News
Episcopal Church backs new Lakota translation of prayer book
Funding liturgical translations also helps preserve indigenous languages at risk of being lost.
Syrian migrants build bridges with Swiss church
Anna Shammas and Rami Ziadeh are founders and pastors of an Arabic-speaking United Methodist congregation that reaches out to other migrants—and to the German-speakers in the church.
Global Peace Forum on Korea brings together diplomats, church leaders, and activists
It was the first time diplomats from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea joined such an event.
U.S. Catholic bishops take steps to respond to sexual abuse crisis
Critics called on the bishops to allow outside investigators full access to church sexual abuse records and support changes to statutes of limitations.
Russian Orthodox challenge plan to grant autonomy to church in Ukraine
The church in Ukraine has been tied to the Moscow Patriarchate for hundreds of years, although many Ukrainian parishes have split off over the past two decades.
Israel to approve immigration for 1,000 Ethiopian Jews
Israel is home to approximately 144,000 Jews of Ethiopian descent, the majority of whom immigrated to Israel in the 1980s and 1990s.
New Testament and preaching scholar Gail O’Day dies at age 63
O’Day was known for her integrity in biblical interpretation.
Vatican and China make deal on bishops
The development comes nearly seven decades after the Holy See and Beijing severed official relations.
In Albania, new Turkish-funded mosque stirs old resentments
The Great Mosque of Tirana is being built in “neo-Ottoman” style—in a country that rebelled against Ottoman rule.
China continues efforts to exert party control over religious groups
The UN has received reports of Muslim minorities being detained; Christians recount churches raided, crosses destroyed, and Bibles burned.
U.S. funding cuts hurt Lutheran hospital, many services for Palestinians
Augusta Victoria Hospital is among six East Jerusalem hospitals in financial dire straits.
Pope summons bishops to address abuse
The call for the February meeting at the Vatican is believed to be the first of its kind.
Global Hindu gathering sparks debate over pride in religious identity
“I didn’t come here to find an echo chamber,” one attendee said.
A battle over identity of school roils faculty at Catholic University
Earlier this summer, an informal body called the Faculty Assembly took an unofficial vote of no confidence in its president and provost.
With new leadership, Malaysians hope for more interfaith understanding
After voters ousted the party that had ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain, some are looking to improve interfaith relations—starting with getting to know each other.
Faith leaders sue county board over ICE contract vote
Some pastors are also asking whether the county should be profiting from immigration detention.
Pussy Riot cofounder sees protest as a Christian gesture
The Russian punk group headlined Greenbelt, the top U.K. Christian arts and activism festival, this year.
How canon law hinders ending abuse by priests
The 1983 revision put forward by Pope John Paul II to the entire code made it impossible for bishops to dismiss priests.
In Ireland visit, Pope Francis appeals to divided Catholics and struggles with abuse fallout
During closing mass, several thousand people instead attended a “Stand4Truth” protest.
Steed Vernyl Davidson named VP of academic affairs and dean at McCormick Theological Seminary
The faculty voted unanimously to make him dean.