United Nations
Answering the refugee crisis as a matter of faith
By Waseem Ahmad, Anne Burghardt, and Mark Hetfield — June 22, 2022
(RNS) — Faith groups are usually the first responders when people are displaced, and the last.
Russian Orthodox head escapes EU sanctions thanks to Orban
By Samuel Petrequin — June 2, 2022
BRUSSELS (AP) — The Hungarian government said sanctioning Kirill would have been inappropriate on grounds of respect for religious freedom.
UN sets March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia
By Associated Press — March 16, 2022
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The resolution emphasizes the right to freedom of religion and belief and recalls a 1981 resolution calling for “the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief.”
Evangelical scientist Katharine Hayhoe finds hope in United Nations’ climate report
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 14, 2022
CHICAGO (RNS) — 'That's how the world changes: When individuals have the courage of their convictions and use their voices to call for change,' the climate scientist told Religion News Service.
Viganò, Vatican critic, blames ‘deep state’ for Ukraine war, citing COVID-19 measures
By Claire Giangravé — March 7, 2022
(RNS) — The outspoken papal critic connected the Ukraine conflict to opposition to COVID-19 vaccines.
Andrew Young, at 90, views his civic, political roles ‘as a pastorate’
By Adelle M. Banks — March 4, 2022
(RNS) — ‘My model for almost every job I've had has been the model of a pastor servicing a congregation,’ said the former mayor and civil rights leader.
Vatican offers to mediate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
By Claire Giangravé — February 28, 2022
(RNS) — 'We must avoid every escalation, halt the conflict and negotiate,' said Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
‘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.
UN chief decries antisemitism, urges stand against hatred
By Edith M. Lederer — January 26, 2022
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was alarmed to learn recently that barely half of adults worldwide have heard of the Holocaust.
Pope Francis attacked cancel culture. It sounds better than ‘ideological colonization.’
By Claire Giangravé — January 18, 2022
(RNS) — In a recent speech the pope revived his criticism of rich countries that force their values on poorer nations, erasing their local cultures and traditions.
COP26 event urges partnership between religious, Indigenous leaders to save planet
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 4, 2021
(RNS) — There can be no solution to the climate crisis that does not recognize the rights and spiritualities of Indigenous peoples, according to religious leaders who gathered for the official COP26 side event ‘Making Peace with Nature.’
Hindus denounce violence amid attacks in Bangladesh
By Julhas Alam — October 18, 2021
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Protests continued Monday in Bangladesh’s capital to denounce a wave of violence against Hindus following an image posted on social media that was perceived as insulting to the country’s Muslim majority. New attacks took place Sunday night in a northern village, where unidentified people burned up to 26 homes of Hindus […]
Pope to lawmakers: Climate change requires quick consensus
By Frances D'emilio — October 11, 2021
The pope addressed parliamentarians who were in Rome for a preparatory meeting before the U.N's annual climate conference, which begins in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct. 31.
Pope, patriarch and Canterbury abbot issue climate appeal
By Nicole Winfield — September 7, 2021
ROME (AP) — The world’s top Christian leaders — Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians — on Tuesday issued a joint appeal for delegates at the upcoming U.N. climate summit to “listen to the cry of the Earth” and make sacrifices to save the planet. In their first-ever […]
How to remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Sign the nuclear weapons treaty
By Diane Randall — August 20, 2021
(RNS) — I look forward to celebrating the complete abolishment of nuclear weapons.
