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Congressmen accuse Liberty U of restricting student free speech
By Jack Jenkins — October 9, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Two Democratic lawmakers are accusing Liberty University of enacting 'extreme restrictions on student free speech' in a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Campaign posters in ‘Luther country’ raise specter of anti-Semitism
By Ken Chitwood — October 9, 2019
ERFURT, Germany (RNS) — Today, the question remains which part of Luther's legacy will have the greater impact on the upcoming election.
2/3 of Amazon bishops support married priests, says Brazil bishop
By Claire Giangravé — October 9, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — According to one Brazilian bishop attending the Vatican summit on the Amazon region, a majority of Brazilian bishops are in favor of allowing the ordination of married men to the priesthood.
Christian leaders call for Day of Prayer in support of impeachment inquiry
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 8, 2019
(RNS) — More than 80 Christian leaders are calling for a National Day of Prayer this Sunday (Oct. 13) 'for the truth to be revealed through the impeachment inquiry.'
Christians urge California governor to veto bill for abortion pill access at colleges
By Alejandra Molina — October 8, 2019
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — If signed into law, the 'College Student Right to Access Act,' or SB 24, would take effect in January 2023. Newsom has until Sunday to make a decision.
At Amazon synod, UN expert says Catholic Church still behind on gender equality
By Claire Giangravé — October 8, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A United Nations representative for the rights of indigenous peoples, who is participating in the gathering of bishops at the Vatican Oct. 6-27 on the Amazonian region, said the Catholic Church still has a ways to go in terms of women’s representation.
Evolving Faith conference offers evangelical ‘refugees’ shelter
By Roxanne Stone — October 7, 2019
DENVER (RNS) — Nearly 2,500 attendees gathered in Denver for two days to seek community in what many called "the wilderness" of deconstruction. Speakers grappled with questions about faith, church, power and justice. Even as they also mourned the death of co-founder, Rachel Held Evans.
At Caring Well conference, SBC leaders hear criticism of abuse response
By Jack Jenkins — October 5, 2019
DALLAS (RNS) — The Caring Well conference on sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention devoted its second and third days to hearing from critics of the denomination's response to victims.
Pope names 13 new cardinals, cements majority vote and the power to reshape the Church
By Claire Giangravé — October 5, 2019
Vatican City, (RNS) — With the creation of these new Catholic princes who share Francis’ emphasis on a missional and evangelizing church, Francis has now named a total of 91 new cardinals, and more than 52% of the voting cardinals.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — October 4, 2019
(RNS) — This week’s gallery includes the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, Rev. Franklin Graham touring North Carolina, and more.
Hindu nationalists open self-styled religious courts as a rebuke to Sharia law
By Priyadarshini Sen — October 4, 2019
ALIGARH, India (RNS) — Last year, the right-wing Hindu Mahasabha Party demanded the closure of all Muslim Sharia courts in India. When their petition was denied, the party set up its own unsanctioned courts across Uttar Pradesh, based on Hindu principles of justice.
Opposition to Amazon synod spurs new right-wing coalition in Brazil
By Eduardo Campos Lima — October 3, 2019
SÃO PAULO (RNS) — Its opposition to the Pan-Amazon synod's goals has given a group of conservative Catholic organizations new life as a wedge of the Brazilian president's populist base.
Franklin Graham on impeachment: ‘Our country could begin to unravel’
By Yonat Shimron — October 2, 2019
(RNS) — Graham’s defense of the president echoed that of fellow evangelical Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, who warned of a potential civil war and accused Democrats of worshipping the pagan god Moloch.
InterVarsity can require its leaders to be Christian, judge rules
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 2, 2019
(RNS) — A judge is holding three officials at the University of Iowa personally accountable to pay back InterVarsity's legal fees after the organization won its case against the campus for removing the group due to a requirement that its leaders be Christian.
It took 12 years, but this Coachella community is getting a new church
By Alejandra Molina — October 2, 2019
COACHELLA, Calif. (RNS) — Parishioners of Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in the city of Coachella will soon see their offerings materialize into a new church that will accommodate 1,200 people.
