News
Healing the young women harmed by Boko Haram
Unlike the Chibok schoolgirls for whom the #BringBackOurGirls campaign rallied, thousands of others garnered no headlines when they were abducted. All too often no one welcomes them home.
LifeWay Christian stores to close by end of 2019
The Southern Baptist publishing arm, which has had disputes with authors and artists over content in the past, will focus on digital sales.
Muslim inmates charge Arkansas with violating their religious liberty
One Muslim prisoner had his religious accommodations taken away when he protested the combined services with the Nation of Islam and Nation of Gods and Earths, groups that follow distinct religious teachings.
Number of nones equals evangelicals, Catholics
A recent analysis of survey data also showed an uptick in the percentage of mainline Protestants—though more years will need to pass to see if the increase continues.
New churches a refuge for disaffected ‘dones’
At nontraditional congregations popping up across the country, many people have stories of rocky relationships with church. But they felt something was missing when they left.
Holocaust educators seek ways to preserve power of survivors’ testimony
“To hear that 6 million Jews were murdered is overwhelming,” Rena Quint said. “To hear one story from someone who lived through the Holocaust makes a strong impression.”
Dean Peerman, a Century editor for 60 years, dies at age 87
In March 1965, he and fellow editor Martin E. Marty participated in the second civil rights march in Selma, Alabama.
Rohingya refugees refuse repatriation to Myanmar as persecution fears continue
“Once we see that our relatives in Myanmar have gotten full citizenship rights,” said one community leader, “no one will have to force us to go back.”
Faith-based refugee aid groups struggle to stay open
Over the past two years, the nation’s refugee resettlement system has been slowly dismantled.
Clergy housing allowance is constitutional, appeals court rules
Leaders of the Freedom From Religion Foundation argue that the allowance discriminates in favor of ministers.
New Zealand mosque shootings prompt vigils and vigilance
Civil rights advocates called for curbing hate speech online, as the perpetrator’s video continued to circulate on social media.
Anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks increasing across Europe
“Our country,” said French president Emmanuel Macron, “like Europe as a whole and almost all Western democracies, is facing a resurgence of anti-Semitism not seen since the Second World War.”
Zimbabwe church leaders seek peaceful resolution to political turmoil
Evan Mawarire, a pastor and pro-democracy activist, was arrested in a crackdown on peaceful protesters. The following month, churches convened a dialogue with the president’s administration and others.
John Paul Lederach to receive Niwano Peace Prize
Lederach is being honored for his four-decade-long peacebuilding career.
Vatican’s global summit on protecting children lays out principles for reform
Soon after the Vatican summit, in which a Nigerian leader spoke of the need to change how the church responds to abuse, secular courts announced convictions of two cardinals.
U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in case about war memorial cross
The Bladensburg Peace Cross, which bears the names of 49 men who died in World War I, is on land now owned by a Maryland government commission.
Future unclear after UMC votes to keep rules on LGBTQ couples, clergy
The United Methodist Church retained current language in its Book of Discipline—but it might not be enforced, and churches are considering leaving from both sides.
Conflict between brothers splits Uganda’s thriving Abayudaya Jewish community
Gershom Sizomu is rabbi of the community of 2,000 people that belongs to the Conservative movement, while his brother has led a splinter group seeking to convert to Orthodox Judaism.
What do relics mean to believers today?
A six-month U.S. tour, The Heart of a Priest, is offering the chance to venerate a relic of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney.
New tax targets employee parking offered by congregations, nonprofits
Even when a congregation is below the threshold the IRS has established, determining that requires a fair amount of computation.