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Pope warns Lithuanians to guard against anti-Semitism

By Nicole Winfield — September 23, 2018

KAUNAS, Lithuania (AP) — He denounced those who get caught up in debating who was more virtuous in the past and fail to address the tasks of the present — an apparent reference to historic revisionism.

Photos of the Week

By Kit Doyle — September 22, 2018

This week’s gallery includes images from the Shiite Ashura commemoration, events around Yom Kippur and more.

Pompeo: US ‘sparing no effort’ for return of pastor detained in Turkey

By Adelle M. Banks — September 21, 2018

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The secretary of state told participants in the annual Values Voter Summit that American pastor Andrew Brunson ‘has been wrongly held’ and should be released.

Conservatives flock to ‘values voter’ summit, but message may be mixed

By Jack Jenkins — September 21, 2018

(RNS) — Evangelical conservative Christians may find themselves in a quandary this year, championing an administration that shares their public policy goals but may fall short of their private values.

Dallas church intent on seeking justice in Botham Jean’s death

By Bobby Ross Jr. — September 21, 2018

DALLAS — As a minister pledges to find answers, his congregation mourns a beloved song leader and Bible teacher fatally shot in his home by an off-duty police officer.

Father Brett Kavanaugh would be suspended and investigated

By Thomas Reese — September 21, 2018

(RNS) — If Brett Kavanaugh were a Catholic priest, he would be suspended and investigated. Should we expect less from the U.S. Senate?

Anti-abuse activists pan US Catholic bishops’ new proposals

By The Associated Press — September 21, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — Critics called on the bishops to go further by allowing outside investigators full access to church sex-abuse records and by supporting changes to statute-of-limitation laws.

Israeli court fines ultra-Orthodox radio station for banning women from the air

By Michele Chabin — September 21, 2018

JERUSALEM (RNS) — After a lawsuit was filed, the station began permitting women to speak during limited hours, "and only on stereotypically female topics like recipes or education,” said an activist.

With Kavanaugh allegations, religious leaders remain divided on court nomination

By Adelle M. Banks — September 20, 2018

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Since allegations surfaced of a sexual assault during his Catholic school days, officials in a range of religion-related roles are no less divided about whether he should join the nation’s highest court.

The ‘Splainer: From bloodletting to blood donation, what is Ashura?

By Aysha Khan — September 20, 2018

(RNS) — Whether Muslims mark the day by flagellating or fasting, the solemn Islamic holiday of Ashura is not for the faint of heart. Let us ’Splain.

LBGT refugees say they face hostility, violence in Kenyan camp

By Tonny Onyulo — September 20, 2018

KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP, Kenya (RNS) – Many of their fellow refugees reportedly believe that homosexuality is wrong and gays must be punished.

Cardinal hires judge to review church sex abuse policies

By The Associated Press — September 20, 2018

NEW YORK (AP) — Timothy Dolan announced the appointment of Barbara Jones on Thursday (Sept. 20), saying many Catholics had told him they were feeling let down by the church's hierarchy.

No longer the default, Church of England goes to battle in religious marketplace

By Catherine Pepinster — September 20, 2018

LONDON (RNS) — For the past two years the Church of England has committed itself to developing a strong presence online, with a particular target of attracting people who do not regularly go to church.

How an ancient Islamic holiday became uniquely Caribbean

By Ken Chitwood — September 20, 2018

(The Conversation) — In Trinidad, where Muslims make up 5 percent of the population, a parade of colorful floats marks the Shiite holy day of Ashura, but the festival also commemorates those killed in the anti-British Hosay riots in 1884.

India bans instant divorce by Muslim men