News
Australian archbishop convicted of covering up child sexual abuse
The test case was another step toward holding the church to account for a global abuse crisis.
White House initiative aims to increase faith groups' presence in government
The White House said agencies and executive departments that do not have a faith-based office will have a designated liaison to the new initiative.
U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem fulfills prophecy for some, causes mourning for others
The day after the embassy move was the anniversary of Israel's founding—a day Palestinians call the catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes.
Poor People's Campaign engages in 40 days of demonstrations
William Barber II and Liz Theoharis are leading the re-launched national movement, started in 1968.
Interfaith efforts move from mere tolerance to deeper partnerships
A coalition of Muslim students highlighting the Jewish roots in Moroccan culture, and an evangelical pastor and imam creating a nationwide grassroots network are among those partnering against extremism.
Interfaith clergy group in Montana counters neo-Nazi hate
A clergy group formed supporting a rabbi in the ski resort town of Whitefish, where white supremacist groups targeted her and other local Jewish people.
Loren Mead, founder of the Alban Institute, dies at age 88
The author of The Once and Future Church was part of the shift to looking at congregations in their contexts—not just the church in general.
Ugandan faith leaders weigh idea of accepting Israel's African refugees
Israel's government has offered financial incentives for thousands of asylum seekers to leave the country voluntarily—threatening to detain or deport them if they didn't.
In historic votes, Lutherans elect two African American women bishops
Patricia A. Davenport and Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld will each lead a regional body in the predominantly white mainline Protestant denomination.
Black Church Food Security Network brings fresh food to Baltimore
A group of Baltimore congregations is connecting with black farmers to promote healthy eating and economic empowerment.
United Methodist bishops encourage local option for same-sex marriage
The bishops recommended removing prohibitions on same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy in the global denomination's Book of Discipline—while allowing new regional rules.
Church acts as mediator in Nicaragua unrest, addresses corruption in Honduran government
Nicaraguan church leaders are among those decrying a violent response to protests. And in Honduras, a Jesuit-run radio station has charged the government with becoming a dictatorship.
Baylor seminary names 12 leading preachers among English speakers
The seminary's Lake Center for Effective Preaching surveyed homiletics professors and chose from more than 800 nominees.
Immigrants reinvigorate Methodist churches in Britain, home of tradition's founders
Congregations that might've closed their doors received an influx of Methodists from West Africa and elsewhere.
Black liberation theologian James Cone dies at 79
In portraying Christ’s blackness, he upended the assumptions of a field dominated by white theologians and helped spawn other theories of liberation.
Despite being targets of violence, Congolese priests and aid workers continue to confront crisis
Several priests and aid workers have been kidnapped, and earlier this month a priest was murdered. Conflict in several regions has left millions in need.
U.S. Assemblies of God elects first woman executive in more than a century
Donna L. Barrett is stepping into a top leadership role in the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination.
Francis admits misjudgment in Chile sex abuse case
The pope said he lacked full information about a bishop, but other Chilean bishops said they told him the truth. He summoned them all for a rare emergency meeting.
Church of England goes cashless for worshipers’ contributions
With fewer people carrying cash, churches plan to use special card readers for collecting fees and the offering.
Christians were key bloc in Egypt’s election
Many Copts fear a resurgence of militant power more than the autocratic tendencies of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.