Greek Orthodox Church Destroyed On 9/11 Restarts Construction

The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was the only house of worship that was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks, and has been working to rebuild since. Construction restarts after several delays, and the church hopes to reopen next year.

News, North AmericaJillian CheneyAugust 3, 2020Jillian Cheney, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox, 9/11, New York, New York City, Orthodox Church, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Friends of St. Nicholas, Andrew Cuomo, Primary Feature, Christianity, Secondary FeatureComment

In Photos: Migrants in Malaysia celebrated Eid under stricter lockdown rules, banning mosque

When COVID-19 cases surged in Malaysia’s refugee and migrant communities, the government imposed a stricter lockdown ban on foreigners, even while lifting restrictions on businesses and gatherings. Foreigners aren’t allowed to enter a mosque or perform ritual animal sacrifices, which meant an usually difficult Eid al-Adha celebration this year.

Asia, NewsAlexandra RaduAugust 3, 2020malaysia, COVID-19, coronavirus lockdown, Eid al adha, refugee, somalia, yemeni, immigration, Primary Feature, covid-19 pandemic, mosque ban, Islam, Secondary FeatureComment

In Uganda, U.S. missionary accused of 105 child deaths dissolves charity

The charity of American missionary Renee Bach, accused of causing more than 100 child deaths in Uganda, is now dissolved. Bach is accused of performing medical procedures without being a doctor. She settled out of court with two mothers who each lost a son.

Africa, News, JusticeJohn SemakulaAugust 1, 2020Africa, children, charity, public health, Renee Bach, John Semakula, Uganda, Saving his children, voluntourism, Secondary Feature, Serving His children Comment

In photos: Indonesian Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Adha During COVID-19, Donating Meat To Needy

Usually during Eid, sales of livestock for animal sacrifices surge in Indonesia, but this year the sales are about half of last year’s for local cattle sellers, indicating a tough and uncertain economic climate. Prayers were held outdoors at Jakarta’s largest mosque, observing COVID-19 safety measures like temperature checks and socially-distanced prayer rugs.

Asia, NewsAgoes RudiantoJuly 31, 2020Agoes Rudianto, Indonesia, Indonesian Muslims, Eid al adha, eid 2020, animal sacrifice, Primary Feature, Islam, MuslimComment

Zimbabwean houses of worship remain quiet amid changing COVID-19 rules

COVID-19 lockdown measures have tightened in Zimbabwe, limiting gatherings, including for religious services. This brought to a complete halt some small Christian churches that had started to gather again for faith and worship activities after an earlier loosening of restrictions.

Africa, NewsTawanda KaromboJuly 31, 2020Zimbabwe, church reopening, Africa, COVID-19, coronavirus lockdown, coronavirus, Secondary Feature, Tawanda KaromboComment

Gunmen kill, wound dozens at South Sudan church, jeopardizing peace talks

Tribal warfare in South Sudan is preventing the country’s peace process from bearing fruit, complicating a six-year civil war. Among the victims of conflict and wanton violence are women, children and Christian clergy.

News, Religion, AfricaJuma PeterJuly 31, 2020war, war-torn, south sudan, Sudan civil war, peace sudan, Secondary Feature Comment

Congress Probes Chinese Catholic Bishop's Assumed Death, Religious Freedom in China

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a bipartisan Congressional caucus, held a panel on July 30 to discuss the imprisonment, torture and believed death of Catholic Bishop James Su Zhimin. Su’s treatment by the Chinese Communist Party is representative of other violations of religious freedom in the country, and panelists believe it is time for the Holy See to cut ties with the country.

Golan Heights grotto revered by Christians and Druze, reviled as pagan site by Jews

An ancient site on Israel’s Golan Heights is revered by Druze and Christians, who honor the site as the place where Jesus tells St. Peter: “on this rock I will build my church,” but Jews revile the site as a place of pagan worship.

News, Middle East, Religion, TravelGil ZoharJuly 31, 2020mythology, Jews and Judaism, Christianity, DruzeComment

How the Hagia Sophia decision impacts Turkey, minorities and now, Syria

(ANALYSIS) The Turkish government’s conversion of the Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque has drawn sharp criticism, celebration, and now pledges to rebuild the church in Syria. The decision is part of a long-term agenda of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Islamist parties to restore national pride in its Ottoman past, drawing both sharp criticism for implications for religious minorities and mixed praise in the region.

Tech companies slammed for 'empowering' hate towards Catholics, Jews

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) asked Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos why his company partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, known to label mainstream religious beliefs about homosexuality as hate, to determine what charities should be omitted from the online retailer’s list of organizations customers can automatically donate a portion of their spending to.

News, North AmericaTimothy NerozziJuly 30, 2020ceo tech hearing, amazon, jeff bezos, amazon smile, facebook, google, tech ceos, SPLC, Southern Poverty Law Center, Primary Feature, Matt Gaetz, Secondary Feature, Christianity, catholicismComment

Top 5 Places To Attend Virtual Hajj

Like many other religious gatherings, the Islamic pilgrimage Hajj has been altered due to coronavirus concerns. This year, Hajj will only be open to residents of Saudi Arabia. Check out the best five ways to experience a virtual Hajj.

Flagship S.C. Church Makes Statement of Contrition on Slavery and Race

First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in America. The church released a statement against racism, and will remove the names of former pro-slavery pastors from its buildings.

North America, NewsChristina DarnellJuly 27, 2020Christina Darnell, Secondary Feature, Presbyterian, South Carolina, Pastor Derek Thomas, NPR, National Public Radio, James Henry Thornwell, pastor, Slavery, racism, Benjamin Morgan PalmerComment

John Lewis memorials through July 30: Here's where and when

The celebration of life and funeral of Rep. John Lewis, the Civil Rights veteran, will take place all week from Alabama to Washington, D.C.

News, North AmericaHamil R. HarrisJuly 25, 2020John Lewis, john lewis funeral, Rep. John Lewis, Hamil R. Harris, Primary Feature, Secondary FeatureComment

John Lewis Knew Desegregation Wasn’t Enough

(OPINION) A simple removal of the “Whites Only” signs from water fountains, restrooms and waiting rooms missed the larger problem of segregation. The era of legalized racial segregation and discrimination was marked by the economic exploitation, political disfranchisement and social subordination of African Americans.

News, Opinion, Politics, North AmericaDr. David D. Daniels IIIJuly 25, 2020John Lewis, Rep. John Lewis, segregation, BLM, desegregation, beloved community, civil rights, civil rights era, white only, white privilege, racism, Dr. David D. Daniels III, Primary Feature Comments

Hosting an annual conference online this year will change the Jehovah's Witnesses forever

Amid rising COVID-19 cases and ongoing restrictions, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ annual convention will not meet in person for the first time since 1897. The new adaptations designed for the pandemic have provided increased accessibility for Witnesses normally unable to attend, changes that will long outlive social-distancing guidelines.

News, North AmericaLiza VandenboomJuly 24, 2020Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's witnesses convention, coronavirus relief, disability, online worship, online congregation, church at home, COVID-19, covid-19 pandemic, Christianity, Primary Feature, Secondary FeatureComment

Rev. C.T. Vivian Remembered As Fearless Civil Rights Veteran, Loving Family Man

The voice and legacy of Rev. C.T. Vivian was memorialized at the Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta July 23 during a funeral that captured the faith and spirit of one of the most courageous veterans of the Civil Rights movement. Watch the full recording here.

News, North AmericaHamil R. HarrisJuly 23, 2020CT Vivian, ct vivian funeral, Hamil R. Harris, Primary Feature, civil rights, racism, John Lewis, Obama, Oprah, Joe Biden, Andrew Young, MLK, Provident Missionary Baptist Church, Secondary Feature Comment

Little Rock church set ablaze by BLM protest is rebuilding

A church in Little Rock, Ark. is working to rebuild after its building was firebombed during Black Lives Matter protests in May. Its efforts to rebuild go beyond the physical, as an effort entitled Project Hope works to increase diversity in the church.

North America, NewsErik TryggestadJuly 23, 2020Erik Tryggestad, Arkansas, Little Rock, Bible, Project Hope, church, rebuilding, churches, Secondary FeatureComment

Civil Rights Activist Rev. C.T. Vivian's memorial set to livestream Thursday morning

C.T. Vivian’s funeral will take place at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. The service is limited to 50 people because of COVID-19 precautions but will livestreamed online Thursday at 11am ET.

News, North AmericaHamil R. HarrisJuly 22, 2020ct vivian, ct vivian funeral, livestream ct vivian funeral, Hamil R. Harris, Primary FeatureComment

Top Online Tributes to Mary Magdalene on her Feast Day

Mary Magdalene, the first apostle of Jesus and first to see him resurrected, is trending on Twitter on her feast day. She’s been reinvented numerous times throughout church history and even attracts fans outside the faith.