Landslide forces closure of iconic Southern California chapel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son
A decades-old landslide thatโs rapidly accelerating has forced the dismantling of an iconic Southern California chapel known for its glass frame built among soaring redwoods and sweeping Pacific Ocean views.
Why the speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College's commencement
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy for his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism, but he received a standing ovation at the May 11 commencement ceremony at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
The Rev. William Lawson, Texas civil rights leader who worked with Martin Luther King Jr, dies at 95
The Rev. William โBillโ Lawson, a longtime pastor and civil rights leader who helped desegregate Houston, Texas, and worked with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement, has died.
A milestone reached in mainline Protestant churches' decades-old disputes over LGBTQ inclusion
The fight to allow same-sex marriage and gay clergy has defined much of the last half-century for major mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S. Within these theologically moderate-to-progressive Protestant groups, the decades of wrestling over whether to reaffirm or overturn longstanding anti-LGBTQ+ church policies sowed deep divisions.
Methodists end anti-gay bans, closing 50 years of battles over sexuality for mainline Protestants
When the United Methodist Church removed anti-gay language from its official rules last week, it marked the end of a half-century of debates over LGBTQ inclusion in America's mainline Protestant denominations.
Expanding clergy sexual abuse probe targets New Orleans Catholic church leaders
Authorities are expanding their investigation of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans to include church leaders suspected of shielding predatory priests and failing to report crimes to law enforcement.
Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. And why so many oppose it
Israel is determined to launch an offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gazaโs southernmost town, a plan that has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to more than a million Palestinian civilians sheltering there.
United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans and other issues at General Conference
United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of a legislative gathering that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their churchโs longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy.
Modi accused of hate speech for calling Muslims 'infiltrators' at a rally days into India's election
Indiaโs main opposition party is accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using hate speech after he called Muslims โinfiltratorsโ โ some of his most incendiary rhetoric to date about the minority faith in an election rally days after the country began its weekslong general election.
London police to meet with Jewish leaders as protests spark concerns about the safety of Jews
Londonโs police commissioner will meet with senior members of the Jewish community on Monday after the force bungled its apology for suggesting an โopenly Jewishโณ manโs presence along the route of a pro-Palestinian march risked provoking the demonstrators.
Sydney teen accused of stabbing 2 clerics showed no signs of radicalization, Muslim leader says
A Muslim community leader says a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics during a Sydney church service might have โanger management and behavioral issuesโ and a โshort fuseโ but had shown no signs of being radicalized.
Tensions rise in Australia after a bishop and priest are wounded in a knife attack in a church
A teenager has been accused of wounding a Christian bishop and priest during a church service in a second high-profile knife attack to rock Sydney in recent days, leaving communities on edge, leaders calling for calm and a besieged church urging against retaliation.
Vatican complains after French court rules in favor of nun dismissed from religious order
The Holy See has formally protested to France after a court there ruled that a former high-ranking Vatican official was liable for what the court determined to be the wrongful dismissal of a nun from a religious order.
Trump renews criticism of Jewish voters who back Biden: 'Should have their head examined'
Donald Trump has stirred religious controversy again in his presidential comeback bid, questioning the mental fitness of Jewish voters who back President Joe Biden and framing Election Day as a referendum on Christianityโs strength in American society.
Desperate young Guatemalans try to reach the US even after horrific deaths of migrating relatives
In the small town of Comitancillo in Guatemalaโs mostly Indigenous highlands, two murals memorialize the nearly two dozen local migrants who died in mass tragedies en route to the United States recently.
Latter-day Saints president approaches 100th birthday with mixed record on minority support
The oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has so far created a mixed legacy that some churchgoers say has made its global membership feel more included but has left LGBTQ+ members feeling unsupported.
Jewish group launches Holocaust survivor speakers bureau to fight increasing antisemitism worldwide
More than 250 Holocaust survivors have joined an international initiative to share their stories of loss and survival with students around the world during a time of rising antisemitism following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.
Polygamous sect leader pleads guilty in scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children
The leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport underage girls across state lines in what authorities say was a scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children.
Gaza medical officials say Israeli strike kills 4 foreign aid workers, driver after delivering food
Gaza medical officials say an apparent Israeli airstrike killed four international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen charity and their Palestinian driver after they helped deliver food and other supplies that had arrived in northern Gaza by ship hours earlier.
The Trump camp and the White House clash over Biden's recognition of 'Transgender Day of Visibility'
President Joe Biden is facing criticism from Donald Trump and religious conservatives for proclaiming March 31 โ which corresponds with Easter Sunday this year โ as โTransgender Day of Visibility.โ.
Pope presides over Easter Vigil, delivers 10-minute homily after skipping Good Friday at last minute
Pope Francis has delivered a 10-minute homily during the Vaticanโs somber Easter Vigil service, a day after he made the last-minute decision to skip his participation in the Good Friday procession as a health precaution.