13 emerging faith leaders who made their mark in 2023
2023's rising stars in religion are loud, proud and defiant.
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For LGBTQ Catholics, new declaration on blessings is welcome — but complicated
Some LGBTQ couples were blessed by Catholic priests before the Vatican declaration came down — whether or not the Vatican approved.
Church for ‘nones’: Meet some emerging anti-dogma spiritual collectives
These spiritual communities discard doctrine, prefer questions over answers and have no intention of converting anybody to anything.
The spiritual lessons of ‘The Crown’
The history isn’t always right but ‘The Crown’ is always a good family story. And there are lessons for the soul in the telling.
Christmas celebrations canceled, Christians in the Holy Land still find hope in the season
'Do not let death rejoice in its victory over us,' said one writer.
5 things the Catholic Church’s document on same-sex blessings does (and doesn’t) say
The Vatican approved same-sex blessings, but there are a few caveats.
With Pope Francis’ encouragement, Vatican allows blessings for same-sex couples
'God never turns away anyone who approaches him!' read the document issued by the Vatican's doctrinal department.
Church of England to introduce same-sex blessing, as it faces ‘disestablishment’ bill in Parliament
The prayers may be too little too late on an issue that has long alienated the church from politicians and peers.
Lawsuit: Priest says first gas execution in US poses threat to religious liberty
The Rev. Jeff Hood, spiritual adviser to Kenneth Smith, argued the restrictions imposed during the execution would violate Hood’s right to the free exercise of religion.
New documentary tells the story of queer religious families in the Midwest
The movie profiles queer families and individuals living in the Midwest, grappling with their identity in a conservative and traditional environment.
Preaching to polarized congregations: A responsibility and a challenge, clergy say
'It's not about going from red to blue to purple,' Andrew Hanauer of One America Movement advises clergy. ‘It's about going above the partisan divisions.’
Ahead of White House Hanukkah celebration, a wave of faith-led cease-fire demonstrations
The demonstrators, who were later arrested, noted the ongoing Jewish holiday, shouting, 'No Hanukkah to celebrate, cease-fire cannot wait!'
Parties canceled. Celebrations toned down. Hanukkah won’t be the same this year.
With the Israeli military in the midst of a destructive showdown in its war with Hamas, many U.S. Jews aren’t in the mood for triumphant Hanukkah cheer.
Pope Francis asks theologians to ‘demasculinize’ the church
(RNS) – ‘Women have a way of reflecting on theology that is different from us men,’ Francis told the International Theological Commission.
In ‘Unapologetic,’ young Palestinian-Israeli podcasters advocate for a third narrative
In the podcast, launched amid the Israel-Hamas War, the co-hosts imagine a role in the peace process that is particular to the Arab community in Israel.
Bethlehem pastors arrive in DC, urge lawmakers to embrace cease-fire, peace plan
'All we want for Christmas is a constant and comprehensive cease-fire and an end to this war,' said the Rev. Munther Isaac, pastor of Bethlehem’s Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church.
Why Black women like Yolanda Pierce are rising to lead top theology schools
The academy is raising up the voices it once blocked.
Israeli, Palestinian, Muslim or Jewish: Some pain doesn’t fit the story we want to hear
People of faith are called to have compassion, regardless of our preferred political narratives, opines Michael Woolf.
Charlottesville’s Robert E. Lee statue melted down
‘It’s taking that culture of death and repurposing it for the sake of life, telling this very long story of resistance to that white supremacist culture,’ said the Rev. Isaac Collins, a Methodist minister who attended the melting.
Vatican summit tackles women’s ordination with a nod from Pope Francis
The synod on synodality gets the ball rolling on the question of female clergy, but the final decision will be up to Pope Francis.
Canterbury mourns ‘appalling’ loss after Anglican hospital hit in Gaza
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby spoke as news emerged of a deadly rocket attack on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Why you’re not seeing Palestinian suffering
How is the conflict in the Middle East being presented?
American Jews listen to harrowing stories of death and disarray from Israel
A daring rescue of a family that had barricaded in their home during a Hamas-led attack is one of many stories now being shared in the American Jewish community.
Faith-based health organizations defend at-risk AIDS initiative from Republicans
Many faith-based organizations opposed to abortion are fighting for PEPFAR, an AIDS program that some Republicans now claim provides abortion services.
World Communion Sunday is about more than Christian unity
World Communion Sunday should be understood as a ritual that helps us envision ourselves beyond our own religious, racial, gender or national tribe and unified instead by a vision of human and planetary flourishing; a realization that all are one.