France
France will soon have a new crime: online obstruction of abortion
By Tom Heneghan — December 14, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The bill would allow abortion rights activists to sue websites that promote alternatives to ending a pregnancy or discuss abortion's possible psychological effects.
Russia inaugurates Orthodox cathedral in Paris
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 19, 2016
PARIS (Reuters) The Holy Trinity Cathedral is Russia's biggest and most visible landmark in the French capital since Tsar Alexander III offered Paris a bridge named after him in the late 19th century.
Burkinis and the stripping of religious liberty
By Ed Stetzer — August 30, 2016
(RNS) First, they came for the Muslim women in the burkinis …
UN rights office urges French towns to repeal burkini bans
By guest — August 30, 2016
(RNS) The bans are a 'stupid reaction' to terrorism that do not improve security and fuel religious intolerance, the UN says.
Outside Paris, a clinic aims to tackle an age-old practice
By Lauren Markoe — August 25, 2016
ST.-DENIS, France (RNS) A mother, cut as a child, seeks help to make sure her own daughter doesn't suffer the same fate.
Third French beach town bans Muslim burkini swimsuit
By RNS staff — August 15, 2016
(Reuters) The cities of Cannes and Villeneuve-Loubet also have banned the burkini, arguing that the garment, which leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed, defies French laws on secularism.
France and Germany search for solutions to Islamist challenge
By Tom Heneghan — August 10, 2016
PARIS (RNS) Pressure is mounting there because of last year's rapid influx of refugees from the Muslim world, which has challenged state and local authorities to integrate them better.
Terror attacks confound French authorities with shifting tactics and targets
By Tom Heneghan — July 27, 2016
PARIS (RNS) The issue of how to confront what one security expert called 'this epidemic of terrorism' is deeply dividing a society that now wonders not if but when, and where, the next outrage will occur.
Pope Francis condemns slaying of French priest
By Josephine McKenna — July 26, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pope expressed his “pain and horror over this absurd violence" as armed men burst into the church in a small town in Normandy and slit the throat of the Rev. Jacques Hamel.
After Nice attack, French Muslims feel fear and alienation
By RNS staff — July 19, 2016
(Reuters) Many Muslims feel their community is being unfairly blamed for the Bastille Day attack that killed 84 people, and they fear that discrimination and social divisions will grow in its wake.
Pope Francis telephones Nice leaders: ‘What can I do for you?’
By David Gibson — July 18, 2016
(RNS) The pontiff called out of the blue on Sunday evening, apologizing for his lack of fluency in French and promising to meet with families of the victims "as soon as possible."
Bastille Day attack reignites terrorism and religion debate
By Jerome Socolovsky — July 15, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis and other religious leaders condemn terrorism and expressed solidarity with France but some political leaders' responses are criticized.
ISIS supporters celebrate online; Obama condemns attack
By RNS staff — July 14, 2016
CAIRO -- Supporters of Islamic State celebrated on social media an attack in France by a truck that ran into crowds watching a fireworks display on the Bastille Day national holiday, killing at least 73 people and injuring 100.
Ancient Tunisian Jewish community faces uncertain future
By Yonat Shimron — June 20, 2016
HARA KBIRA, Tunisia (RNS) Djerba remains a tiny oasis of interfaith harmony and tolerance in an Arab world splintered by violence.
Prominent French priest and Vatican adviser accused in sex scandal
By David Gibson — May 20, 2016
(RNS) Allegations that Monsignor Tony Anatrella, who has argued that gay men cannot be priests, sexually exploited male clients under his care could have major repercussions.
