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Black women cracking ‘stained-glass ceilings’ with Jesus’ 7 last words
By Adelle M. Banks — April 18, 2019
(RNS) — At least a dozen churches across the country are hosting Good Friday services this year that feature seven African American female preachers speaking about the last sayings of Jesus.
Holy Week services go on in Paris despite Notre Dame fire
By Tom Heneghan — April 18, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — Holy Week services for Catholics in Paris go on in new locations while plans for recovering from the Notre Dame Cathedral fire get started with more than $1 billion pledged for repairs.
Kitniyot or not? As Jewish traditions merge in Israel, a Passover debate emerges
By Paul O'Donnell — April 18, 2019
JERUSALEM (RNS) — At Passover, Jews of Eastern European descent abstain from eating legumes such as chickpeas and soybeans. Sephardic Jews have no such prohibition. What does seder look like when the two groups come together?
How a controversial Muslim figure helped ignite a media firestorm over Rep. Ilhan Omar’s 9/11 comments
By Aysha Khan — April 17, 2019
(RNS) — How did a video of Omar’s comments on the 9/11 terrorist attacks explode into such a massive controversy? Australia’s Imam Mohammad Tawhidi, who claims to be a Muslim reformer, lit the match.
Rastafarianism, promising freedom, spreads among African youth
By Tonny Onyulo — April 17, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A faith that originated in the Caribbean islands has drawn many adherents through its social justice and anti-colonialist messages.
Chrissy Metz on ‘Breakthrough’: Everything happens as it should
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 16, 2019
(RNS) — The 'This Is Us' actress said she 'wholeheartedly' believes in miracles, including the one a doctor says occurred in the life of a boy whose true story is depicted in the movie, releasing for Easter.
Notre Dame fire extinguished, Paris turns to assessing damage and repairs
By Tom Heneghan — April 16, 2019
PARIS (RNS) — Crowds gathered outside of Notre Dame Cathedral to give thanks that the beloved Paris landmark still stood, while officials began assessing damaging and making plans to rebuild. More than 500 million euros has already been pledged toward repairs.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris ravaged by fire
By Tom Heneghan — April 15, 2019
(RNS) — A massive fire engulfed the 850-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Paris Monday evening (April 15), destroying the entire wooden frame. The roof and spire also collapsed.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — April 13, 2019
(RNS) — This week’s gallery includes several elections, restorations at Notre Dame Cathedral and more.
The spiritual politics of presidential candidate Marianne Williamson
By Jack Jenkins — April 12, 2019
(RNS) — 'The only way to defeat dog whistles is to drown them out with angel voices. But the angels can only sing through us,' said the author of 'A Return to Love,' of her run to deprive Donald Trump of the White House.
Lion of Judah church straddles Boston’s two worlds
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — April 12, 2019
BOSTON (RNS) — For the last 30 years, Ivy League-educated Pentecostal pastor Roberto Miranda has been fighting Boston's demons as leader of Congregación Leon de Juda.
As Venezuela refugee crisis builds, church struggles to carry out pope’s call
By Eduardo Campos Lima — April 11, 2019
SAO PAULO (RNS) — The flow of refugees has overwhelmed efforts to meet Pope Francis' call to provide 'hospitality and acceptance' for immigrants.
India’s Hindu prime minister touts hometown’s Buddhist links as vote nears
By Priyadarshini Sen — April 11, 2019
VADNAGAR, India (RNS) — Is Indian Prime Minister Modi's interest in Buddhist antiquities genuine, or just a play for votes among his country's dispossessed?
Faith-based bills advance in Texas in defiance of ‘almighty dollar’
By Max B. Baker — April 10, 2019
(RNS) — Some faith and business leaders oppose a proposal that they say would let Texans use their faith as a shield to deny services as mundane as plumbing or towing a car.
In Los Angeles, a house for all heretics
By Heather Morrison — April 10, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — A private home known as Heretic House fills a church-shaped hole for the city's atheists without the trappings of belief in a higher power.
