release from Israel
By Daoud Kuttab — June 29, 2021
(RNS) — ‘A father knows deep down whether his son is innocent or guilty,’ said Khalil al Halabi.
Colorado memorial draws religious freedom concerns
By Joseph Hammond — June 29, 2021
(RNS) — Organizations ranging from the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation have called for removal of the monument, which includes a reference to Jesus Christ.
‘Snapping out’ of a cult and sharing her healing with others
By Tracy Simmons — June 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since finding her way out, a cult survivor has a fierce drive to share her story and help other cult survivors share theirs.
Amish put faith in God’s will and herd immunity over vaccine
By John Seewer — June 29, 2021
(AP) — The vaccination drive is lagging far behind in many Amish communities across the U.S. following a wave of virus outbreaks that swept through their churches and homes during the past year.
Evangelical Covenant Church joins list of Protestant denominations rebuking Doctrine of Discovery
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 29, 2021
(RNS) — While the Evangelical Covenant Church has been working on its resolution for the past five years, its action came the day after the Cowessess First Nation announced it had found indications of at least 751 unmarked graves near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.
A devastated Jewish community in Surfside, Florida, begins burying its dead
By Yonat Shimron — June 28, 2021
(RNS) — At least 50 of the total trapped in the collapse of the Champlain condo are likely Jewish, many of them Orthodox Jews who attended The Shul, a large Chabad congregation in Surfside.
Friends, family describe missing in Florida condo collapse
By The Associated Press — June 28, 2021
SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) — The building was home to an international mix of foreign retirees, South American immigrants and Orthodox Jews, all with anxious loved ones across the globe.
As Southern Baptists begin to grapple with sexual abuse, looming challenges remain
By Yonat Shimron and Bob Smietana — June 28, 2021
(RNS) — One week after the convention closed, an advocate for sex abuse survivors posted to a blog that a registered sex offender has been preaching at a Dallas Southern Baptist church.
‘Denomination matters’ in Black-focused faith-based health programs, scholars say
By Adelle M. Banks — June 28, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Faith-based health initiatives need to appropriately integrate the faith practices and norms of Black church members with denomination in mind,’ Duke scholars say.
Pope Francis and Blinken discuss climate change, China at the Vatican
By Claire Giangravé — June 28, 2021
(RNS) — Pope Francis and the US secretary of state discussed a wide range of topics at the Vatican but made no mention of the Communion ban proposed by some US bishops.
Vatican probes alleged abuse negligence by Polish cardinal
By Associated Press — June 28, 2021
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Vatican has been investigating reports, also in the Polish media, of alleged lack of reaction by some of Poland's Roman Catholic Church figures to reports of abuse of minors.
Transgender rights, religion among cases justices could add
By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko — June 28, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — This month, the court has already issued big decisions on health care and religious freedom. And next term, the high court has agreed to take on cases about abortion and guns.
AP-NORC poll: Most say restrict abortion after 1st trimester
By David Crary and Hannah Fingerhut — June 28, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — Still, the poll finds many Americans believe the procedure should be allowable under at least some circumstances even during the second or third trimesters.
For some US Muslims, raw talk on suicide, mental health
By Mariam Fam — June 28, 2021
(AP) — Mental health professionals are working alongside faith leaders and activists to raise awareness in Muslim communities about suicide prevention and mental health and provide religiously and culturally sensitive guidance.
Pope sends letter praising priest who ministers to LGBTQ Catholics
By Jack Jenkins — June 27, 2021
(RNS) — Francis described Martin’s work, which has centered on LGBTQ Catholics, as 'continually seeking to imitate this style of God.'
