People

Tammy Faye, a double whammy of Christian love, wins in the end

By Leah Payne — September 17, 2021

(RNS) — A new film captures her interior world but doesn’t fully explain her ingenuity and power.

Pastoral as well as radical, Bishop Spong gave priests ‘room to exist’

By Cynthia Black — September 15, 2021

Korean pastor David Yonggi Cho, founder of one of the world’s largest churches, has died

By Bob Smietana — September 14, 2021

Evangelical Lutheran church installs 1st transgender bishop

By Associated Press — September 13, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Rev. Megan Rohrer will lead one of the church’s 65 synods, overseeing nearly 200 congregations in Northern California and northern Nevada.

Beth Moore and Russell Moore share laughter, regrets at Nashville church

By Bob Smietana — September 10, 2021

NASHVILLE (RNS) — At a Nashville church, the former Southern Baptist leaders spoke about leaving the SBC and keeping the faith.

An American Jew turned Hindu holy woman tells her story

By Yonat Shimron — September 9, 2021

(RNS) — Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati quit her Ph.D. program, divorced her husband, moved to India and became a Hindu renunciate. In her new memoir she reveals a past life of sex abuse and bulimia.

‘I never thought it would be a campaign’: Muslim artist’s work builds bridges in Pittsburgh

By Kathryn Post — September 7, 2021

PITTSBURGH (RNS) — Ebtehal Badawi’s painting has been used to promote racial and religious unity across the city.

‘A burden of beauty’: Five religious artisans on finding inspiration in faith

By Renée Roden — September 7, 2021

(RNS) — Forbidden images, illuminated manuscripts and even maps testify to the creativity humans bring to the project of making the transcendent tangible.

Admirers still urging sainthood for chaplain killed on 9/11

By David Crary — September 6, 2021

(AP) — Mychal Judge, a Catholic chaplain with New York’s fire department, left a uniquely complex legacy that continues to evolve 20 years after his death.

Vatican exonerates Brooklyn bishop accused of sexual abuse

By Bobby Caina Calvan — September 2, 2021

NEW YORK (AP) — The Vatican has closed its investigation into allegations made separately by two men, who accused the bishop, Nicholas DiMarzio, of abusing them a half-century ago when he was a priest in New Jersey.

Mississippi governor: Christians are ‘less scared’ of COVID

By Emily Wagster Pettus — August 31, 2021

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Republican governor Tate Reeves said he believes Christians are ‘a little less scared’ of COVID-19 because of their belief in eternal life.

Pope replaces Australian bishop in alleged misconduct probe

By Associated Press — August 30, 2021

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday replaced an Australian bishop who stepped down amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

‘I kept putting God in too small of a box’: Five clergy on their unexpected callings

By Renée Roden — August 26, 2021

(RNS) — For some, following a call to minister has meant going to the margins.

Thomas McKenzie, Nashville Anglican pastor, and eldest child killed in car crash

By Bob Smietana — August 23, 2021

(RNS) — The Rev. Thomas McKenzie was on his first day of sabbatical, taking his 22-year-old to college in New Mexico.

Tom Flynn, Free Inquiry editor, author and secular humanist leader, dies at 66