News
Vatican Museums reopen, but visitors decry lack of social distancing
By Claire Giangravé — February 16, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Some visitors likened the art galleries to 'a circle of hell' and condemned the 'unacceptable organizational error' by museum curators.
Can I get an amen? Black Americans’ faith, religious practice detailed in Pew study
By Adelle M. Banks — February 16, 2021
(RNS) — Senior researcher Besheer Mohamed said that for Black American church shoppers, ‘the race of a congregation and the race of leadership would be not that important.’
Celebrating Ash Wednesday in a pandemic? There’s an app for that
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 16, 2021
(RNS) — Catholic prayer and meditation app Hallow also has taken the day's most visible tradition online with an 'AshTag' filter on both Facebook and Instagram.
‘Daughters of Kobani’ tells story of all-women Kurdish combat units who fought IS
By Joseph Hammond — February 16, 2021
(RNS) — 'This was a movement with religious freedom and multiethnic governance with women at the center,' said the book's author, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.
When religion was present — and notably absent — at the impeachment trial
By Jack Jenkins — February 15, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — At one point, Rep. Madeleine Dean led her fellow Democratic House managers in a prayer: 'May God grant success to the work of our hands.'
‘The Deconstructionists Playbook’ outlines ways forward for questioning Christians
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 15, 2021
(RNS) — Our Bible App launched a Kickstarter campaign earlier this month to raise money to create a devotional book for not only deconstructing faith but also reconstructing and 'liberating' it.
California legislator wants religious services deemed essential during state of emergency
By Alejandra Molina — February 15, 2021
(RNS) — Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican in San Diego County, introduced a piece of legislation on Friday (Feb. 12) that would allow a religious organization to file a claim for relief if it has been subjected to 'government overreach.'
Dream of 3 faiths worshipping in one building meets reality in Berlin
By Ken Chitwood — February 15, 2021
(RNS) — Its designers and leaders hope it will be used by Jewish, Christian and Muslim members as a place to pray, worship, gather and, perhaps above all, host a dialogue among their respective religions and with society at large.
Marriage & divorce amid pandemic: Couples’ challenges abound
By David Crary — February 15, 2021
(AP) — When it comes to marrying, divorcing and having kids, people have become more cautious amid the pandemic.
Buddhist temple food pantry a lifeline for Nepalese students
By Luis Andres Henao and Jessie Wardarski — February 15, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — The United Sherpa Association launched the food program from scratch last April as the coronavirus was ravaging the borough and other parts of the city.
Urban Ministries’ Melvin Banks, who highlighted Black experience in Bible, dies at 86
By Urban Faith — February 15, 2021
(Urban Faith) — Banks revolutionized Bible study by portraying positive images of African Americans in the biblical experience.
France fights hold of Islamist radicals with dragnets, laws
By Elaine Ganley — February 15, 2021
(RNS) — The proposed legislation is intended to re-anchor secularism in a France where Muslims are increasingly visible and Islam is gaining a stronger voice.
Biden signs executive order reestablishing White House faith office
By Jack Jenkins and Adelle M. Banks — February 14, 2021
(RNS) — The order reappoints Melissa Rogers, who headed the office under President Barack Obama.
New pastors announced to replace Carl Lentz at Hillsong East Coast
By Roxanne Stone — February 13, 2021
(RNS) — Chrishan and Danielle Jeyaratnam, currently pastors at the Hillsong campus in Perth, Australia, have been named to the top spots at the embattled New York location.
John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church postpones event after health officials balk
By Alejandra Molina — February 13, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The Shepherds' Conference, scheduled March 3-5, typically draws men from as far away as Florida and Pennsylvania.
