Chaos erupts over Southern Baptist legal filing in Louisville abuse lawsuit
A friend-of-the-court filing has led to questions of whether the Southern Baptist Convention has changed its ways in dealing with abuse.
By Bob SmietanaHaredi Jews, exempt from Israel’s military service mandate, sign up to fight
“This isn’t a drill. This is an actual war,” one ultra-Orthodox Israeli said. “Anyone who isn’t studying Torah full time should contribute.”
By Michele ChabinFBI director: U.S. must be vigilant on threats amid Israel-Gaza war
Many types of extremists, from the far left to the far right, exhibit strains of antisemitism, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told lawmakers.
By Devlin Barrett, Perry Stein and Nick MiroffVatican synod ends with divide over women deacons and LGBTQ+
The most contentious topic at the month-long synod was how and whether to welcome LGBTQ+ Catholics.
By Anthony Faiola and Stefano PitrelliMike Johnson suggests his election as House speaker ordained by God
Johnson, who peppered his first speech as speaker with religious references, has a history of challenging interpretations of the separation of church and state.
By Jack JenkinsVatican summit tackles women’s ordination with a nod from Pope Francis
The Synod on Synodality has wrestled with the question of female Catholic clergy, but the final decision will be up to the pope.
By Claire GiangraveHistoric church sheltering civilians struck in deadly Gaza City blast
The Church of St. Porphyrius, Gaza’s oldest active church, was sheltering hundreds of Muslims and Christians displaced by the war, according to religious officials.
By Miriam Berger, Evan Hill and Kelsey AblesUkrainian lawmakers move to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country
A bill pending in the Ukranian parliament would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those that have leadership outside Ukraine.
By David I. KleinIslamic Relief, other charities call for cease-fire to allow aid to reach Gaza
Aid groups are doing what they can but worry that time is running out to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
By Bob SmietanaPalestinian Americans decry negative media portrayals, fear hate crimes
“This is reminding me a bit of how it felt post-9/11,” Palestinian activist and policy analyst Laila El-Haddad told Religion News Service.
By Kathryn Post and Roxanne StoneLawmaker’s ‘Dharma Caucus’ stirs suspicion from Hindu and Sikh groups
The move by Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) raised eyebrows for Hindu Americans who are concerned with the American political courtship of members of the Bharatiya Janata Party of India.
By Richa KarmarkarVatican seeks to defuse tensions with Israel as it offers mediation in the Holy Land
The Israeli foreign minister asked for ‘an unequivocal and clear condemnation’ of Hamas by the Holy See.
By Claire GiangraveAs caste bill meets defeat, Hindu Americans on both sides make their voices heard
In the last two decades, Hindu Americans have mobilized through a number of new advocacy organizations to vote and run for office on issues of particular interest to the faith community.
By Richa KarmarkarU.S. evangelical leaders support Israel’s right to self-defense
Southern Baptists and other evangelical leaders call on policymakers to protect the lives of innocents and say Hamas, not Palestinians, is the enemy.
By Bob SmietanaIs religion good for you? The answer is complicated, new report finds.
A review of 10 years of global polling looks at the complicated connection between spirituality and health.
By Bob SmietanaAs synod on Catholic Church’s future begins, abuse survivors demand equal time
Victim advocacy groups are asking participants at this month’s Synod on Synodality to enact real change.
By Claire GiangraveTrump, once ‘most pro-life president,’ riles antiabortion activists
Trump’s recent comments ‘only serve as an avenue for pro-lifers to find another candidate to support,’ said anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson.
By Jack JenkinsU.S. faith groups do not view climate change as a crisis, new poll finds
Among White evangelicals, the view that the Earth is in crisis dropped — from 13 percent in 2014 to 8 percent today.
By Yonat ShimronPope Francis scolds U.S., ‘irresponsible’ Western lifestyle in climate plea
The “green pope” denounced the scale of emissions from high-consumption cultures and argued that the world’s poor were paying the price.
By Anthony Faiola and Chico HarlanBankruptcy court pauses sexual abuse suits against Catholic parishes, schools
A judge granted the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s request to block such suits as part of its bankruptcy case.
By Fredrick Kunkle