News
Muslims and Catholics in Orange County to unite for Eid al-Fitr prayers
By Alejandra Molina — May 12, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — In the spirit of interfaith solidarity, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church is offering its campus to host Eid prayers for the Islamic Center of Fullerton, a growing congregation that operates out of a small office space.
Faced with opposition from the Vatican, prominent Catholics opt for disobedience
By Claire Giangravé — May 12, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — ‘I was appalled,’ said the former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, ‘appalled by the very idea a Vatican document would say a gay couple is not capable of either receiving or expressing God’s grace.’
Suit: Workers lured from India paid $1.20 per hour for years
By David Porter and Mallika Sen — May 12, 2021
(AP) — A lawsuit accuses the leaders of the Hindu organization known as Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, of human trafficking and wage law violations.
Meet Kashmir’s ‘Midnight Drummers,’ keeping alive an age-old Ramadan tradition
By Majid Maqbool — May 12, 2021
SRINAGAR, Kashmir (RNS) — Locally known as Sahar Khawan, the drummers walk miles in the pre-dawn hours of Ramadan mornings, beating their drums and announcing Sehri time for observing Muslims.
Liz Cheney, ousted from party leadership, invokes pope and the ‘power of faith’
By Jack Jenkins — May 12, 2021
(RNS) — U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney made appeals to public and personal faith in trying to forestall her removal from House leadership.
Photos of the Week: Holy Fire; Orthodox Easter
By Kit Doyle — May 12, 2021
(RNS) — This week’s photo selection includes Orthodox Easter, Holy Fire, nearing the end of Ramadan and more.
First ELCA transgender bishop, Megan Rohrer, hopes to ‘translate good news’ for the curious
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 11, 2021
(RNS) — That’s been the focus of Rohrer’s ministry, first as the executive director of a nonprofit serving the homeless and hungry in San Francisco and now as bishop-elect of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA.
16 Jehovah’s Witnesses released from prison in Turkmenistan during Ramadan
By Adelle M. Banks — May 11, 2021
(RNS) — ‘These young men are excited to return home and once again help support their families and local communities,’ said a spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
With new ministry of catechist, Pope Francis widens role for lay Catholics
By Claire Giangravé — May 11, 2021
(RNS) — The latest motu proprio signals a continued, albeit timid, effort to answer a growing demand for agency from rank-and-file Catholics.
In India, Hindus fast in Ramadan for growth and solidarity with Muslim friends
By Bhavya Dore — May 11, 2021
MUMBAI (RNS) — 'It disciplines your body, makes you introspect and helps you build a habit,' said one Hindu who participates in Ramadan's fasting and reflection.
Study: Young Jews are moving to polar ends — secularism and Orthodoxy
By Yonat Shimron — May 11, 2021
(RNS) — By contrast, the number of Jews identifying as Reform and Conservative — the two largest branches of Jewish denominational life — has remained flat.
Saddleback ordains 3 women, leading to another Mother’s Day dust-up over women pastors
By Bob Smietana — May 10, 2021
(RNS) — The two largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention featured women preachers on Mother's Day, despite the convention's ban on women pastors.
Vatican cautions bishops on denying Communion to politicians who back abortion
By Jack Jenkins — May 10, 2021
(RNS) — The cleric argued it is 'misleading' to suggest abortion and euthanasia are 'the only grave matters of Catholic moral and social teaching that demand the fullest level of accountability on the part of Catholics.'
With Pope Francis’ blessing, Catholics pressed Biden White House to waive vaccine patents
By Claire Giangravé and Jack Jenkins — May 10, 2021
(RNS) — 'Pope Francis is very involved,' said the Rev. Augusto Zampini, one of the directors of the Vatican’s COVID-19 Commission.
17 psychological groups call for greater protections of LGBTQ students at religious schools
By Yonat Shimron — May 10, 2021
(RNS) — The statement comes in response to a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 33 students or former students of federally funded Christian colleges and universities that allege widespread discrimination against LGBTQ students.
