WEATHER ALERT
Lebanese worldwide fear for their homeland and loved ones as violence escalates
Read full article: Lebanese worldwide fear for their homeland and loved ones as violence escalatesFor generations, many people in Lebanon have wrestled with whether to leave to seek better opportunities or escape various times of tumult.
A faith is on the edge of vanishing in Georgia after being exiled from Russia centuries ago
Read full article: A faith is on the edge of vanishing in Georgia after being exiled from Russia centuries agoMembers of a pacifist Christian sect that emerged in 18th century Russia were exiled to Georgia about 200 years ago for refusing to serve in the tsarist army and rejecting orthodox rituals.
Mormon church leaders encourage civility as Trump and Harris rally religious voters
Read full article: Mormon church leaders encourage civility as Trump and Harris rally religious votersA top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is urging members to “avoid what is harsh and hateful” in the heat of election season.
Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demons
Read full article: Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demonsAmong the nation’s charismatic Christians, there’s one highly politicized faction in particular that believes the reelection of former President Donald Trump would be a win in a literal spiritual war of angels in demons.
Mormon faith pushes ahead with global temple building boom despite cool reception in Las Vegas
Read full article: Mormon faith pushes ahead with global temple building boom despite cool reception in Las VegasA worldwide building boom of big, bright Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temples is meeting pushback in a place not known for moderation.
Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for women
Read full article: Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for womenPope Francis' big Catholic reform project has opened with widespread calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility in the church topping the agenda.
Man is sentenced to 35 years for shooting 2 Jewish men as they left Los Angeles synagogues
Read full article: Man is sentenced to 35 years for shooting 2 Jewish men as they left Los Angeles synagoguesA California man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for shooting and wounding two Jewish men outside Los Angeles synagogues last year.
It's a 'very difficult time' for U.S. Jews as High Holy Days and Oct. 7 anniversary coincide
Read full article: It's a 'very difficult time' for U.S. Jews as High Holy Days and Oct. 7 anniversary coincideJudaism’s High Holy Days annually provide an emotional mix of celebration, introspection and atonement for Jews worldwide.
When do the Jewish High Holidays start? The 10-day season begins this week with Rosh Hashana
Read full article: When do the Jewish High Holidays start? The 10-day season begins this week with Rosh HashanaRosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, starts at sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and continues through the evening of Friday, Oct. 4.
Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churches
Read full article: Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churchesConservative Christian churches in California and prominent figures around the United States like activist Charlie Kirk are urging congregations to get involved in ballot gathering or ballot harvesting.
Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victims
Read full article: Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victimsPope Francis has doubled down on his traditional views on abortion and women during his in-flight news conference coming home from Belgium.
Jews and Catholics warn against Trump's latest loyalty test for religious voters
Read full article: Jews and Catholics warn against Trump's latest loyalty test for religious votersFormer President Donald Trump recently reissued his loyalty test to religious Americans, declaring that he can best protect their freedoms while preemptively blaming some if he loses the presidential election in November.
Thousands gather in Ethiopia's capital to celebrate a religious festival. Many are thinking of peace
Read full article: Thousands gather in Ethiopia's capital to celebrate a religious festival. Many are thinking of peaceThousands of Ethiopians have gathered in the capital city to celebrate an annual religious festival distinguished by the lighting of bonfires according to the beliefs of the local Orthodox Christian faithful.
Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious art
Read full article: Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious artAn unholy argument over a hymn has struck a discordant note in the preparations for the main event of Pope Francis' trip to Belgium.
Finding Mr. Right and converting to Judaism led Erin Foster to write a fresh, original rom-com
Read full article: Finding Mr. Right and converting to Judaism led Erin Foster to write a fresh, original rom-comErin Foster was inspired by her own experience of meeting her husband and converting to Judaism to create the new series “Nobody Wants This."
Georgia's anti-LGBTQ+ measures raise fears of hate crimes in the conservative South Caucasus nation
Read full article: Georgia's anti-LGBTQ+ measures raise fears of hate crimes in the conservative South Caucasus nationGeorgia's parliament last week gave final approval to a bill that severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights in the conservative South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people.
Their churches no longer feel safe. Now Nicaraguans are taking their worship home
Read full article: Their churches no longer feel safe. Now Nicaraguans are taking their worship homeAs President Daniel Ortega has moved aggressively to silence critics of his administration in Nicaragua, faith leaders have denounced their surveillance, harassment and threats at the hands of the state.
Judge lets over 8,000 Catholic employers deny worker protections for abortion and fertility care
Read full article: Judge lets over 8,000 Catholic employers deny worker protections for abortion and fertility careA federal judge is allowing more than 8,000 Catholic employers nationwide to reject government regulations that protect workers seeking abortions and fertility care.
Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to retain his flock in Europe
Read full article: Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to retain his flock in EuropePope Francis will be visiting Belgium on a trip starting Thursday, facing a flock ravaged by countless scandals of priest sexual abuse and dwindling in the face of modernity, where women and gays insist on an equal role and rights.
Most Hispanic Americans — whether Catholic or Protestant —support abortion access: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Most Hispanic Americans — whether Catholic or Protestant —support abortion access: AP-NORC pollFor decades, some political analysts have sought to depict Hispanic Americans as “socially conservative” — and indeed many of them are.
Malaysian police rescue 187 more children as sex abuse probe of Islamic group deepens
Read full article: Malaysian police rescue 187 more children as sex abuse probe of Islamic group deepensMalaysian police say they have rescued 187 more children and raided locations nationwide linked to an Islamic business group that is being investigated for alleged sexual assault of children.
Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illness
Read full article: Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illnessThe Vatican has confirmed that plans remain in place for Pope Francis to go to Belgium and Luxembourg.
An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrine
Read full article: An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrineAn estimated 180,000 motorcyclists gathered at Our Lady of Fatima shrine in central Portugal on Sunday for the ninth annual Pilgrimage of the Blessing of Helmets.
Are Trump and Harris particularly Christian? That's not what most Americans would say: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Are Trump and Harris particularly Christian? That's not what most Americans would say: AP-NORC pollVice President Kamala Harris is a Baptist who was influenced by religious traditions in her mother’s home country of India.
Euphoric two years ago, US anti-abortion movement is now divided and worried as election nears
Read full article: Euphoric two years ago, US anti-abortion movement is now divided and worried as election nearsJust two years ago, leading anti-abortion activists were euphoric after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, thus ending the nationwide right to abortion.
Takeaways from AP's report on churches starting schools in voucher states
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's report on churches starting schools in voucher statesSome churches are launching new Christian schools on their campuses, seeking to give parents more education options that align with religious values.
Kamala Harris steps up outreach to Mormon voters in battleground Arizona
Read full article: Kamala Harris steps up outreach to Mormon voters in battleground ArizonaVice President Kamala Harris is stepping up her efforts to win over voters who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appeared
Read full article: Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appearedThe Vatican has given the green light for Catholics to continue flocking to a southern Bosnian village where children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary.
Houston Muslims introduce Spanish-speaking Islamic education, community center in Alief
Read full article: Houston Muslims introduce Spanish-speaking Islamic education, community center in AliefIn a city with one of the largest Muslim populations and Spanish speakers, it's only fitting Spanish-speaking Islamic education center called Centro Islamico would exist in Houston. But Latino/Hispanic Muslims in America have been around longer than you might know.
An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been released
Read full article: An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been releasedThe U.S. State Department says a Christian pastor from California has been freed from China after nearly 20 years behind bars and is back home in the U.S. Advocacy groups say 68-year-old David Lin was detained after he entered China in 2006, was convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison.
Lutherans in Walz's Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election season
Read full article: Lutherans in Walz's Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election seasonMidwest Lutheranism has entered the national political limelight since Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz became Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Haitians in Ohio find solidarity at church after chaotic week of false pet-eating claims
Read full article: Haitians in Ohio find solidarity at church after chaotic week of false pet-eating claimsFor many Haitian immigrants, Sunday mornings in Springfield, Ohio, are spent joyfully worshipping God as they sing and pray in their native Creole.
87 and hobbled, Pope Francis goes off-script in Asia and reminds world he can still draw a crowd
Read full article: 87 and hobbled, Pope Francis goes off-script in Asia and reminds world he can still draw a crowdPope Francis' longest and farthest trip has proven that despite his age, ailments and eight hours of jet lag, Pope Francis can still pull off an ambitious trip to Asia.
This new Mexican blessed is considered a protector of life from conception. Who was Moisés Lira?
Read full article: This new Mexican blessed is considered a protector of life from conception. Who was Moisés Lira?Mexico’s Catholic Church has a new addition to its ranks of “blessed,” with the beatification of the Rev. Moisés Lira.
Takeaways from AP's report updating the cult massacre that claimed hundreds of lives in Kenya
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's report updating the cult massacre that claimed hundreds of lives in KenyaIn one of the deadliest cult-related massacres ever, the remains of more than 430 victims have been recovered since police raided Good News International Church in a forest in Kenya.
The church was named Good News. Hundreds of members died in a cult massacre that haunts survivors
Read full article: The church was named Good News. Hundreds of members died in a cult massacre that haunts survivorsIn one of the deadliest cult-related massacres ever, more than 430 bodies have been recovered since police raided Good News International Church in a forest in Kenya.
A review of some of Pope Francis' most memorable quotes over his papacy
Read full article: A review of some of Pope Francis' most memorable quotes over his papacyFlying back to Rome from a lengthy trip to Asia, Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration.
Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life' and urges Catholics to vote for 'lesser evil'
Read full article: Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life' and urges Catholics to vote for 'lesser evil'Pope Francis has strongly criticized both U.S. presidential candidates over what he calls anti-life policies on abortion and migration.
Measure to repeal Nebraska’s private school funding law should appear on the ballot, court rules
Read full article: Measure to repeal Nebraska’s private school funding law should appear on the ballot, court rulesThe Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that a measure seeking to repeal a new conservative-backed law providing taxpayer money for private school tuition should appear on the state's November ballot.
Takeaways from AP's story about a Ferguson protester who became a prominent racial-justice activist
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's story about a Ferguson protester who became a prominent racial-justice activistAfter Michael Brown Jr. was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, several nationally prominent Black religious leaders arrived, thinking they could help lead the protest movement that had surfaced.
Ferguson activist raised in the Black Church showed pastors how to aid young protesters
Read full article: Ferguson activist raised in the Black Church showed pastors how to aid young protestersWhen the Black religious establishment arrived on the scene in Ferguson, Missouri, after the 2014 killing of Michael Brown Jr., protest organizer Brittany Packnett quickly realized something.
At this West Texas church, “the Lord’s work” is helping the poor, not rewriting state law
Read full article: At this West Texas church, “the Lord’s work” is helping the poor, not rewriting state lawLed by co-pastors Joe and Dawn Weaks, Connection Christian Church, a 118-year-old congregation in Odessa, has transformed while keeping true to its legacy of helping the community.
Filipino televangelist pleads not guilty to child abuse and human trafficking charges
Read full article: Filipino televangelist pleads not guilty to child abuse and human trafficking chargesA Filipino televangelist who calls himself the “anointed son of God” and once claimed to have stopped an earthquake has pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse and human trafficking.
Pope ends Asia trip with same message at the start: Interfaith tolerance to heal troubled world
Read full article: Pope ends Asia trip with same message at the start: Interfaith tolerance to heal troubled worldPope Francis is concluding his visit to Singapore by praising its tradition of interfaith harmony.
Pope marvels at Singapore's skyscrapers and asks that the lowest migrant workers not be forgotten
Read full article: Pope marvels at Singapore's skyscrapers and asks that the lowest migrant workers not be forgottenPope Francis has praised Singapore’s economic development as a testament to human ingenuity.
Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversy
Read full article: Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversyTrustees for the Southern Baptists' policy arm affirmed the leadership of their president in the face of criticism from some church members.
Maryland Supreme Court hears arguments on child sex abuse lawsuits
Read full article: Maryland Supreme Court hears arguments on child sex abuse lawsuitsThe Supreme Court of Maryland is considering the constitutionality of a 2023 law that ended the state’s statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits following a report that exposed widespread wrongdoing within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
How does the huge crowd for the pope's Mass in East Timor compare to others?
Read full article: How does the huge crowd for the pope's Mass in East Timor compare to others?The estimated crowd of 600,000 people Pope Francis' Mass in East Timor is nearly half of the small Southeast Asian country's population.
Francis will be only the second pope to visit Singapore, one of the wealthiest nations
Read full article: Francis will be only the second pope to visit Singapore, one of the wealthiest nationsWhen Pope Francis arrives Wednesday in Asia’s financial powerhouse Singapore for the last leg of a four-nation tour, he is expected to bring his message of unity and hope to one of the world’s richest nations.
Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor draws 600,000 people, nearly half the population
Read full article: Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor draws 600,000 people, nearly half the populationThe Vatican says some 600,000 people have attended Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor, or nearly half the country’s population.
Catholic leaders raise concerns over judicial reform pushed by Mexico's president
Read full article: Catholic leaders raise concerns over judicial reform pushed by Mexico's presidentMexico’s Catholic leaders have raised their concerns over a controversial judicial reform pushed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
A Dutch court convicts 2 Pakistani men over death threats to anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders
Read full article: A Dutch court convicts 2 Pakistani men over death threats to anti-Islam lawmaker Geert WildersA Dutch court has convicted two Pakistani men in their absence over calls to their followers to murder anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom that won last year’s general election in the Netherlands.
Takeaways from AP's report on the dilemmas facing Palestinian Americans ahead of US election
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's report on the dilemmas facing Palestinian Americans ahead of US electionMany Palestinian Americans, in recent months, have been reeling from the double blow of the rising Palestinian death toll in Gaza and their own government’s support for Israel in the war against Hamas.
Grief over Gaza and qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian Americans
Read full article: Grief over Gaza and qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian AmericansFor months, many Palestinian Americans have been contending with the double whammy of the rising Palestinian death toll and suffering in Gaza and their own government’s support for Israel in the war.
Pope cheers East Timor's recovery while acknowledging a bishop's abuse scandal
Read full article: Pope cheers East Timor's recovery while acknowledging a bishop's abuse scandalPope Francis has indirectly acknowledged the abuse scandal in East Timor involving its bishop and Nobel Peace Prize-winning independence hero.
Activists criticize high cost of Pope Francis' visit to East Timor, one of the poorest nations
Read full article: Activists criticize high cost of Pope Francis' visit to East Timor, one of the poorest nationsEast Timor pulled out all stops for Pope Francis’ historic visit to one of the world’s youngest and poorest countries to the tune of $12 million, drawing rebuke from activists and human rights organizations.
Temple or museum? How Diego Rivera designed a place to honor Mexico's pre-Hispanic art
Read full article: Temple or museum? How Diego Rivera designed a place to honor Mexico's pre-Hispanic artIn the 1940s, Mexican artist Diego Rivera had a dream: to build a sacred place to preserve and display his lifelong collection of pre-Hispanic art.
Maui's toxic debris could fill 5 football fields 5 stories deep. Where will it end up?
Read full article: Maui's toxic debris could fill 5 football fields 5 stories deep. Where will it end up?The debris and ash that remained after a deadly wildfire last year decimated a historic Maui town now sits in a temporary dump site.
Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'
Read full article: Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'Pope Francis has called for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea to be particularly close to women who have been abused and marginalized.
Connecticut pastor elected president of nation's largest Black Protestant denomination
Read full article: Connecticut pastor elected president of nation's largest Black Protestant denominationA Connecticut pastor will be the new president of the largest Black Protestant denomination in the U.S. His election brings to an end a leadership election that stirred division among members.
Pope to meet Papua New Guinea Catholics who embrace both Christianity and Indigenous beliefs
Read full article: Pope to meet Papua New Guinea Catholics who embrace both Christianity and Indigenous beliefsPope Francis’s visit to Papua New Guinea will take him to a remote part of the South Pacific island nation where Christianity is a recent addition to traditional spiritual beliefs developed over millenia that remain deeply ingrained.
Pope heads to Papua New Guinea after final Mass in Indonesia before an overflow crowd of 100,000
Read full article: Pope heads to Papua New Guinea after final Mass in Indonesia before an overflow crowd of 100,000Pope Francis is wrapping up his visit to Indonesia after celebrating Mass before an overflow crowd of 100,000.
Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania trip
Read full article: Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania tripPope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Understanding Muslim funeral rites in light of Harris County Pct. 4 Cpl. Maher Husseini’s death
Read full article: Understanding Muslim funeral rites in light of Harris County Pct. 4 Cpl. Maher Husseini’s deathJust days after a Muslim Harris Co. Pct. 4 Constable Deputy was gunned down in southwest Houston, many might be wondering why he is being laid to rest so suddenly. This is common in Islam, and to learn more, we turned to religious leaders like Imam Tyeree El-Amin Boyd to help break it down,
Maine law thwarts impact of school choice decision, lawsuit says
Read full article: Maine law thwarts impact of school choice decision, lawsuit saysA Christian school at the center of a Supreme Court decision that requires Maine to include religious schools in a state tuition program is challenging a state antidiscrimination law.
Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet
Read full article: Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planetPope Francis has joined the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque in pledging to work together to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the planet.
Takeaways from AP's report on JD Vance and the Catholic postliberals in his circle of influence
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's report on JD Vance and the Catholic postliberals in his circle of influenceOhio Sen. JD Vance’s 2019 conversion to Catholicism put him in close touch with a Catholic intellectual movement known as postliberalism.
JD Vance's Catholicism helped shape his views. So did this little-known group of Catholic thinkers
Read full article: JD Vance's Catholicism helped shape his views. So did this little-known group of Catholic thinkersOhio Sen. JD Vance’s 2019 conversion to Catholicism helped shape his political worldview.
The AP Interview: East Timor's president says the pope's visit isn't time to dwell on past sins
Read full article: The AP Interview: East Timor's president says the pope's visit isn't time to dwell on past sinsThe president of East Timor sees Pope Francis’ upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asia’s youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation.
In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of 'harmony in diversity,' fight extremism
Read full article: In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of 'harmony in diversity,' fight extremismPope Francis has urged Indonesia to live up to its promise of “harmony in diversity” and fight religious intolerance.
Is Usha Vance's Hindu identity an asset or a liability to the Trump-Vance campaign?
Read full article: Is Usha Vance's Hindu identity an asset or a liability to the Trump-Vance campaign?Usha Vance's presence in the Trump-Vance campaign has energized some Indian Americans, particularly Hindu American conservatives.
Pope embarks on longest, farthest and most challenging trip to Asia, with China in the background
Read full article: Pope embarks on longest, farthest and most challenging trip to Asia, with China in the backgroundPope Francis is making the longest, farthest and most challenging trip of his pontificate when he goes to Asia and Oceania this week.
Catholic diocese sues US government, worried some foreign-born priests might be forced to leave
Read full article: Catholic diocese sues US government, worried some foreign-born priests might be forced to leaveFor more than a year, religious organizations have lobbied Congress and the Biden administration to fix a sudden procedural change in how the government processes green cards for religious workers from abroad.
One day, their children didn't make it back home. Faith helps these Mexican mothers' search for them
Read full article: One day, their children didn't make it back home. Faith helps these Mexican mothers' search for themAccording to official data, at least 115,000 people have disappeared in Mexico since 1952.
What to know about the rescued hostage's Bedouin community in Israel
Read full article: What to know about the rescued hostage's Bedouin community in IsraelThe rescue from Gaza of hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi, who belongs to the Bedouin community in Israel, has put the focus on a minority group that has largely existed on the margins of Israeli society.
Afghan refugee accused in a case that shocked Albuquerque’s Muslim community reaches plea agreement
Read full article: Afghan refugee accused in a case that shocked Albuquerque’s Muslim community reaches plea agreementAn Afghan refugee who was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder in one of three fatal shootings that shook Albuquerque’s Muslim community has reached a plea agreement that could resolve criminal charges stemming from the other two killings.