News
AME Church historical documentary features Mother Emanuel pastor Clementa Pinckney
By Adelle M. Banks — April 29, 2021
(RNS) — The AME Church is highlighting the documentary along with another about the history of its major quadrennial meetings, as producers work on a third film.
Another Hillsong East Coast pastor resigns, this time over revealing Instagram selfies
By Roxanne Stone — April 29, 2021
NEW YORK (RNS) — The New Jersey pastor sent explicit photos on Instagram stories to his ‘close friends,’ but also included a 30-year-old woman who used to volunteer for him at the church.
The beloved church coffee hour may soon return as COVID-19 fades
By Bob Smietana — April 29, 2021
(RNS) — The first time coffee showed up in church, things did not go well. Now it's a staple that many churches have missed during the pandemic.
‘We need a place to serve’: As India’s COVID-19 cases spiral, faith groups step up
By Bhavya Dore — April 29, 2021
(RNS) — In the grip of a deadly second wave of COVID-19, religious charities and faith-based organizations are among the many civil society groups that have stepped up to mobilize COVID relief efforts.
Pope Francis’ new decree demands financial transparency from Vatican managers
By Claire Giangravé — April 29, 2021
(RNS) — The new decree would make it more difficult for Vatican personnel to engage in transactions such as the $200 million London real estate deal that caused the downfall of a prominent cardinal.
Vatican’s revamped Center for Child Protection will attack ‘systemic’ abuse in the church
By Claire Giangravé — April 28, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — On Sept. 1, the Center for Child Protection at the Gregorian University in Rome will become the Institute of Anthropology, Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care.
For California Muslims: A Ramadan approaching normal
By Joseph Hammond — April 28, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California could not enforce restrictions on at-home indoor religious gatherings. The 5-4 ruling, coming on the eve of Ramadan, has been a boon to California Muslims.
Why some preachers rely on holy ghostwriters and other pulpit helps
By Bob Smietana — April 28, 2021
(RNS) — To keep up with the demand for high-quality sermons, preachers often turn to ghostwriters and researchers, without telling their congregation. At least one expert calls that ‘cheating.’
US Catholic bishops may press Biden to stop taking Communion
By David Crary — April 28, 2021
(AP) — At issue is a document coming from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Doctrine clarifying the church’s stance on an issue that has repeatedly vexed the bishops.
‘Beautiful’ Ramadan returns for Israeli Muslims as restrictions lift
By Michele Chabin — April 28, 2021
(RNS) — Last year, Israel was under a strict lockdown to thwart the spread of COVID-19. Worshippers were forbidden to pray at mosques, synagogues and churches, even during Ramadan, Passover and Easter.
Despite multiracial congregation boom, some Black congregants report prejudice
By Adelle M. Banks — April 28, 2021
(RNS) — A third of Black Christians say it is hard to gain leadership positions in a multiracial congregation, a new report says.
At Orange County mosques, they come for the halal tacos and stay for the vaccination
By Alejandra Molina — April 28, 2021
(RNS) — Activists working on Latino & Muslim unity are holding vaccination events at Islamic centers where Muslims can break their Ramadan fast while feasting on halal tacos.
Francis Collins urges evangelicals: ‘Love your neighbor,’ get COVID-19 vaccine
By Adelle M. Banks — April 27, 2021
(RNS) — ‘It was an answer, even beyond what I had almost dared to pray for,’ the National Institutes of Health director said of vaccine efficacy.
For evangelical leader Jamie Aten, advocating for vaccines led to a death threat
By Bob Smietana — April 27, 2021
(RNS) — Aten, who teaches at an evangelical college, has received swarms of angry anti-vaxxer emails — including one saying his work was ‘punishable by death.’
Attackers shoot Italian bishop-elect in his home in South Sudan
By Claire Giangravé and Fredrick Nzwili — April 27, 2021
(RNS) — Some have suggested that the attack may have been a warning for the Catholic Church to keep out of the political disputes in South Sudan.