(OPINION) In my childhood, Catholics were encouraged to “make a visit” to church to light a candle for the sick or say a prayer for some special intention. Though I (and many others) fell out of this practice over the years, I found myself once again “making a visit” to churches when I began to study, teach and travel abroad.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As July 4, approaches, Americans will be paying more attention than usual to events of 1776: the year the American Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Public historians, including filmmaker Ken Burns, have tried to offer a more inclusive view of the American Revolution, highlighting lesser-known patriots.
Read More(REVIEW) A new biography explores David Bowie’s spiritual life beneath his flamboyant personas, especially Ziggy Stardust. Drawing on interviews and songs, it portrays a restless seeker shaped by diverse religious influences, whose music reflected an ongoing quest to understand God, faith and existence beyond organized religion.
Read MoreFar from isolated, this case reflects a growing wave of church thefts across France targeting religious art. Last year, the French Interior Ministry recorded about 538 thefts of religious items — an 11% increase from the year before. People usually steal things like chalices, statues, paintings, relics and other religious items from churches and other places of worship.
Read MoreAre the U.K.’s church pipe organs under threat? A new report from Pipe Up, a charity created in 2022 to save pipe organs from what it calls a “wave of destruction,” claims that Britain’s church organs are heading toward extinction unless action is taken.
Read MoreThe rise of charismatic Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe in the last two decades has resulted in the faith groups using open spaces and acquiring stands within residential suburbs to conduct church services. The services include prayer meetings, all-night fellowship and praise and worship concerts.
Read More(REVIEW) This concert marked the first world premiere in the Sistine Chapel. Yet, what lingered most was not the sense of history being made, but the work itself: A meditation on divine presence. In a space accustomed to silence rather than sound, “Angels Unawares” felt less like an interruption and more like a natural extension of the place.
Read MoreChristian musician Phillip Vaught is behind bars in Tennessee after being charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.
Read MoreIn Wales, hymn singing is not just for church services. It is part of the national culture, a unique choral tradition. You can hear them sung in pubs, concerts, choral competitions and even rugby games.
Read MoreA new report from the Pew Research Center found that religious radio stations remain ubiquitous — with 98% of U.S. adults living within the local coverage area of at least one of them. The report found that an “overwhelming majority” of those stations are Christian. Despite the rise of digital media, 45% of U.S. adults say they’ve listened to religious programming on the radio.
Read More(REVIEW) In 1954, the Oscar-winning composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold staged a European homecoming with a new operetta. How this came to pass — and how his planned comeback failed to materialize — is even more convoluted than the piece’s farcical plot. Korngold, a Jewish refugee from Vienna, first came to Hollywood to adapt Felix Mendelssohn’s music for Max Reinhardt’s 1935 film of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Read MoreA former Ohio worship pastor and American Idol contestant, accused of murdering his wife pleaded not guilty to 11 charges during a March 19 arraignment.
Read MoreThe island unfolds as a constellation of churches and cathedrals. Malta is often said to have more churches per square mile than any other country in the world. Whether or not that statistic is exact is debatable, but the impression is undeniable. While St. Paul’s arrival links Malta to the early church, Caravaggio’s genius shows just how powerful this belief has been over the centuries.
Read More(REVIEW) Marking the 150th anniversary of Gwen John’s birth, the exhibition “Gwen John: Strange Beauties” explores how her conversion to Catholicism shaped her art. Featuring paintings and rarely seen works on paper, it reveals how faith, solitude and subtle repetition informed the Welsh artist’s quietly modern and deeply contemplative practice.
Read MoreMany of the most enduring displays of human artistic greatness have been, in some way, religious. In today's secular world, the purpose of art is much more varied. Culture Critic Joseph Holmes interviewed actor, director, and producer David Henrie about his recent documentary series “Seeking Beauty.”
Read MoreStained glass is a highlight of English cathedrals, with many windows dating to medieval times. Tourists admire famous examples like York Cathedral’s Rose Window, St. George’s Chapel’s West Window in Windsor and Basil Spence’s Baptistry window at Coventry. In a recent public campaign, Carlisle Cathedral’s magnificent East Window was voted the nation’s favorite.
Read MoreIt’s a modern solution to an age-old issue. Many centuries-old monasteries are turning to Etsy-style e-commerce and renovating their convents to appeal to the growing Airbnb crowd. Like other religious establishments in Spain, Catholic nuns have had to think of new ways to generate income in the face of skyrocketing maintenance costs.
Read MoreThis five-year housing target — one of the boldest by a British government in a generation — was enshrined in the Labour Party’s promises and embedded in policy through planning reforms and legislative frameworks looking at speeding up development and cutting through bureaucratic inertia. However, will there be room for houses of worship to be built?
Read More(ANALYSIS) Before the start of the Winter Paralympics, a 70-member choir from Abbiategrasso performed in Milan, promoting inclusion of people with disabilities. Backed by the archdiocese’s outreach, the concert highlighted unity over segregation, echoing Paralympic values and urging communities to “change the game” so everyone can participate.
Read MoreFred Rogers’ legacy continues to resonate in 2026, from Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl tribute to church celebrations, global music tours and educational initiatives. His timeless message of kindness, peacemaking and “looking for the helpers” remains a source of comfort and connection, inspiring new generations to practice neighborliness during uncertain times.
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