Pope Francis on Tuesday formally created a new lay ministry to encourage greater participation of secular women and men in the teaching of the Catholic faith, especially in places where priests are in short supply.
White Evangelical Pastors Hesitant to Preach Vaccines
As COVID-19 vaccination rates slowed this spring, Americans’ attention turned toward the groups less likely to get the shot, including white evangelicals.
A Pennsylvania Lawmaker and the Resurgence of Christian Nationalism
Doug Mastriano, a Republican state senator from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and parts of neighboring counties, was a little-known figure in state politics before the coronavirus pandemic. But, in the past year, he has led rallies against mask mandates and other public-health protocols, which…
Lutherans elect Megan Rohrer first transgender bishop
The Rev. Megan Rohrer was elected bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Sierra Pacific synod on Saturday (May 8), becoming the first transgender person to serve as bishop in the denomination or in any of the U.S.’ major…
In recent land cases applying RLUIPA, Baltimore County to pay $1.1 million for discrimination, Supreme Court asked to intervene in Minnesota
For the third time in the last three years, Maryland’s Baltimore County has settled a religious discrimination lawsuit with a church over the county’s denial of a land use permit. According to the Baltimore Sun, the county agreed to pay Hunt Valley…
Pope Francis invites faithful to monthlong rosary marathon for end of pandemic
Pope Francis launched a marathon to pray the rosary every day in the Marian month of May to ask for the end of the pandemic. The event highlights the pope’s own devotion to the Virgin Mary and his views on…
Moral Values Mold Public’s View of Journalism
A recent study conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) suggests that a key factor is skepticism about several core journalistic principles.
Fetal “heartbeat” bill, which could ban abortions at six weeks, nears passage in the Legislature
Texas lawmakers are poised to enact sweeping restrictions on access to abortions, prohibiting the procedure before many women know they are pregnant, and opening the door for a potential flood of lawsuits against abortion providers.
United Methodist pastor’s podcast ‘Cross Over Q’ challenges QAnon, comforts its victims
Vicar Derek Kubilus hoped the conspiracy theories would calm down after the 2020 election passed and an apocalyptic event known as “The Storm” didn’t happen.