Missouri

Missouri boarding school closes as state agency examines how it responded to abuse claims

By Jim Salter — March 28, 2024
(AP) — The allegations are the latest against people associated with Christian boarding schools in Missouri.

Ex-Roman Catholic cardinal, now 92, is not competent to stand trial in sex abuse case, expert says

By Alanna Durkin Richer — June 30, 2023
BOSTON (AP) — Prosecutors this week disclosed the findings of their expert to the judge, who will ultimately rule on the once-powerful American prelate's ability to face charges that he abused the boy at a wedding reception at Wellesley College in 1974.

Clergy file suit over Missouri abortion ban, arguing it establishes a religion

By Jack Jenkins — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — ‘Our elected officials have violated their oath to uphold that constitution by weaponizing religious beliefs,’ said the Rev. Traci Blackmon.

In ad blitz, watchdog group projects political heft of nonreligious Americans

By Alejandra Molina — September 16, 2022
(RNS) —The campaign includes billboards featuring portraits of residents of the swing states of Michigan, Louisiana, Missouri and others, and the legend 'I’m an atheist and I vote' along highways in their respective regions.

Public funding of religious schools is coming. The first lesson is compromise.

By Thomas Reese — December 14, 2021
(RNS) — What religious schools need more than anything is something like the Pell Grants that are available to low-income college students.

Ilhan Omar named ‘American Muslim Public Servant of 2021’ by CAIR

By Joseph Hammond — December 7, 2021
(RNS) — In her acceptance speech, Omar acknowledged it had been a ‘very difficult week’ as the political feud between her and Rep. Lauren Boebert continued to draw headlines.

Lawmakers, pope ask Missouri governor to halt execution

By Jim Salter — October 4, 2021
In a letter last week, a representative for Pope Francis wrote that the pope “wishes to place before you the simple fact of Mr. Johnson’s humanity and the sacredness of all human life," referring to Ernest Johnson.

Missouri church leaders implore congregants: Get vaccinated

By Jim Salter — July 22, 2021
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — ‘Vaccine hesitancy in our pews puts our congregations and communities at greater risk.’

In many COVID hot spots, a pattern: High concentrations of white evangelicals

By Jack Jenkins — July 15, 2021
(RNS) — ‘It’s clear that the pattern is more white evangelical Protestants equals lower vaccination rates,’ said Natalie Jackson, research director at the Public Religion Research Institute.

Pandemic, loss unite 2 rural Missouri pastors around faith

By Jessie Wardarski, David Crary, and Luis Andres Henao — December 9, 2020
NOEL, Missouri (RNS) — While the pastors both want to keep parishioners safe, they are determined to carry on with in-person services as long as members of their congregations are eager to attend.

Death in the middle of death: On the execution of Walter Barton

By Shane Claiborne — May 26, 2020
(RNS) — The pandemic has caused us to rethink a lot of things, and one can only hope that executing people is one of the things we don’t want to return to.

In Missouri, Jewish leaders and other clergy argue for religious exemption to vote by mail

By Jack Jenkins — May 8, 2020
RNS — ‘The idea that we would do anything to hurt someone else’s life is horrifying to us as Jews, and antithetical to all of the teachings of our faith,’ said Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council in St. Louis, Missouri.

Missouri investigation: 12 ex-clergy could face prosecution

By Jim Salter — September 13, 2019
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The referrals are the result of an investigation into church records of more than 2,000 priests and 300 deacons, seminarians and religious women.

Overcoming fears of ‘making noise,’ US Muslims step into civic life

By Eric Berger — April 2, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The group Muslims for a Better America plunged into local politics in this city when a candidate who described herself as a 'Confederate' ran for school board.

Seven states launch investigations in wake of Pennsylvania clergy sex abuse report

By Jack Jenkins — September 6, 2018
(RNS) —  Law enforcement officials in at least seven states appear to be launching their own inquiries of their Catholic dioceses, focusing on church files thought to contain decades of allegations of child sex abuse by priests.
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