Study: Social hostility to religion declines, but government restrictions rise
(RNS) — A global analysis of government restrictions toward religion finds that the number of countries with “high” or “very high” levels..
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On day of remembrance, churches confront their role in Indigenous boarding schools
CHICAGO (RNS) — Worshippers at a prayer service for truth and reconciliation late last month at St. Benedict Catholic Parish in Chicago’s..
Rural chaplains support communities facing hate groups, isolation and labor shortages
(RNS) — On any given day, the Rev. Bob Klingler, a rural chaplain in Northwestern Pennsylvania, might be cleaning a flooded basement,..
Where Serra statues once stood, a chance to honor California’s Indigenous people
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Since protesters began toppling statues of Father Junipero Serra up and down California last summer, Catholic Church leaders..
A brief guide to the Southern Baptist meltdown over sexual abuse
(RNS) — Sometime in the next few days, members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee will meet for the third time..
Gen Z is keeping the faith. Just don’t expect to see them at worship.
(RNS) — At 18, Sam still identifies himself as a Catholic. But if it partly defines him, it doesn’t limit him. “I..
Southern Baptists, at impasse, postpone vote on sex abuse probe for a week
(RNS) — After a contentious five-hour meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 28), the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee called for a further week..
Canada’s First Nations await ‘concrete actions’ as bishops apologize for boarding schools
(RNS) — Canada’s 90 Roman Catholic bishops have “unequivocally” apologized for that church’s role in the Indian Residential School system that about..
Connecticut churches offer potential model for resettling Afghan evacuees
(RNS) — Amid the political polarization that afflicts just about every issue before the American public, one happy exception is the overwhelming bipartisan..
Five clergy speak about their unexpected callings
(RNS) — Traditionally, clergy operate at their community’s center. The faithful can find their leader in the shared location where they gather..
J. Dana Trent turns her drug-dealing childhood into a podcast about poverty and faith
(RNS) — J. Dana Trent is best known for a series of books in which she has expounded on faith, love and..
Cathedral to replace Confederate windows with stained glass reflecting Black life
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Four years after the Washington National Cathedral removed stained-glass windows depicting Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson,..
Women making strides in leadership of Black denominations amid hesitancy
(RNS) — Women in Black Baptist circles knew that it was a matter of time before one of their own was named..
Women are essential in the Bible. Now they’re in the Sunday readings
(RNS) — On any given Sunday, many Christians the world over hear the same Scripture readings in church, which their pastor, priest,..
9/11 became a catalyst for interfaith relations and cooperation
(RNS) — On Sept. 11, 2001, Imam Naeem Baig was the general secretary of the Islamic Circle of North America, having started..
Faith-based disaster relief groups balance COVID safety with speedy response to Hurricane Ida
(RNS) — In the wake of Hurricane Ida, faith-based disaster relief groups are assessing damage, setting up mobile kitchens and preparing to..
First Nations Version translates the New Testament for Native American readers
(RNS) — It’s a Bible verse familiar to many Christians — and even to many non-Christians who have seen John 3:16 on..
National Dog Day 2021: Meet Petey the Beagle, associate pastor and greeter
GREEN TREE, Pa. (RNS) — Aug. 26 was National Dog Day, a holiday designated since 2004 to celebrate dogs and encourage adoption...
How to help Afghans arriving in the US after fleeing the Taliban
(RNS) — As the United States planned its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, faith-based refugee resettlement organizations led calls for the evacuation of..
Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandates vaccine for clergy
(RNS) — The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandated Monday (Aug. 23) that all clergy and staff in the diocese..
Nadia Bolz-Weber installed as ELCA’s first pastor of public witness
(RNS) — The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber was installed this weekend as the first pastor of public witness for the largest Lutheran denomination..
As vulnerable Afghans flee Kabul, US faith groups prepare to aid them
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In early August, as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah reported to Fort Lee, an Army post..
“You can’t think yourself out of racism”: Black religion scholars call for conversion
(RNS) — Recently an assistant professor of African studies at a Catholic university was preparing to oversee a doctoral student’s oral examination..
Back-to-school time influences congregations’ decisions on masking and meeting
(RNS) — At Hopwood Christian Church near Elizabethton, in eastern Tennessee, many in the congregation hoped the worst of the pandemic might..
Infrastructure bill includes energy efficiency grants for houses of worship
(RNS) — Buried on Page 1,729 of the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday (Aug. 10) in a..