The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine mandated Monday (Aug. 23) that all clergy and staff in the diocese be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September. It is one of the first COVID-19 vaccine mandates for clergy…
Israeli rabbis ask pope to clarify remarks on Jewish law
Israel’s top Jewish religious authorities have told the Vatican they are concerned about comments that Pope Francis made about their books of sacred law and have asked for a clarification.
Democrats spotlight abortion in bid to save Newsom
Democratic activists working to save Gov. Gavin Newsom from being thrown out of office by California voters next month are seizing on an issue better known for energizing voters on the right: abortion access.
Some Southern California church leaders pushing political extremes
When GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia came to Southern California in July, three secular venues canceled her planned political rally over her support for far-right policies. So Pastor Tim Thompson handed Greene the microphone during a Sunday service…
Federal judge says ‘no’ (again) to South Dakota’s mandated abortion counseling
A state-backed effort to revive abortion restrictions passed a decade ago by the South Dakota Legislature, but blocked by a federal judge, has been scuttled once again by the same federal judge.
Appeals Court rejects religious liberty challenge to mask requirement for grades K-5 in religious schools
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to issue an injunction halting a mask mandate for schoolchildren grades K-5 attending religious schools. The court rejected a Free Exercise challenge brought by Resurrection School, a Catholic elementary school in Lansing,…
Priests navigate Catholics’ fears and consciences in vaccine exemption pleas
For the Rev. James Baron, pastor of Holy Apostles Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, it’s the responsibility of the church to advocate for the conscience of others.
What is sharia law? And how is the Taliban using it in Afghanistan?
Days after taking over Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul, the Taliban claimed it is dedicated to rights for women under Islamic religious law, or sharia law.
With black flags, Sri Lanka Christians protest bombing probe
Sri Lanka’s Christian community hoisted black flags at churches and homes on Saturday to express anger over the government’s investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks, which killed 269 people.
Jesse Jackson and wife Jacqueline hospitalized with COVID-19
The Rev. Jesse Jackson and his wife, Jacqueline, have been hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19, according to a statement released on Saturday (Aug. 21).
Nadia Bolz-Weber installed as ELCA’s first pastor of public witness
The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber was installed this weekend as the first pastor of public witness for the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.
Hundreds of cases are being reviewed after police officers involved were relieved of duty over racist and anti-Semitic messages
Two former officers with the Torrance Police Department were charged Thursday with vandalism for allegedly spray-painting an impounded vehicle with a swastika, authorities said.