California
‘Fire monks’ ready to defend monastery from Big Sur blaze
By Associated Press — June 23, 2021
BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) — A group of firefighting monks was ready to defend a Buddhist monastery being threatened Tuesday by a wildfire burning south of Big Sur.
For one LA Catholic church, meeting indoors is ‘historic’ after wave of COVID-19 deaths
By Alejandra Molina — June 21, 2021
SAN GABRIEL, Calif. (RNS) — A church that held a funeral a week during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic tentatively comes together in person again.
Archdiocese of Los Angeles issues new guidelines to fully reopen parishes
By Alejandra Molina — June 14, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Masks will not be required for fully vaccinated people during indoor and outdoor religious services.
Biden inauguration priest resigns as president of Jesuit university
By Alejandra Molina — May 13, 2021
(RNS) — The Rev. Kevin O’Brien’s resignation comes about two months after he was placed on leave while he was under investigation for unspecified allegations.
Muslims and Catholics in Orange County to unite for Eid al-Fitr prayers
By Alejandra Molina — May 12, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — In the spirit of interfaith solidarity, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church is offering its campus to host Eid prayers for the Islamic Center of Fullerton, a growing congregation that operates out of a small office space.
Kyrie Irving’s recent conversion puts a spotlight on athletes observing Ramadan
By Joseph Hammond — May 6, 2021
(RNS) — Both amateur and professional athletes across the country must figure out how to continue competing well as they fast during the month of Ramadan.
Man charged in San Gabriel Mission blaze that destroyed rooftop of historic church
By Alejandra Molina — May 4, 2021
SAN GABRIEL, Calif. (RNS) — John David Corey faces two felony counts of arson of an inhabited structure and one count each of arson during a state of emergency, first-degree residential burglary and possession of flammable material, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says.
RNS Weekly News Quiz: April 29, 2021
By Emily Churchill — April 30, 2021
(RNS) — Test your knowledge of current events in the world of religion.
For California Muslims: A Ramadan approaching normal
By Joseph Hammond — April 28, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California could not enforce restrictions on at-home indoor religious gatherings. The 5-4 ruling, coming on the eve of Ramadan, has been a boon to California Muslims.
How SCOTUS is selectively ‘restoring’ religious liberty
By Mark Silk — April 12, 2021
(RNS) — A court bent on finding an absence of neutrality can always find something.
High court halts Calif. virus rules limiting home worship
By Jessica Gresko — April 10, 2021
(AP) — In November, the high court barred New York from enforcing certain limits on attendance at churches and synagogues in areas designated as hard-hit by the virus.
Bishop George Dallas McKinney, founder of St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church of God in Christ, dies at 88
By Alejandra Molina — March 22, 2021
(RNS) — The son of a sharecropper who was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, founded St. Stephen’s Church of God in Christ in 1962.
Junipero Serra’s Carmel Mission to be restored for historic site’s 250th anniversary
By Alejandra Molina — March 8, 2021
(RNS) — A $4 million restoration project is expected to be completed in time for the mission’s 250th anniversary this fall.
Latino churches in Los Angeles County will now serve as COVID-19 testing sites
By Alejandra Molina — February 26, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Through a partnership with the county, Latino congregations now offering this service are St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Whittier and Centro de Vida Victoriosa, an Assemblies of God church in East LA.
San Francisco priest dies after testing positive for COVID-19
By Alejandra Molina — February 19, 2021
(RNS) — The Rev. Bob Stein, who served at Saints Peter & Paul Church, died early Tuesday (Feb. 16) after testing positive for COVID-19, the church said on its website.
