China accuses US of double standards on anti-Muslim bigotry, counterterrorism
(RNS) — Chinese officials are seeking to turn the tables on the White House, accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy due to its own long history of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Study: Christians, Jews have smaller families, solo living and parenting styles
(RNS) — The Pew Research Center study found that Muslims across the globe live in the biggest households. Christians fall in the middle. One in 10 Jews worldwide live alone.
Reforming USCIRF to death
(RNS) — Turning the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom into a federal bureaucracy will curtail its proven ability to act boldly and independently.
Pope Francis taps Filipino Cardinal to Vatican's evangelization powerhouse
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In a surprise move, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, as the head of Propaganda Fide, the major Vatican department for evangelization, and signaling a possible papal successor.
The future of adoption is in a child's own community
(RNS) — Children in US foster care are kept as close to their biological home as possible to minimize trauma. The same should be encouraged in our child welfare work overseas.
In Brazil, historic black lay Catholic 'brotherhoods' fight to survive
(RNS) — After centuries resisting slavery, racism and inequality, dozens of black Catholic lay associations are hopeful that a new network and changes in the Church will extend their history.
Egypt arrests Coptic community rights activist amid heightened surveillance measures
CAIRO (RNS) — Early on Nov. 23, plainclothes police arrived at the home of Ramy Kamel, a tailor and advocate for the Coptic community. Human rights groups have expressed alarm over Kamel's arrest and a renewed crackdown on activists and journalists in Egypt.
Pope Francis welcomes refugees to a new life in Italy
(RNS) — Pope Francis welcomed more than 30 refugees Wednesday in Rome. The refugees — mostly from Lesbos — will begin a new life in Italy.
Pope says no more nukes — even possessing nuclear weapons is 'immoral'
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (RNS) — The use and possession of nuclear weapons should be made 'immoral' under official Catholic teaching, Francis told reporters.
Japan’s anti-nuke bishops, hipsters garner support from Pope Francis
(RNS) — The debate over nuclear power in Japan is almost entirely framed by the March 2011 disaster at Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, when a tsunami struck the country’s east coast. The pope met three survivors of the disaster on the last day of his apostolic visit to Thailand and Japan.
Why these New York Sikhs are fundraising for a mosque in India
(RNS) – A Sikh-majority village in the Indian side of Punjab has some 300 Muslims, but no mosques. This Sikh family in New York City wants to change that.
In Japan, Pope Francis condemns nuclear weapons as immoral
(RNS) — During visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pope Francis called for the abolishment of nuclear weapons and remembered the victims of U.S. nuclear attacks.
Pope Francis urges Japanese to address suicide, depression in Tokyo speech
TOKYO (RNS) — Francis also urged the country's bishops to cater to young people in particular, as they are the most prone to suicide and “thirsting for compassion."
In Thailand, Pope Francis wins hearts by breaking the mold
BANGKOK (RNS) — In Thailand's highly formal society, Pope Francis’ relaxed approach has already brought together political and religious leaders to help those left behind in the country's increasingly commercial culture.