News
At online symposium, Pope Francis says religions can eradicate sexual abuse together
By Claire Giangravé — April 13, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After decades of child sexual abuse scandals, the Catholic Church is ready to share its successes — and failures — with other religious and lay institutions.
Planned Parenthood announces new clergy advocacy board members, many from red states
By Jack Jenkins — April 13, 2021
(RNS) — 'As a clergyperson who discovered my call to ministry within a Planned Parenthood, it was a no-brainer,' said the Rev. Katey Zeh, who heads the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
As policies shift, Protestants and other faith groups join Catholics in helping immigrants at the border
By Jack Jenkins and Alejandra Molina — April 13, 2021
(RNS) — As the number of arrivals increases, Catholic groups are often relying on an array of faith-based ecumenical partners to handle the influx of people hoping to cross the border.
Marketing ploy or sacred art? Bible publishers appeal to millennials with focus on design
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 13, 2021
(RNS) — In the last decade, independent projects like Bibliotheca have brought an eye for design to the Bible — and shown big Bible publishers there’s a market for it.
Muslims open Ramadan with social distanced prayers, vaccines
By Niniek Karmini — April 13, 2021
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — COVID-19 cases are spiking in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, but vaccines are being administered and the government is loosening restrictions.
Julian Edelman, the first Jewish football player named Super Bowl MVP, retires
By Bob Smietana — April 12, 2021
(RNS) — Edelman, whose parents didn’t practice any religion when he was growing up, embraced his Jewish identity during his NFL career.
Trial date set in sexual abuse case against La Luz del Mundo leader Naasón Joaquín García
By Alejandra Molina — April 12, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A Superior Court judge ordered the trial date for García to begin Sept. 27, according to the California attorney general’s office and a statement from La Luz del Mundo.
Italian prosecutors request arrest warrant for Italian financier named in Vatican scandals
By Claire Giangravé — April 12, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Torzi’s legal team claimed to be 'perplexed' with Italian prosecutors' request for an arrest warrant, given that the Vatican's similar allegations were 'demolished' by a British judge only last month.
For interfaith couples, Ramadan can deepen ties to faith and each other
By Silma Suba — April 12, 2021
(Interfaith America) — Ramadan can be an opportunity for Muslims in interfaith relationships to introduce their partners to the core beliefs and teachings of Islam.
Huge gatherings at India’s Hindu festival as virus surges
By Neha Mehrotra and Sheikh Saaliq — April 12, 2021
NEW DELHI (AP) — The Kumbh Mela, or pitcher festival, is one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism.
Hillsong to ‘pause’ operations at Dallas campus, citing leadership failures
By Roxanne Stone — April 11, 2021
(RNS) — New revelations about the former Dallas pastors as well as pandemic woes have led the global behemoth to announce a shuttering of the Dallas location for now.
High court halts Calif. virus rules limiting home worship
By Jessica Gresko — April 10, 2021
(AP) — In November, the high court barred New York from enforcing certain limits on attendance at churches and synagogues in areas designated as hard-hit by the virus.
Islamic leaders battle misconception about vaccines, fasting
By Mariam Fam and David Sharp — April 10, 2021
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Islamic leaders are using social media, virtual town halls and face-to-face discussions to spread the word that it's acceptable to be vaccinated for the coronavirus during Ramadan.
Photos of the Week: Easter, Holocaust Remembrance
By Jessi Dodge — April 9, 2021
(RNS) — Each week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo selection includes Easter, Ramadan preparations and more.
Martin Luther King III calls new voting legislation ‘greatest hypocrisy’
By Adelle M. Banks — April 9, 2021
(RNS) — ‘People came out and voted in every mechanism, and they want to stop people from voting,’ said the son of the civil rights leader. ‘That's unconscionable.’
