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Mike Bickle, leader of IHOP movement, accused of sexual abuse
By Bob Smietana — October 29, 2023
(RNS) — Former IHOP leaders say several women have credibly accused Bickle of clergy sexual abuse. Leaders of the Kansas City-based prayer group say they are aware of the allegations.
Papal critic praises dubia by conservative prelates as ‘heroic act’
By Claire Giangravé — October 27, 2023
(RNS) — Bishop Athanasius Schneider said that Francis’ answers to questions posed by prelates 'were confusing and sought to confuse.'
US Jews fracture over support for Israeli retaliation
By Yonat Shimron and Jack Jenkins — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — Pro-Israel groups have denounced left-leaning Jews, accusing them of being antisemitic and not really Jewish.
In Kenya, married ex-priests follow Vatican synod’s discussion of clerical celibacy
By Fredrick Nzwili — October 25, 2023
(RNS) — Former Catholic priests are hoping the prelates gathered for the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican will do away with the ban on marriage for clergy, allowing them to reunite with the church.
In the Hindu diaspora, dancers and feminists celebrate the modern cultural significance of Navaratri
By Richa Karmarkar — October 24, 2023
(RNS) — Throughout the United States, South Asian Americans young and old have come out to dance garba, the folk dance that began as a devotional form of worship and has now become a cultural phenomenon for Hindus and non-Hindus alike.
Archbishop Welby, patriarchs of Jerusalem urge ceasefire, condemn church bombing
By Catherine Pepinster — October 23, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop Welby spent several days in Jerusalem last week following the attack on Israelis by Hamas on Oct. 7 and the ensuing assaults on Gaza by Israeli forces.
Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released
By Samya Kullab, Joseph Krauss, and Najib Jobain — October 21, 2023
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The release comes amid growing expectations of a ground offensive that Israel says is aimed at rooting out Hamas militants who rule Gaza
Archbishop of Canterbury, in Jerusalem, to meet with Christians and Jewish leaders
By Catherine Pepinster — October 20, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Speculation is growing that Welby, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church might jointly issue a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Islamic Relief, other charities call for cease-fire to allow aid to reach Gaza
By Bob Smietana — October 19, 2023
(RNS) — Aid groups are doing what they can but worry that time is running out to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Palestinian Americans decry demonization in media amid rising fear of hate crimes
By Kathryn Post and Roxanne Stone — October 18, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This is reminding me a bit of how it felt post-9/11,’ Palestinian activist and policy analyst Laila El-Haddad told Religion News Service.
Global church heads join Canterbury in mourning ‘appalling’ loss after Anglican hospital hit in Gaza
By Catherine Pepinster — October 17, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke as news emerged of a deadly rocket attack on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Why Hamas is selling its assault on Israel as a holy war
By Michele Chabin and Yonat Shimron — October 17, 2023
(RNS) — The reference to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, was a rallying cry to unite Muslims everywhere.
Vatican seeks to defuse tensions with Israel as it offers mediation in the Holy Land
By Claire Giangravé — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — The Israeli foreign minister asked for ‘an unequivocal and clear condemnation’ of Hamas by the Holy See.
Wracked by grief, US Jews gather to mourn, lament and raise money for Israel
By Yonat Shimron — October 12, 2023
(RNS) — Many American Jews are feeling an acute sense of trauma.
Synod on Synodality finds its voice after Pope Francis enforces silence
By Claire Giangravé — October 11, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis said ‘the church is taking a break’ to turn its gaze inward.
