Russia
‘There is still time.’ The Vatican assesses its influence as war breaks out in Ukraine.
By Claire Giangravé — February 24, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — When it comes to the Vatican’s diplomatic arsenal to promote peace in Ukraine, there are two main channels: diplomacy and ecumenism.
How will history judge Vladimir Putin?
By Jeffrey Salkin — February 24, 2022
(RNS) — In his hunger for Ukraine, Putin walks in the path of Hitler.
As Russian threat escalates, prominent US faith leaders hold vigil for peace in Ukraine
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 23, 2022
(RNS) — More than a dozen faith leaders offered prayers for a peaceful resolution during an online vigil Wednesday.
Russia is censured for religious freedom violations against Jehovah’s Witnesses
By Kathryn Post — February 23, 2022
(RNS) — Europe's highest human rights court found the country has violated Jehovah’s Witnesses' rights to liberty and freedom of religion.
Pope Francis decries ‘folly’ of war as tensions grow in Ukraine
By Claire Giangravé — February 23, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As war looms in Europe, Pope Francis called for a global day of fasting and prayer on Ash Wednesday.
Pope Francis decries ‘madness’ of war in Ukraine but doesn’t condemn Russia
By Claire Giangravé — February 9, 2022
(RNS) — A Greek-Catholic Ukrainian prelate, meanwhile, believes that a visit by the pope could promote peace far more than any public condemnation.
Why church conflict in Ukraine reflects historic Russian-Ukrainian tensions
By J. Eugene Clay — February 9, 2022
(The Conversation) — The current split in Ukrainian Orthodoxy reflects a fundamental question: Are Ukrainians and Russians one people or two separate nations?
The choice in Ukraine is simple: Peace, not war
By Bridget Moix — February 3, 2022
(RNS) — NATO expansion creates in Russia the very fears it is designed to allay in the alliance’s newest members.
Russia jails more Jehovah’s Witnesses, prompting calls for ‘strong measures’
By Adelle M. Banks — January 20, 2022
(RNS) — More than 80 Jehovah’s Witnesses are imprisoned in Russia, including some awaiting trial and some detained after being convicted.
Russian coronavirus-denying monk given prison sentence
By Vladimir Isachenkov — November 30, 2021
Father Sergiy was arrested in December 2020 on charges of inciting suicidal actions through sermons in which he urged believers to “die for Russia,” breaching the freedom of conscience and making arbitrary moves.
Russia added to State Department list of worst religious liberty violators
By Adelle M. Banks — November 17, 2021
(RNS) — Blinken said the Biden administration supports ‘every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.’
Russian Jehovah’s Witness sentenced to over four years in prison for his faith
By Jessica Mundie — October 11, 2021
(RNS) — Since April 2020, five men, including Vladimir Skachidub, have been convicted and imprisoned for practicing their faith in Russia’s Krasnodar Territory, where their religion is considered an extremist group.
Russia confines Siberian shaman to mental hospital for challenging Putin
By David I. Klein — October 5, 2021
(RNS) — The sentence comes in response to Aleksandr Gabyshev’s 2019 attempt to march from Siberia to Moscow, where, he claimed, he would use his self-proclaimed shamanic powers to ‘purge’ Vladimir Putin from power.
Russia declares groups linked to Church of Scientology as ‘undesirable’
By Alejandra Molina — September 27, 2021
(RNS) — The Prosecutor General’s Office on Friday (Sept. 24) said the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises International and the Church of Spiritual Technology "pose a threat to the security of the Russian Federation.”
New book ‘God’s Diplomats’ unveils the secret history of Vatican diplomacy
By Claire Giangravé — August 30, 2021
(RNS) — A new book on the history of the Vatican's international relations shows how Pope Francis is only following in his predecessors' footsteps in standing up to the United States.
