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Rabbi with a gift for fundraising among evangelicals mourned as friend
By Yonat Shimron — February 7, 2019
(RNS) — Yechiel Eckstein was the spark that ignited an appreciation and even love for Israel and for the Jewish people among evangelicals.
Trump strikes muted tone at National Prayer Breakfast, plays up evangelical interests
By Jack Jenkins — February 7, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'I will never let you down, I can say that — never,' Trump said to the attendees at the religious gathering.
Religious leaders hope CAR peace deal will end church, mosque attacks
By Bob Smietana — February 7, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Religious leaders in the Central African Republic hope a new peace agreement will last.
Nikahnama wants to bring back a lost Islamic marriage tradition
By Aysha Khan — February 7, 2019
(RNS) — Nushmia Khan was tired of seeing Muslim couples treat their sacred marriage contracts as boring legalese. So last month, she launched a small business to help bring decorative keepsake Islamic marriage contracts to Muslim couples across the globe.
IRS’ ‘church parking tax’ sparks questions and concerns
By Bobby Ross Jr. — February 7, 2019
(RNS) — An obscure provision of the 2017 tax overhaul may end up costing churches and other houses of worship.
Andrew Brunson, back in US after detention, hopes to return to Turkey one day
By Adelle M. Banks — February 6, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The evangelical pastor recalled at an event hosted by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that its commissioners were among the first people to visit him in prison after his arrest in 2016.
Environmentalist priest in Peru says little has changed since pope’s visit
By Paula Dupraz-Dobias — February 6, 2019
PUERTO MALDONADO, Peru (RNS) — The Rev. Xavier Arbex has warned for years about the devastating impact of rapacious mining in the mineral-rich country.
As Southern Baptists mull executive vacancies, will diversity play a role?
By Adelle M. Banks — February 6, 2019
(RNS) — Two former SBC presidents, joined by a Las Vegas pastor, took the unusual step of sending a letter to the search committee for the new president of the SBC Executive Committee, inquiring about the breadth of efforts to fill the position.
Pope publicly acknowledges clergy sexual abuse of nuns
By Nicole Winfield — February 5, 2019
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — The acknowledgment comes just two weeks before he hosts an unprecedented gathering of bishops to craft a global response to the scandal of priestly predators.
‘We’re not the enemy’: Muslim fans respond to Chicago Cubs patriarch’s emails
By Aysha Khan — February 5, 2019
(RNS) — Muslim fans of the Chicago Cubs say they’re disappointed after leaked emails from Ricketts, the billionaire patriarch of the family that owns the team, revealed him sharing racist, anti-Muslim jokes and conspiracy theories.
For some Pennsylvania laity, being Catholic has become embarrassing and troubling
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2019
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (RNS) — The latest sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church has left many lay people wondering if it is time to leave the church.
Most evangelical college students appreciate LGBT people even if trustees don’t
By Kevin Singer, Laura Dahl, Alyssa Rockenbach, and Matthew Mayhew — February 5, 2019
(RNS) — Clashes between trustees and students at evangelical institutions over the last few years are explained by a longitudinal survey of young Christians' attitudes toward marginalized groups.
Search for undiscovered Dead Sea Scrolls reveals dispute over West Bank artifacts
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — An architectural dig looking for Dead Sea Scrolls in the Qumran region has sparked a debate over ownership of artifacts from Israel's past.
Two years after Trump’s travel ban, faith-based refugee groups struggle
By Emily McFarlan Miller and Jack Jenkins — February 4, 2019
(RNS) – Since the start of fiscal year 2017, the country has lost one-third of its capacity to welcome and resettle refugees in local communities.
Pope in historic UAE visit urges faith leaders to reject war
By The Associated Press — February 4, 2019
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Francis' speech to the gathering of faith leaders was the highlight of a 40-hour visit that concludes Tuesday with the first papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula.
