Takeaways from AP's report on churches starting schools in voucher states
Some churches are launching new Christian schools on their campuses, seeking to give parents more education options that align with religious values.
Kamala Harris steps up outreach to Mormon voters in battleground Arizona
Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping up her efforts to win over voters who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appeared
The Vatican has given the green light for Catholics to continue flocking to a southern Bosnian village where children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary.
Houston Muslims introduce Spanish-speaking Islamic education, community center in Alief
In a city with one of the largest Muslim populations and Spanish speakers, it's only fitting Spanish-speaking Islamic education center called Centro Islamico would exist in Houston. But Latino/Hispanic Muslims in America have been around longer than you might know.
An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been released
The U.S. State Department says a Christian pastor from California has been freed from China after nearly 20 years behind bars and is back home in the U.S. Advocacy groups say 68-year-old David Lin was detained after he entered China in 2006, was convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison.
Lutherans in Walz's Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election season
Midwest Lutheranism has entered the national political limelight since Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz became Vice President Kamala Harrisโ running mate.
Haitians in Ohio find solidarity at church after chaotic week of false pet-eating claims
For many Haitian immigrants, Sunday mornings in Springfield, Ohio, are spent joyfully worshipping God as they sing and pray in their native Creole.
87 and hobbled, Pope Francis goes off-script in Asia and reminds world he can still draw a crowd
Pope Francis' longest and farthest trip has proven that despite his age, ailments and eight hours of jet lag, Pope Francis can still pull off an ambitious trip to Asia.
This new Mexican blessed is considered a protector of life from conception. Who was Moisรฉs Lira?
Mexicoโs Catholic Church has a new addition to its ranks of โblessed,โ with the beatification of the Rev. Moisรฉs Lira.
Takeaways from AP's report updating the cult massacre that claimed hundreds of lives in Kenya
In one of the deadliest cult-related massacres ever, the remains of more than 430 victims have been recovered since police raided Good News International Church in a forest in Kenya.
The church was named Good News. Hundreds of members died in a cult massacre that haunts survivors
In one of the deadliest cult-related massacres ever, more than 430 bodies have been recovered since police raided Good News International Church in a forest in Kenya.
A review of some of Pope Francis' most memorable quotes over his papacy
Flying back to Rome from a lengthy trip to Asia, Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration.
Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life' and urges Catholics to vote for 'lesser evil'
Pope Francis has strongly criticized both U.S. presidential candidates over what he calls anti-life policies on abortion and migration.
Measure to repeal Nebraskaโs private school funding law should appear on the ballot, court rules
The Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that a measure seeking to repeal a new conservative-backed law providing taxpayer money for private school tuition should appear on the state's November ballot.
Takeaways from AP's story about a Ferguson protester who became a prominent racial-justice activist
After Michael Brown Jr. was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, several nationally prominent Black religious leaders arrived, thinking they could help lead the protest movement that had surfaced.
Ferguson activist raised in the Black Church showed pastors how to aid young protesters
When the Black religious establishment arrived on the scene in Ferguson, Missouri, after the 2014 killing of Michael Brown Jr., protest organizer Brittany Packnett quickly realized something.
At this West Texas church, โthe Lordโs workโ is helping the poor, not rewriting state law
Led by co-pastors Joe and Dawn Weaks, Connection Christian Church, a 118-year-old congregation in Odessa, has transformed while keeping true to its legacy of helping the community.
Filipino televangelist pleads not guilty to child abuse and human trafficking charges
A Filipino televangelist who calls himself the โanointed son of Godโ and once claimed to have stopped an earthquake has pleaded not guilty to charges of child abuse and human trafficking.
Pope ends Asia trip with same message at the start: Interfaith tolerance to heal troubled world
Pope Francis is concluding his visit to Singapore by praising its tradition of interfaith harmony.
Pope marvels at Singapore's skyscrapers and asks that the lowest migrant workers not be forgotten
Pope Francis has praised Singaporeโs economic development as a testament to human ingenuity.
Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversy
Trustees for the Southern Baptists' policy arm affirmed the leadership of their president in the face of criticism from some church members.
Maryland Supreme Court hears arguments on child sex abuse lawsuits
The Supreme Court of Maryland is considering the constitutionality of a 2023 law that ended the stateโs statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits following a report that exposed widespread wrongdoing within the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
How does the huge crowd for the pope's Mass in East Timor compare to others?
The estimated crowd of 600,000 people Pope Francis' Mass in East Timor is nearly half of the small Southeast Asian country's population.
Francis will be only the second pope to visit Singapore, one of the wealthiest nations
When Pope Francis arrives Wednesday in Asiaโs financial powerhouse Singapore for the last leg of a four-nation tour, he is expected to bring his message of unity and hope to one of the worldโs richest nations.
Pope Francisโ Mass in East Timor draws 600,000 people, nearly half the population
The Vatican says some 600,000 people have attended Pope Francisโ Mass in East Timor, or nearly half the countryโs population.
Catholic leaders raise concerns over judicial reform pushed by Mexico's president
Mexicoโs Catholic leaders have raised their concerns over a controversial judicial reform pushed by President Andrรฉs Manuel Lรณpez Obrador.
A Dutch court convicts 2 Pakistani men over death threats to anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders
A Dutch court has convicted two Pakistani men in their absence over calls to their followers to murder anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, the leader of the Party for Freedom that won last yearโs general election in the Netherlands.
Takeaways from AP's report on the dilemmas facing Palestinian Americans ahead of US election
Many Palestinian Americans, in recent months, have been reeling from the double blow of the rising Palestinian death toll in Gaza and their own governmentโs support for Israel in the war against Hamas.
Grief over Gaza and qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian Americans
For months, many Palestinian Americans have been contending with the double whammy of the rising Palestinian death toll and suffering in Gaza and their own governmentโs support for Israel in the war.
Pope cheers East Timor's recovery while acknowledging a bishop's abuse scandal
Pope Francis has indirectly acknowledged the abuse scandal in East Timor involving its bishop and Nobel Peace Prize-winning independence hero.
Activists criticize high cost of Pope Francis' visit to East Timor, one of the poorest nations
East Timor pulled out all stops for Pope Francisโ historic visit to one of the worldโs youngest and poorest countries to the tune of $12 million, drawing rebuke from activists and human rights organizations.
Temple or museum? How Diego Rivera designed a place to honor Mexico's pre-Hispanic art
In the 1940s, Mexican artist Diego Rivera had a dream: to build a sacred place to preserve and display his lifelong collection of pre-Hispanic art.
Maui's toxic debris could fill 5 football fields 5 stories deep. Where will it end up?
The debris and ash that remained after a deadly wildfire last year decimated a historic Maui town now sits in a temporary dump site.
Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'
Pope Francis has called for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea to be particularly close to women who have been abused and marginalized.
Connecticut pastor elected president of nation's largest Black Protestant denomination
A Connecticut pastor will be the new president of the largest Black Protestant denomination in the U.S. His election brings to an end a leadership election that stirred division among members.
Pope to meet Papua New Guinea Catholics who embrace both Christianity and Indigenous beliefs
Pope Francisโs visit to Papua New Guinea will take him to a remote part of the South Pacific island nation where Christianity is a recent addition to traditional spiritual beliefs developed over millenia that remain deeply ingrained.
Pope heads to Papua New Guinea after final Mass in Indonesia before an overflow crowd of 100,000
Pope Francis is wrapping up his visit to Indonesia after celebrating Mass before an overflow crowd of 100,000.
Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania trip
Pope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Understanding Muslim funeral rites in light of Harris County Pct. 4 Cpl. Maher Husseiniโs death
Just days after a Muslim Harris Co. Pct. 4 Constable Deputy was gunned down in southwest Houston, many might be wondering why he is being laid to rest so suddenly. This is common in Islam, and to learn more, we turned to religious leaders like Imam Tyeree El-Amin Boyd to help break it down,
Maine law thwarts impact of school choice decision, lawsuit says
A Christian school at the center of a Supreme Court decision that requires Maine to include religious schools in a state tuition program is challenging a state antidiscrimination law.
Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet
Pope Francis has joined the grand imam of Southeast Asiaโs largest mosque in pledging to work together to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the planet.
Takeaways from AP's report on JD Vance and the Catholic postliberals in his circle of influence
Ohio Sen. JD Vanceโs 2019 conversion to Catholicism put him in close touch with a Catholic intellectual movement known as postliberalism.
JD Vance's Catholicism helped shape his views. So did this little-known group of Catholic thinkers
Ohio Sen. JD Vanceโs 2019 conversion to Catholicism helped shape his political worldview.
The AP Interview: East Timor's president says the pope's visit isn't time to dwell on past sins
The president of East Timor sees Pope Francisโ upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asiaโs youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation.
In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of 'harmony in diversity,' fight extremism
Pope Francis has urged Indonesia to live up to its promise of โharmony in diversityโ and fight religious intolerance.
Is Usha Vance's Hindu identity an asset or a liability to the Trump-Vance campaign?
Usha Vance's presence in the Trump-Vance campaign has energized some Indian Americans, particularly Hindu American conservatives.
Pope embarks on longest, farthest and most challenging trip to Asia, with China in the background
Pope Francis is making the longest, farthest and most challenging trip of his pontificate when he goes to Asia and Oceania this week.
Catholic diocese sues US government, worried some foreign-born priests might be forced to leave
For more than a year, religious organizations have lobbied Congress and the Biden administration to fix a sudden procedural change in how the government processes green cards for religious workers from abroad.
One day, their children didn't make it back home. Faith helps these Mexican mothers' search for them
According to official data, at least 115,000 people have disappeared in Mexico since 1952.
What to know about the rescued hostage's Bedouin community in Israel
The rescue from Gaza of hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi, who belongs to the Bedouin community in Israel, has put the focus on a minority group that has largely existed on the margins of Israeli society.
Afghan refugee accused in a case that shocked Albuquerqueโs Muslim community reaches plea agreement
An Afghan refugee who was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder in one of three fatal shootings that shook Albuquerqueโs Muslim community has reached a plea agreement that could resolve criminal charges stemming from the other two killings.
Takeaways from AP's report on clergy abuse scandal in East Timor ahead of Pope Francis' visit
When Pope Francis makes his trip to Asia's youngest country, East Timor, it will make him the second pope to visit after John Paul in 1989, and the first since the country gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Church sex abuse scandals in East Timor met by silence, but Pope Francisโ visit brings new attention
When the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning, East Timorese independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo had sexually abused young boys, it appeared that the global clergy sexual abuse scandal that has compromised the Catholic Churchโs credibility around the world had finally arrived in Asiaโs newest country.
Dalai Lama returns to Indian headquarters after knee replacement surgery in the US
The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has returned to the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile in northern India after undergoing a knee replacement surgery in New York.
Salmon will soon swim freely in the Klamath River for first time in a century once dams are removed
For the first time in more than a century, salmon will have free passage along the more than 400 miles of the Klamath River and its tributaries as the largest dam removal project in U.S. history nears completion along the California-Oregon border.
Ancient tombs with vibrant wall paintings open to public in southern Israel
Two nearly 2,000-year-old tombs with magnificent wall paintings will be open to the public for the first time in southern Israel after a painstaking conservation process.
Pope will visit the Istiqlal mosque in Indonesia on the first stop of an interfaith Asian trip
When Pope Francis begins his Asia tour next week, one of his early stops will be at Indonesiaโs iconic Istiqlal mosque.
How women of color with Christian and progressive values are keeping the faith โ outside churches
For some Christian progressives, the lack of acknowledgement by their churches or ministries of the racial reckoning in 2020 was the final push to go elsewhere.
Israel-Hamas war latest: Israel launches more strikes on Lebanon, state media and witnesses say
After a short-lived calm following a heavy exchange of strikes between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, fighting resumed Monday.
Taliban vice and virtue laws provide 'distressing vision' for Afghanistan, warns UN envoy
A top UN official is warning that the Talibanโs new vice and virtue laws provide a distressing vision for Afghanistanโs future.
Hundreds of police raid a religious compound in search of Filipino preacher wanted for child abuse
Hundreds of police, backed by riot squads, have raided a vast religious compound in a southern Philippine city in search of a local preacher accused of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Oklahoma teachers were told to use the Bible. There's resistance from schools as students return
Oklahomaโs Bixby school district has lots to show off for a fast-growing Tulsa suburb, including a state-of-the-art new high school and plans for a $12 million upgrade to its football complex.
LGBTQ advocates say Mormon church's new transgender policies marginalize trans members
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a slew of new guidelines which would limit the role of transgender members in local congregations.
Judge blocks Arizona lithium drilling that tribe says is threat to sacred lands
A federal judge has temporarily blocked exploratory drilling for a lithium project in Arizona that Native American leaders say will harm land theyโve used for religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries.
Bus carrying Shiite pilgrims from Pakistan to Iraq crashes in Iran, killing at least 28 people
A bus carrying Shiite pilgrims from Pakistan to Iraq has crashed in central Iran, killing at least 28 people.
Ukraine's parliament approves ban on Moscow-linked religious groups. One church is seen as a target
Ukraineโs parliament has banned the activities of religious groups tied to the Russian Orthodox Church or any other faith group supporting Russiaโs invasion.
A planned float in NYC's India Day Parade is anti-Muslim and should be removed, opponents say
A float in Sundayโs upcoming India Day Parade in New York City that celebrates a Hindu temple built over a razed mosque in India is being criticized as anti-Muslim.
How a small group of nuns in rural Kansas vex big companies with their investment activism
Among corporate Americaโs most persistent shareholder activists are 80 nuns in a monastery outside Kansas City.
An offering, a fire, a prayer. How a Mexico City community celebrates its pre-Hispanic origins
A couple of decades ago, when Claudia Santos felt the need for spiritual shelter, she dug into her countriesโ history and there she found it: Her ancestors, the Mexica.
A new round of Gaza cease-fire talks is starting. Why is a deal so elusive?
International mediators are hoping to kickstart stalled cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas with a new round of talks meant to finally clinch a deal between the sides.
The violence in Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster stirs fear within the country's Hindu minority
Ever since Bangladesh's prime minister was forced to step down and fled the country, her supporters and associates have faced retaliatory attacks.
Former Cornell student gets 21 months in prison for posting violent threats to Jewish students
A former Cornell University student arrested for posting violently threatening statements against Jewish people on campus last fall after the start of the war in Gaza has been sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Judge says Maine can forbid discrimination by religious schools that take state tuition money
A judge says Maine isn't violating the constitutional rights of religious schools by requiring them to abide by a state antidiscrimination law to receive taxpayer-funded tuition assistance.
Muslim dating app โMuzzโ bringing laughter to Houston with comical billboards
You've probably seen these billboards around Houston by the dating app, Muzz, especially on I-45 that have Muslim residents laughing and wondering where they came from.
Site of deadliest church shooting in US history is torn down over protests by some Texas families
Crews have torn down a Texas church where a gunman killed more than two dozen worshippers in 2017.
A mass circumcision is marketed to tourists in a remote area of Uganda. Some are angrily objecting
The ritualized circumcision of thousands of boys, known as Imbalu, began Aug. 3 in a remote corner of Uganda and will continue until the end of 2024.
No drinking and only Christian music during Sunday Gospel Hour at Nashville's most iconic honky tonk
Robertโs Western World is Nashvilleโs most iconic honky tonk and practically synonymous with country music.
Pope Francis' main adviser on clergy abuse, Cardinal Seรกn O'Malley, retires as archbishop of Boston
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Seรกn OโMalley as archbishop of Boston and named the current bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard Henning, to replace him as leader of one of the most important Catholic archdioceses in the United States.
Olympic and faith leaders seek reset after opening ceremony outcry, while chaplains welcome athletes
The 2024 Paris Games got off to a rocky start with many religious groups around the world, including the Vatican over a tableau in the opening ceremony perceived by some as evoking Leonardo da Vinciโs โThe Last Supper.โ.
One church, two astronauts. How a Texas congregation is supporting its members on the space station
A Texas church has not one โ but two โ members aboard the International Space Station.
After the end of Roe v. Wade, a new beginning for maternity homes
There has been a nationwide expansion of maternity homes in the two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the federal right to abortion.
Salvadorans honoring Saint รscar Romero: During these difficult times, he is like a ray of hope
Up to 3,000 Salvadoran Catholics will participate in Saint รscar Romero's pilgrimage, an annual event that kicks off in El Salvador each Aug. 1 to honor San Salvadorโs archbishop, who was appointed saint by pope Francis in 2018.