Religion HubThe Religion Hub is a feature of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative – a collaborative effort of Religion News Service, the Associated Press and The Conversation US. Made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Muslim leaders reject chance to break bread with Biden as anger over Gaza festers
By Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller — April 3, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats fear that Biden's loss of support among Muslims could help clear a path for his Republican predecessor to return to the White House.
Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI’s aide
By Nicole Winfield — April 3, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis's frail health has raised questions about how much longer he will remain pope, whether he might follow in Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign.
New York inmates are suing to watch the solar eclipse after state orders prisons locked down
By Philip Marcelo — April 3, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — The suit filed Friday in federal court in upstate New York argues that the April 8 lockdown violates inmates' constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event.
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.
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.
One year ago, Pope Francis disavowed the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ – but Indigenous Catholics’ work for respect and recognition goes back decades
By Eben Levey — April 1, 2024
(The Conversation) — Indigenous Catholics have long argued they should be able to embrace both sides of that identity.
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.
Easter is March 31 this year. Here’s why many Christians will wake up before sunrise to celebrate
By Holly Meyer — March 29, 2024
(AP) – For the majority of the world’s Christians, Easter Sunday — and in turn, the sunrise service tradition — will be observed on March 31 this year.
