INSIDER
Venezuelan migrants keep arriving in Colombia. These faith leaders offer them a home away from home
Read full article: Venezuelan migrants keep arriving in Colombia. These faith leaders offer them a home away from homeColombia hosts the largest population of migrants and refugees from Venezuela, where more than 7.7 million have left since 2014 for economic, political and safety reasons.
Five things you probably didn't know about Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
Read full article: Five things you probably didn't know about Notre Dame Cathedral in ParisParis' Notre Dame Cathedral has some surprising stories to tell before it reopens this weekend after five years of restoration.
From Bach to Beyonce, why a church orchestra aims to lift up young musicians of color
Read full article: From Bach to Beyonce, why a church orchestra aims to lift up young musicians of colorThe Black pastor of a multiethnic congregation in Anaheim, California, has started a string orchestra for young musicians of color.
Who are the Border Patrol chaplains? And why does the agency need more of them now?
Read full article: Who are the Border Patrol chaplains? And why does the agency need more of them now?Border Patrol agents are tasked with enforcing hotly contested immigration policies as many Americans at both ends of the political spectrum look askance at the border — and the agents.
Border Patrol trains more chaplains as the job and polarizing immigration debate rattle agents
Read full article: Border Patrol trains more chaplains as the job and polarizing immigration debate rattle agentsThe Border Patrol has been quickly growing its ranks of chaplains to help with mounting distress.
Vatican to install a webcam at St. Peter's tomb as part technological outreach for Holy Year
Read full article: Vatican to install a webcam at St. Peter's tomb as part technological outreach for Holy YearRoman Catholic faithful will be able to view St. Peter’s tomb via a webcam as part of the Vatican’s upcoming Holy Year.
Lebanon's Shiite Muslims pay high price in war between Israel and Hezbollah
Read full article: Lebanon's Shiite Muslims pay high price in war between Israel and HezbollahThe Lebanese civilians most devastated by the Israel-Hezbollah war are Shiite Muslims, and many of them believe they are being unfairly punished because they share a religious identity with Hezbollah militants and often live in the same areas.
Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped
Read full article: Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnappedAn Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran.
These Peruvian women left the Amazon, but their homeland still inspires their songs and crafts
Read full article: These Peruvian women left the Amazon, but their homeland still inspires their songs and craftsMany Shipibo-Konibo craftswomen migrated from their Indigenous communities in the Amazon to Peru's capital, Lima, in the past few decades.
Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad
Read full article: Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to ChabadDonald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs.
Pope warns the Vatican pension fund needs urgent reform as employees demand transparency
Read full article: Pope warns the Vatican pension fund needs urgent reform as employees demand transparencyPope Francis is warning that the Vatican's troubled pension fund faces a “serious imbalance” and cannot guarantee future obligations without “urgent structural” reforms.
Fashion designer describes invitation to work on Notre Dame cathedral's reopening as 'a calling'
Read full article: Fashion designer describes invitation to work on Notre Dame cathedral's reopening as 'a calling'When Jean-Charles de Castelbajac saw Notre Dame cathedral burn in April 2019, he felt compelled to act.
Archbishop of Canterbury will end official duties in early January amid sex abuse scandal
Read full article: Archbishop of Canterbury will end official duties in early January amid sex abuse scandalThe office of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, says he will wrap up his official duties in early January amid an abuse scandal in the Church of England.
Pope to make late Italian teenager Carlo Acutis the first millennial saint on April 27
Read full article: Pope to make late Italian teenager Carlo Acutis the first millennial saint on April 27Pope Francis will make late teen Carlo Acutis the Catholic Church’s first millennial and digital saint next year.
Texas board advances plan to allow Bible material in elementary school lessons
Read full article: Texas board advances plan to allow Bible material in elementary school lessonsThe Texas State Board of Education has given initial approval to a Bible-infused curriculum that would be optional for public schools to adopt for lessons from kindergarten through fifth grade.
'Tis the season for holiday albums, from Jennifer Hudson to Toby Keith and Jimmy Fallon
Read full article: 'Tis the season for holiday albums, from Jennifer Hudson to Toby Keith and Jimmy FallonIt’s not the holiday season until the house is full of festive music, from classics to covers and reimaginations across genres, for all to enjoy.
NYC priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to shoot a music video in church further stripped of duties
Read full article: NYC priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to shoot a music video in church further stripped of dutiesThe leader of a New York City church where pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed scenes for a music video has been stripped of his duties.
Abuse survivors urge the Vatican to globalize the zero-tolerance policy it approved in the US
Read full article: Abuse survivors urge the Vatican to globalize the zero-tolerance policy it approved in the USSurvivors of clergy sexual abuse are urging the Vatican to adopt the same zero-tolerance policy that it approved for the U.S. Catholic Church in 2002.
Pope Francis calls for investigation to determine if Israel's attacks in Gaza constitute 'genocide'
Read full article: Pope Francis calls for investigation to determine if Israel's attacks in Gaza constitute 'genocide'Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute genocide.
Oklahoma schools superintendent mandates students watch announcement of new religious department
Read full article: Oklahoma schools superintendent mandates students watch announcement of new religious departmentOklahoma's education superintendent has sent an email to public school superintendents requiring them to show students his video announcement of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism.
Virgin Mary statue, a symbol of resilience, returns to Notre Dame Cathedral 5 years after fire
Read full article: Virgin Mary statue, a symbol of resilience, returns to Notre Dame Cathedral 5 years after fireA medieval statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, known as the “Virgin of Paris,” has returned to Notre Dame cathedral, five years after surviving the devastating fire of 2019.
Hostages freed from Gaza meet with Pope Francis and press campaign to bring remaining captives home
Read full article: Hostages freed from Gaza meet with Pope Francis and press campaign to bring remaining captives homeA delegation of former hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and their relatives have met with Pope Francis.
Martin Scorsese on 'The Saints,' faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might be
Read full article: Martin Scorsese on 'The Saints,' faith in filmmaking and what his next movie might beA year after the release of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Martin Scorsese is still looking for his next feature.
Catholic bishops urged to boldly share church teachings — even unpopular ones
Read full article: Catholic bishops urged to boldly share church teachings — even unpopular onesSeveral U.S. Catholic bishops on Wednesday encouraged the church to boldly share Vatican teachings on a range of hot-button issues, including the condemnation of abortion, euthanasia, surrogacy and gender-affirming surgery.
Notre Dame's restoration surplus of nearly $150M will be used for future preservation
Read full article: Notre Dame's restoration surplus of nearly $150M will be used for future preservationNearly $1 billion in donations were pledged within days of the fire that ravaged Paris' Notre Dame cathedral five years ago.
Church of England must do more to combat abuse, bishop says after Archbishop of Canterbury resigns
Read full article: Church of England must do more to combat abuse, bishop says after Archbishop of Canterbury resignsThe only Church of England bishop to publicly demand the resignation of former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says his departure wasn't enough to solve the church’s “profound failure" in safeguarding vulnerable people or ease the trauma suffered by victims of abuse.
Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
Read full article: Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten CommandmentsLouisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill says the state will ask a federal appeals court to quickly stay a lower court's order declaring unconstitutional a law requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom by Jan. 1.
Church of England head Justin Welby resigns over handling of sex abuse scandal
Read full article: Church of England head Justin Welby resigns over handling of sex abuse scandalArchbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, resigned Tuesday after an investigation found he failed to tell police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it.
As US Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigration
Read full article: As US Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigrationAs U.S. Catholic bishops gather for their annual fall meeting this week in Baltimore, the specter of President-elect Donald Trump’s resounding victory hangs over the proceedings.
Police officer arrested over deadly 2023 suicide bombing at Pakistan mosque
Read full article: Police officer arrested over deadly 2023 suicide bombing at Pakistan mosqueAuthorities in Pakistan say a key suspect in connection with a deadly attack at a mosque in a police compound nearly two years ago has been arrested and has been identified as a police officer.
'A hollow and limited apology.' New Zealand survivors of abuse in care speak in their own words
Read full article: 'A hollow and limited apology.' New Zealand survivors of abuse in care speak in their own wordsSurvivors have attended a formal apology from New Zealand's leaders at Parliament for the abuse of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in state, foster and faith-based care.
New Zealand's leader formally apologizes to survivors of abuse in state and church care
Read full article: New Zealand's leader formally apologizes to survivors of abuse in state and church careNew Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has made a “formal and unreserved” apology in Parliament for the abuse, torture and neglect of an estimated 200,000 children and vulnerable adults in care.
Vatican and Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter's Basilica to allow virtual visits, log damage
Read full article: Vatican and Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter's Basilica to allow virtual visits, log damageA digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica has been created using artificial intelligence to explore one of the world’s most important monument’s.
Paris will deploy 4,000 police officers for France-Israel soccer match following Amsterdam violence
Read full article: Paris will deploy 4,000 police officers for France-Israel soccer match following Amsterdam violenceParis police say that 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for a France-Israel soccer match to ensure security in and around the stadium and on public transportation.
Amsterdam police detain pro-Palestinian protesters at banned demonstration
Read full article: Amsterdam police detain pro-Palestinian protesters at banned demonstrationPolice have detained dozens of people for taking part in a demonstration in central Amsterdam that had been outlawed following violent clashes targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club.
Attacks on Israeli soccer fans in the Netherlands prompts prime minister to cancel climate trip
Read full article: Attacks on Israeli soccer fans in the Netherlands prompts prime minister to cancel climate tripDutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof has canceled his planned trip to United Nations climate talks in Azerbaijan so he can stay in the Netherlands to deal with the fallout from assaults on fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team in Amsterdam that authorities condemned as antisemitic.
AP VoteCast shows Trump boosted his level of support among Catholic voters
Read full article: AP VoteCast shows Trump boosted his level of support among Catholic votersAmong several blocs of religious voters, including his loyal evangelical base, Donald Trump fared roughly as well in his victory over Kamala Harris as he did in his loss to Joe Biden four years ago.
White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump's presidency
Read full article: White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump's presidencyFormer President Donald Trump once again won the support of about 8 in 10 white evangelical Christian voters in his election to a second term.
Notre Dame marks arrival of Paris Olympics’ iconic trackside bell as cathedral reopening nears
Read full article: Notre Dame marks arrival of Paris Olympics’ iconic trackside bell as cathedral reopening nearsParis’s Notre Dame cathedral, whose historic bells were silenced following 2019’s devastating fire, will soon echo again with fresh chimes.
Appeals court orders new trial for man on Texas' death row over judge's antisemitic bias
Read full article: Appeals court orders new trial for man on Texas' death row over judge's antisemitic biasA Texas appeals court has ordered a new trial for a Jewish man on death row because of antisemitic bias by the judge in his case.
Sorrentino's ode to Naples, 'Parthenope,' gets mixed reviews in Italy over San Gennaro sex scene
Read full article: Sorrentino's ode to Naples, 'Parthenope,' gets mixed reviews in Italy over San Gennaro sex scenePaolo Sorrentino’s latest film “Parthenope,” has gotten mixed reviews and an early thumbs down from Italy's Catholic Church.
A leader of Mexican folk saint cult 'La Santa Muerte' is killed at an altar to the skeletal figure
Read full article: A leader of Mexican folk saint cult 'La Santa Muerte' is killed at an altar to the skeletal figureAuthorities say a local leader of the Mexican folk saint cult “La Santa Muerte” has been gunned down at an altar to the skeletal figure.
Spiritual, not spooky. After Halloween, Christians observe All Saints' Day
Read full article: Spiritual, not spooky. After Halloween, Christians observe All Saints' DayChristians in many countries around the world are celebrating All Saints’ Day, a somber and spiritual day in the church’s liturgical calendar that shares pagan roots with Halloween.
We are what we celebrate: America's holiday calendar is increasingly diverse
Read full article: We are what we celebrate: America's holiday calendar is increasingly diverseFor the first time, New York City’s public school students have the day off to mark the holiday of Diwali, celebrated in India and among the global Indian diaspora as the victory of light over darkness.
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 led a wildlife trafficking ring on a Native American reservation in Montana that killed thousands of eagles and hawks was sentenced to nearly four years 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.
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.