Faiths

World Communion Sunday is about more than Christian unity
By Jennifer Butler — October 2, 2023
(RNS) — World Communion Sunday should be understood as a ritual that helps us envision ourselves beyond our own religious, racial, gender or national tribe and unified instead by a vision of human and planetary flourishing; a realization that all are one.
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Photo essay: Ethiopian Orthodox in Ohio celebrate Meskel, connections to homeland
By Lauren Pond — October 2, 2023
(RNS) — A holiday observed by both Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox churches, Meskel commemorates the fourth-century discovery by Queen Helena of the True Cross upon which Jesus Christ was believed to have been crucified.
In United Methodist Church trial, a church on trial
By William B. Lawrence — October 2, 2023
(RNS) — A trial violated Wesley's dictum 'Do no harm.'
Federal agency sues Chipotle after a Kansas manager allegedly ripped off an employee’s hijab
By Associated Press — October 2, 2023
(AP) — The manager's “offensive and incessant requests” that she remove her hijab, and his attempt to physically take it off, were “unwelcome, intentional, severe, based on religion, and created a hostile working environment based on religion," the complaint alleged.
A green card processing change means US could lose thousands of faith leaders from abroad
By Associated Press — October 2, 2023
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — This change means that only applications filed before January 2019 are currently being processed, giving clergy with expiring visas no option but to leave their U.S. congregations behind.
What Pope Francis’ latest round of cardinal appointments means for the church
By The Conversation — October 2, 2023
(The Conversation) — The College of Cardinals has grown in importance, and size, over the centuries.
Vatican, other faith leaders join in push for end of death penalty in Louisiana
By Adelle M. Banks — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We think that the clearing of Louisiana’s death row would be a monumental step towards the abolition of the death penalty,’ Vatican agency head said.
Trump, once ‘most pro-life president,’ riles anti-abortion activists with new stance
By Jack Jenkins — September 29, 2023
'President Trump’s disappointing comments only serve as an avenue for pro-lifers to find another candidate to support,' said anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson.
Seattle Pacific University targets LGBTQ displays with new policy, say critics
By Kathryn Post — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — The new display policy permits freedom of expression within faculty and staff offices.
Critics of Pope Francis won’t rain on synod’s parade, says papal envoy to US
By Claire Giangravé — September 29, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — While conservative opposition to Francis and the synod often gets the limelight, it represents a small fraction of American clergy, said Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
The fruit of the Spirit is not optional, despite what you might witness online
By Karen Swallow Prior — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — Before social media, I honestly never knew people who claimed to be Christians would treat one another with such cruelty.
Dozens dead after blast in southwestern Pakistan at a rally celebrating birthday of Islam’s prophet
By Roxanne Stone — September 29, 2023
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Around 500 people had gathered for a procession from the mosque to celebrate the birth of the prophet, known as Mawlid an-Nabi.
The real threat of AI isn’t what you think
By Charles C. Camosy — September 29, 2023
(RNS) — AI has the capacity to undermine our understanding of the human person.