News
Vatican to publish document on gender, surrogacy and human dignity next week
By Nicole Winfield — April 2, 2024
ROME (AP) — Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the new prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, will hold his first news conference to present the document “Infinite Dignity, on human dignity,” on April 8, the Vatican announced Tuesday.
Polygamous sect leader pleads guilty in scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children
By Jacques Billeaud — April 2, 2024
PHOENIX (AP) — In pleading guilty, Bateman, 48, acknowledged taking underage brides, having sex activity with them and arranging group sex, sometimes involving child brides
Mosques in NYC struggle to house and feed an influx of Muslim migrants this Ramadan
By Philip Marcelo — April 2, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — Islamic institutions in the Big Apple are struggling to keep up with the needs of the city's migrant population as an increasing number of asylum seekers come from Muslim-majority African countries.
Calvin University board stands by its decision that former president had to go
By Bob Smietana — April 1, 2024
(RNS) — A group of Calvin alumni have reportedly asked the board of trustees for a third-party investigation into the board’s handling of the allegations against Boer.
New York’s governor is hiring her first Muslim Affairs director
By Fiona André — April 1, 2024
NEW YORK (RNS) — Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Governor Hochul's relations with the state's Muslim community have been strained.
Greg Locke says Easter Bible burning a sign that Christianity is under attack in America
By Bob Smietana — April 1, 2024
(RNS) — The sheriff is investigating the burning of 200 Bibles in a trailer outside Locke's church on Easter Sunday.
Ships with a second round of aid for Gaza have departed Cyprus as concerns about hunger soar
By Associated Press — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The United Nations and partners have warned that famine could occur in devastated, largely isolated northern Gaza as early as this month.
LGBTQ-inclusive church in Cuba welcomes all in a country that once sent gay people to labor camps
By Luis Andres Henao — April 1, 2024
MATANZAS, Cuba (AP) — Cuba repressed gay people after its 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and sent many to labor camps. But in recent years, the communist-run island barred anti-gay discrimination.
Some state lawmakers want school chaplains as part of a ‘rescue mission’ for public education
By Hannah Fingerhut — April 1, 2024
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Many chaplains and interfaith organizations oppose the chaplaincy campaign, calling the motivation offensive and describing the dangers of introducing a position of authority to children without clear standards or boundaries.
A year after deadly Nashville shooting, Christian school relies on faith — and adopted dogs
By Travis Loller — April 1, 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Now, as the school faces the first anniversary of the tragedy and moves back into the building where it happened, chaplain Matthew Sullivan says one positive aspect of the past year has been the bond that has grown between families.
In crime-stricken Haiti, Catholic priests and nuns are targeted as kidnap victims
By Eduardo Campos Lima — April 1, 2024
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Kidnappings by criminal gangs have continued to terrorize the country's residents, not least Catholic priests and other missionaries. In 2024 alone, at least 14 priests and religious brothers and sisters were abducted.
Israel’s high court says the government must stop funding seminaries. Could that topple Netanyahu?
By Julia Frankel — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13% of Israeli society, have traditionally received exemptions while studying full time in religious seminaries, or yeshivas.
Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu
By Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, and And Samy Magdy — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack.
The Trump camp and the White House clash over Biden’s recognition of ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’
By Josh Boak — March 31, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — In 2024, the March 31 designation overlaps with Easter, Christianity's holiest day. Trump's campaign accused Biden, a Roman Catholic, of being insensitive to religion, and fellow Republicans piled on.
Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
By Nicole Winfield — March 31, 2024
ROME (AP) — Francis appeared in good form, despite having celebrated the 2½-hour nighttime Easter Vigil just hours before. The pontiff, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling respiratory problems all winter.
