INSIDER
In Amharic, Karen and Spanish, worship is like home for migrants in heartland town
Read full article: In Amharic, Karen and Spanish, worship is like home for migrants in heartland townAt noon on Sundays in Worthington, Minnesota, an overflow crowd is still swaying to the Guatemalan band at Spanish-language Catholic Mass, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians are wrapping up their six-hour-long service, and at town’s edge among the cornfields, refugees from Southeast Asia gather to pray and sing in Karen at the Baptist church founded by Swedish farmers.
Man who killed eagles on a Native American reservation gets nearly 4 years in prison
Read full article: Man who killed eagles on a Native American reservation gets nearly 4 years in prisonA Washington state man who authorities say killed eagles as part of a wildlife trafficking ring that operated on a Native American reservation in Montana was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison.
Vatican tribunal explains conviction of cardinal and others in 'trial of the century'
Read full article: Vatican tribunal explains conviction of cardinal and others in 'trial of the century'The Vatican tribunal says it convicted a cardinal of aggravated fraud and other charges because of his “objectively inexplicable behavior” in paying a self-styled intelligence analyst more than a half-million euros (dollars) in Vatican money.
Indians celebrate Diwali by lighting a record number of clay lamps
Read full article: Indians celebrate Diwali by lighting a record number of clay lampsIndians are celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, by symbolically lighting a record 2.51 million clay oil lamps at dusk on the banks of the river Saryu in a city they believe to be the birthplace of the deity Lord Ram.
Liberty University sued by former IT staffer fired after disclosing she's a transgender woman
Read full article: Liberty University sued by former IT staffer fired after disclosing she's a transgender womanThe nationwide debate over transgender rights is playing out on a personal level in a federal court lawsuit filed by a former Liberty University employee fired by the Christian school after disclosing her identity as a transgender woman.
Church near Pennsylvania Capitol becomes peace hub hoping to protect democracy in divisive election
Read full article: Church near Pennsylvania Capitol becomes peace hub hoping to protect democracy in divisive electionPennsylvania’s State Capitol could be a crucial venue if the upcoming election leads to worsening political divisions in the most pivotal of swing states.
Afghan women cannot pray loudly or recite in front of other women, says Taliban minister
Read full article: Afghan women cannot pray loudly or recite in front of other women, says Taliban ministerA Taliban government minister says Afghan women are forbidden from praying loudly or reciting the Quran in front of other women.
Care for a sweet treat during Mexico's Day of the Dead? Have a bite of 'pan de muerto'
Read full article: Care for a sweet treat during Mexico's Day of the Dead? Have a bite of 'pan de muerto'“Pan de muerto," or “bread of the dead,” is freshly baked in Mexico ahead of Day of the Dead celebrations.
Pennsylvania’s Catholics are divided over an election where their votes may be decisive
Read full article: Pennsylvania’s Catholics are divided over an election where their votes may be decisiveNationally, Catholic voters have been a crucial swing constituency in recent presidential elections.
Pope's child protection board urges transparency from Vatican sex abuse office and compensation
Read full article: Pope's child protection board urges transparency from Vatican sex abuse office and compensationPope Francis’ child protection board has issued its first-ever global assessment of the Catholic Church's efforts to address the clergy sex abuse crisis.
Catholic bishops call for authorities to step up against violence in southern Mexico
Read full article: Catholic bishops call for authorities to step up against violence in southern MexicoFour Roman Catholic bishops in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero called Monday for civilian and military authorities to take steps to protect residents of a region rocked by violence that has left more than a dozen dead in recent days.
Republicans seek votes among the Amish, who rarely cast them, in swing-state Pennsylvania
Read full article: Republicans seek votes among the Amish, who rarely cast them, in swing-state PennsylvaniaThe Amish are numerous in the all-important swing state of Pennsylvania, and yet only a small minority of them vote in elections.
Swing-state priest teaches ancient techniques for surviving today's political turmoil
Read full article: Swing-state priest teaches ancient techniques for surviving today's political turmoilThe Rev. David Peck is an Episcopal priest in the heartland of Pennsylvania, a swing state at the center of the tense presidential election.
A thriller about electing a pope draws crowds at the Rome Film Festival near the Vatican
Read full article: A thriller about electing a pope draws crowds at the Rome Film Festival near the VaticanWith Pope Francis a few weeks away from his 88th birthday, the plotting for his successor is well underway at the Vatican.
Pope Francis' Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to women
Read full article: Pope Francis' Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to womenPope Francis’ yearslong process to reform the Catholic Church has ended with recommendations that fall far short of giving women more equity as hoped.
Two historic Philadelphia churches offer lessons for an America divided today and in its infancy
Read full article: Two historic Philadelphia churches offer lessons for an America divided today and in its infancyChrist Church is so symbolic to the birth of America that it's called the Nation's Church.
Forced assimilation and abuse: How US boarding schools devastated Native American tribes
Read full article: Forced assimilation and abuse: How US boarding schools devastated Native American tribesPresident Biden is expected to issue an historic apology Friday for the 150-year government effort to break up Native American culture, language and identity by forcing children into abusive boarding schools.
President Biden to apologize for 150-year Indian boarding school policy
Read full article: President Biden to apologize for 150-year Indian boarding school policyPresident Joe Biden says he will formally apologize on for the nation's role in forcing Indigenous children into boarding schools, where for more than 150 years many were physically, emotionally and sexually abused, and more than 950 died.
Peruvian theologian the Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, father of influential liberation theology, has died
Read full article: Peruvian theologian the Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, father of influential liberation theology, has diedPeruvian theologian the Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, the father of the social justice-centered liberation theology that the Vatican once criticized for its Marxist undercurrents, has died.
Louisiana's 2020 Teacher of the Year is trying to block the state's Ten Commandments law
Read full article: Louisiana's 2020 Teacher of the Year is trying to block the state's Ten Commandments lawLouisiana’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, has filed a lawsuit challenging a new state law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom by Jan. 1.
Fallout from 2023 Hamas attack lingers as Jews worldwide observe a holiday meant for joy
Read full article: Fallout from 2023 Hamas attack lingers as Jews worldwide observe a holiday meant for joyCustomarily, Simchat Torah is one of the most joyous days of the Jewish calendar, highlighted by exuberant dancing around a Torah.
Burial held for Catholic priest and Indigenous peace activist killed in southern Mexico
Read full article: Burial held for Catholic priest and Indigenous peace activist killed in southern MexicoHundreds of people have turned out for the burial of Catholic priest Marcelo Pérez, an activist for Indigenous peoples and farm laborers who was killed in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas.
About 140 Rohingya Muslims on wooden boat off Indonesia's coast as residents refuse to let them land
Read full article: About 140 Rohingya Muslims on wooden boat off Indonesia's coast as residents refuse to let them landIndonesian officials say about 140 weak and hungry Rohingya Muslims, mostly women and children, are on a wooden boat anchored about 1 mile off the coast of Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh, and local residents refused to allow them onto land.
In annual religious pilgrimage, Panamanians crawl to reach the Black Christ of Portobelo
Read full article: In annual religious pilgrimage, Panamanians crawl to reach the Black Christ of PortobeloAt dawn, pilgrims like Ernesto Troya undertook the hardest stretch of their journey to reach the image of the Black Christ of Portobelo in Panama.
Some Jewish voters in presidential swing states reconsider their longtime devotion to Democrats
Read full article: Some Jewish voters in presidential swing states reconsider their longtime devotion to DemocratsPennsylvania has the biggest Jewish population of any swing state, and any shift could have enormous implications in a state decided by narrow margins the past two presidential elections.
Judge hears arguments to block Louisiana's Ten Commandments displays in schools
Read full article: Judge hears arguments to block Louisiana's Ten Commandments displays in schoolsA federal judge has heard arguments on whether he should temporarily block a new Louisiana law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom by Jan. 1.
Trump boosts a hard-right Christian worldview that paints the election as 'spiritual warfare'
Read full article: Trump boosts a hard-right Christian worldview that paints the election as 'spiritual warfare'Donald Trump’s campaign has nourished a fusion of hard-right politics and theology to energize evangelical Christians in swing states.
Learning about God from dogs, Orthodox monks breed and train canines in upstate New York monastery
Read full article: Learning about God from dogs, Orthodox monks breed and train canines in upstate New York monasteryA group of Orthodox monks in upstate New York takes the Christian imperative to care for creation more literally than most religious communities.
Harris urges Black churchgoers in Georgia to head out to vote and gets an assist from Stevie Wonder
Read full article: Harris urges Black churchgoers in Georgia to head out to vote and gets an assist from Stevie WonderKamala Harris has visited two Atlanta-area church where she summoned Black members of the congregations to turn out at the polls.
Children greet King Charles III and Queen Camilla outside a Sydney church
Read full article: Children greet King Charles III and Queen Camilla outside a Sydney churchKing Charles III and Queen Camilla have been greeted by children outside a Sydney church in their first public appearance of their Australian visit.
What's a 'Jezebel spirit'? Some Christians use the term to paint Kamala Harris with a demonic brush
Read full article: What's a 'Jezebel spirit'? Some Christians use the term to paint Kamala Harris with a demonic brushChristian nationalist leaders are telling followers that Vice President Kamala Harris is under the influence of a “Jezebel spirit."
What to know about the Los Angeles Catholic Church's $880M settlement with sexual abuse victims
Read full article: What to know about the Los Angeles Catholic Church's $880M settlement with sexual abuse victimsThe Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades.
Oklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official's classroom Bible mandate
Read full article: Oklahoma parents and teachers sue to stop top education official's classroom Bible mandateA group of Oklahoma parents, teachers and ministers are suing to stop the state's top education official from forcing schools to incorporate the Bible into their lesson plans.
Cissy Houston mourned by Dionne Warwick, politicians and more at longtime church
Read full article: Cissy Houston mourned by Dionne Warwick, politicians and more at longtime churchA revered soul and gospel singer and the mother of Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston’s life was celebrated nearly a week after her death at 91.
Trump delivers a pointed and at times bitter speech at Al Smith charity dinner
Read full article: Trump delivers a pointed and at times bitter speech at Al Smith charity dinnerFormer President Donald Trump laced into Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats in a pointed and at times bitter speech as he headlined the annual Al Smith charity dinner in New York.
Asian American evangelicals' theology is conservative. But that doesn't mean they vote that way
Read full article: Asian American evangelicals' theology is conservative. But that doesn't mean they vote that wayAsian American evangelical Christians are an evolving group of voters who are increasingly seeking to distinguish themselves from their white counterparts.
Archdiocese of Los Angeles agrees to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse
Read full article: Archdiocese of Los Angeles agrees to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuseThe Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades.
A full-scale replica of Anne Frank's hidden annex is heading to New York for an exhibition
Read full article: A full-scale replica of Anne Frank's hidden annex is heading to New York for an exhibitionThe hidden annex where the young Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid from Nazi occupiers during World War II is heading to New York.
Lebanese worldwide fear for their homeland and loved ones as violence escalates
Read full article: Lebanese worldwide fear for their homeland and loved ones as violence escalatesFor generations, many people in Lebanon have wrestled with whether to leave to seek better opportunities or escape various times of tumult.
A faith is on the edge of vanishing in Georgia after being exiled from Russia centuries ago
Read full article: A faith is on the edge of vanishing in Georgia after being exiled from Russia centuries agoMembers of a pacifist Christian sect that emerged in 18th century Russia were expelled to the fringes of the Russian Empire almost two centuries ago for rejecting the Orthodox church and refusing to serve in Czar Nicholas I’s army.
Mormon church leaders encourage civility as Trump and Harris rally religious voters
Read full article: Mormon church leaders encourage civility as Trump and Harris rally religious votersA top leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is urging members to “avoid what is harsh and hateful” in the heat of election season.
Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demons
Read full article: Influential prophesizing pastors believe reelecting Trump is a win in the war of angels and demonsAmong the nation’s charismatic Christians, there’s one highly politicized faction in particular that believes the reelection of former President Donald Trump would be a win in a literal spiritual war of angels in demons.
Mormon faith pushes ahead with global temple building boom despite cool reception in Las Vegas
Read full article: Mormon faith pushes ahead with global temple building boom despite cool reception in Las VegasA worldwide building boom of big, bright Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temples is meeting pushback in a place not known for moderation.
Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for women
Read full article: Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for womenPope Francis' big Catholic reform project has opened with widespread calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility in the church topping the agenda.
Man is sentenced to 35 years for shooting 2 Jewish men as they left Los Angeles synagogues
Read full article: Man is sentenced to 35 years for shooting 2 Jewish men as they left Los Angeles synagoguesA California man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for shooting and wounding two Jewish men outside Los Angeles synagogues last year.
It's a 'very difficult time' for U.S. Jews as High Holy Days and Oct. 7 anniversary coincide
Read full article: It's a 'very difficult time' for U.S. Jews as High Holy Days and Oct. 7 anniversary coincideJudaism’s High Holy Days annually provide an emotional mix of celebration, introspection and atonement for Jews worldwide.
When do the Jewish High Holidays start? The 10-day season begins this week with Rosh Hashana
Read full article: When do the Jewish High Holidays start? The 10-day season begins this week with Rosh HashanaRosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, starts at sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and continues through the evening of Friday, Oct. 4.
Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churches
Read full article: Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churchesConservative Christian churches in California and prominent figures around the United States like activist Charlie Kirk are urging congregations to get involved in ballot gathering or ballot harvesting.
Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victims
Read full article: Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victimsPope Francis has doubled down on his traditional views on abortion and women during his in-flight news conference coming home from Belgium.
Jews and Catholics warn against Trump's latest loyalty test for religious voters
Read full article: Jews and Catholics warn against Trump's latest loyalty test for religious votersFormer President Donald Trump recently reissued his loyalty test to religious Americans, declaring that he can best protect their freedoms while preemptively blaming some if he loses the presidential election in November.
Thousands gather in Ethiopia's capital to celebrate a religious festival. Many are thinking of peace
Read full article: Thousands gather in Ethiopia's capital to celebrate a religious festival. Many are thinking of peaceThousands of Ethiopians have gathered in the capital city to celebrate an annual religious festival distinguished by the lighting of bonfires according to the beliefs of the local Orthodox Christian faithful.
Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious art
Read full article: Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious artAn unholy argument over a hymn has struck a discordant note in the preparations for the main event of Pope Francis' trip to Belgium.
Finding Mr. Right and converting to Judaism led Erin Foster to write a fresh, original rom-com
Read full article: Finding Mr. Right and converting to Judaism led Erin Foster to write a fresh, original rom-comErin Foster was inspired by her own experience of meeting her husband and converting to Judaism to create the new series “Nobody Wants This."
Georgia's anti-LGBTQ+ measures raise fears of hate crimes in the conservative South Caucasus nation
Read full article: Georgia's anti-LGBTQ+ measures raise fears of hate crimes in the conservative South Caucasus nationGeorgia's parliament last week gave final approval to a bill that severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights in the conservative South Caucasus country of 3.7 million people.
Their churches no longer feel safe. Now Nicaraguans are taking their worship home
Read full article: Their churches no longer feel safe. Now Nicaraguans are taking their worship homeAs President Daniel Ortega has moved aggressively to silence critics of his administration in Nicaragua, faith leaders have denounced their surveillance, harassment and threats at the hands of the state.
Judge lets over 8,000 Catholic employers deny worker protections for abortion and fertility care
Read full article: Judge lets over 8,000 Catholic employers deny worker protections for abortion and fertility careA federal judge is allowing more than 8,000 Catholic employers nationwide to reject government regulations that protect workers seeking abortions and fertility care.
Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to retain his flock in Europe
Read full article: Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to retain his flock in EuropePope Francis will be visiting Belgium on a trip starting Thursday, facing a flock ravaged by countless scandals of priest sexual abuse and dwindling in the face of modernity, where women and gays insist on an equal role and rights.
Most Hispanic Americans — whether Catholic or Protestant —support abortion access: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Most Hispanic Americans — whether Catholic or Protestant —support abortion access: AP-NORC pollFor decades, some political analysts have sought to depict Hispanic Americans as “socially conservative” — and indeed many of them are.
Malaysian police rescue 187 more children as sex abuse probe of Islamic group deepens
Read full article: Malaysian police rescue 187 more children as sex abuse probe of Islamic group deepensMalaysian police say they have rescued 187 more children and raided locations nationwide linked to an Islamic business group that is being investigated for alleged sexual assault of children.
Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illness
Read full article: Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illnessThe Vatican has confirmed that plans remain in place for Pope Francis to go to Belgium and Luxembourg.
An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrine
Read full article: An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrineAn estimated 180,000 motorcyclists gathered at Our Lady of Fatima shrine in central Portugal on Sunday for the ninth annual Pilgrimage of the Blessing of Helmets.
Are Trump and Harris particularly Christian? That's not what most Americans would say: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Are Trump and Harris particularly Christian? That's not what most Americans would say: AP-NORC pollVice President Kamala Harris is a Baptist who was influenced by religious traditions in her mother’s home country of India.
Euphoric two years ago, US anti-abortion movement is now divided and worried as election nears
Read full article: Euphoric two years ago, US anti-abortion movement is now divided and worried as election nearsJust two years ago, leading anti-abortion activists were euphoric after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, thus ending the nationwide right to abortion.
Takeaways from AP's report on churches starting schools in voucher states
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's report on churches starting schools in voucher statesSome 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
Read full article: Kamala Harris steps up outreach to Mormon voters in battleground ArizonaVice 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
Read full article: Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appearedThe 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
Read full article: Houston Muslims introduce Spanish-speaking Islamic education, community center in AliefIn 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
Read full article: An American pastor detained in China for nearly 20 years has been releasedThe 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
Read full article: Lutherans in Walz's Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election seasonMidwest Lutheranism has entered the national political limelight since Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz became Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
Haitians in Ohio find solidarity at church after chaotic week of false pet-eating claims
Read full article: Haitians in Ohio find solidarity at church after chaotic week of false pet-eating claimsFor 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
Read full article: 87 and hobbled, Pope Francis goes off-script in Asia and reminds world he can still draw a crowdPope 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 Moisés Lira?
Read full article: This new Mexican blessed is considered a protector of life from conception. Who was Moisés Lira?Mexico’s Catholic Church has a new addition to its ranks of “blessed,” with the beatification of the Rev. Moisés Lira.