Top Story
Trump: US to impose sanctions on Turkey over detained pastor
By Susanna George — July 26, 2018
Shortly after the possibility of sanctions was first announced by Vice President Mike Pence Thursday, Trump wrote on Twitter that the U.S. "will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson."
Turkey: American pastor on trial for terror let out of jail
By Zeynep Bilginsoy — July 25, 2018
An American pastor who had been jailed in Turkey for more than 1½ years on terror and espionage charges was released Wednesday and put under house arrest as his trial continues.
As McCarrick scandal spreads, top US cardinal urges stricter abuse policies
By Yonat Shimron — July 25, 2018
(RNS) — 'A major gap still exists in the Church’s policies on sexual conduct and sexual abuse,' wrote Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, in a statement.
Brownback opens religious freedom summit with plea to fight persecution
By Adelle M. Banks — July 24, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'We must move to a place where people genuinely care and love one another, no matter our differences,' said the religious freedom ambassador at the interfaith, international summit.
Indonesia passes anti-terrorism law after suicide attacks on churches
By Nithin Coca — July 24, 2018
JAKARTA, Indonesia (RNS) — The new law has bolstered support for President Joko Widodo, a moderate Muslim, but some groups say it gives too much power to the state.
The belief behind weeping Virgin Mary statues
By Mathew Schmalz — July 23, 2018
(The Conversation) — In a Catholic parish in Hobbs, New Mexico, a statue of the Virgin Mary has been “weeping,” likely setting in motion an investigation by the local bishop and renewing questions about the meaning for the faithful about such phenomena.
Questioning real-world learning at ultra-Orthodox schools
By Karen Matthews — July 22, 2018
NEW YORK (AP) — Complaints that some schools run by the city's strictly observant Hasidic Jews barely teach English, math, science or social studies have fueled a movement to demand stricter oversight by state and local educational authorities.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — July 21, 2018
Each week Religion News Service presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world.
Church of England plans to test aspiring clergy for skills, aptitude — and narcissism
By Catherine Pepinster — July 20, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — Better psychological profiling of clergy, experts say, can help to spot pathologies such as narcissism and Machiavellianism that can turn pastors into rivals of the God they purport to serve.
Revelations of US cardinal sex abuse will force pope’s hand
By Nicole Winfield — July 20, 2018
(RNS) — "We can't effectively prevent the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults by clergy while habitual and widespread failures in celibacy are quietly tolerated," said a Catholic seminary official.
Trinidad and Tobago’s religious leaders call on government to uphold anti-LGBT laws
By Melissa Williams-Sambrano — July 20, 2018
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (RNS) — After the country’s high court declares anti-gay laws to be unconstitutional, many religious leaders are doubling down on their opposition to same-sex marriage.
Pompeo says Putin summit helps with religious freedom push
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 19, 2018
(RNS) — The secretary of state said his department is 'concerned anytime any country attempts to interfere with religious freedom of any individual anyplace and anywhere.'
Mariia Butina and the National Prayer Breakfast
By Jack Jenkins — July 18, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A new Department of Justice affidavit alleges that a Russian national tried to exploit the National Prayer Breakfast as a back channel to American politicians. Evidence suggests Russian connections to the religious event run deep.
For American Muslims, family border separations are personal
By Aysha Khan — July 18, 2018
(RNS) — They say it takes a village to raise a child. In Tampa, Fla., a community of Muslims wants to raise 2,300 migrant children until they can be reunited with their families. Here's why.
Researchers find link between Trump tweets and spike in anti-Muslim hate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 17, 2018
(RNS) — Their conclusions correspond with what Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups are hearing, too.
