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Israeli rabbinate under scrutiny as religious issues threaten government’s wartime unity
By David I. Klein — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — A complaint against the rabbinate's control of who is deemed Jewish comes as cracks are beginning to show in the sense of unity fostered by Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.
Sen. Schumer called for Israel’s new elections. American Jews fractured.
By Yonat Shimron — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said in its statement that it was 'distressed' by Sen. Schumer's speech. Then a group of Jewish organizations revolted against the statement.
New Catholic Spanish language record label seeks to catch up to Christian industry
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — March 19, 2024
(RNS) — Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to 'go out,' Juan Delgado and Pedro Rubalcava launched Via Cantus in February 2023.
A Holocaust exhibit seemed harmless. With the war in Gaza, it’s come under scrutiny.
By Yonat Shimron — March 18, 2024
DURHAM (RNS) — The US Holocaust Memorial Museum exhibit, 'Some Were Neighbors,' has been traveling across the country for the past two years. A coalition of Durham residents say it presents a narrow view of genocide.
Poll: Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad
By Jack Jenkins — March 15, 2024
(RNS) — There is also growing concern among an array of religious Americans that their beliefs are in conflict with mainstream American culture.
Vatican puts the brakes on Synod on Synodality, pushes ‘controversial’ topics to 2025
By Claire Giangravé — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — Women deacons, priestly formation and other contentious questions won’t be a part of the next synod in October.
American Bible Society to shutter $60 million Faith and Liberty Discovery Center
By Bob Smietana — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — Exhibits at the state-of-the-art center sought to portray the role Scripture played in American history.
Unexpected defeat of referendums shows growing power of Ireland’s traditional Catholics
By Daniel O'Connor — March 13, 2024
DUBLIN (RNS) — At a Mass said in Latin on Sunday (March 10), Ireland’s traditional Catholics declared political victory, days after a pair of referendums aimed at secularizing the Irish Constitution were unexpectedly and resoundingly defeated.
Poll shows slight dip in US support for LGBTQ rights across religious groups
By Kathryn Post — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — A strong majority of Americans, and majorities of many religious groups, still broadly support LGBTQ rights.
The anti-Zionist Jews countering mainstream support for Israel
By Yonat Shimron — March 11, 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) — Pro-Israel Jews have denounced anti-Zionists as antisemitic and not really Jewish. But the ranks of this group are growing, and their criticism of Israel is catching on among younger U.S. Jews.
‘In the name of the Mother, Daughter and Holy Spirit’: Catholic women advocate change
By Claire Giangravé — March 7, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Women meeting in Rome this week to promote female leadership in the Catholic Church are challenging the hierarchy’s resistance to change and its theological emphasis on ‘natural’ gender divisions.
For infertile couples, the fate of frozen embryos is deeply personal
By Bob Smietana — March 6, 2024
(RNS) — A recent ruling in Alabama that declared frozen embryos to be children has led to fierce debates in politics and on social media. For families who have leftover embryos, the issues are more personal. And the ruling raised important ethical issues about IVF.
Nine years after Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, Muslims launch a counterpart
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 5, 2024
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The document was drafted by scholars and members of leading Islamic organizations assembled by the United Nations Environmental Program’s Faith for Earth Coalition.
‘Run or die’: Muslims left mourning as police raze another mosque in northern India
By Yashraj Sharma — March 4, 2024
HALDWANI, India (RNS) — After local authorities razed a mosque and religious school, police cracked down on Muslim protesters, killing six and arresting nearly 80 before returning in the following days to wreak havoc in the city's Muslim ghetto.
These US citizens went to fight for Israel. Now they’re hostages in Gaza.
By Yonat Shimron — February 29, 2024
(RNS) — An estimated 23,380 American citizens currently serve in Israeli ranks. Three are now hostage in Gaza.
