Fires raging in American church: Catholics face hard choices after McCarrick scandal

Priests know what it's like to enter the pulpit facing scriptures that appear to have been torn from the headlines.That happened just the other day, with news that one of America's most powerful Catholics – retired Archbishop Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C. – had been accused of the sexual abuse of boys, as well as decades of seminarians. Days later the Sunday Mass lectionary featured the Prophet Jeremiah, speaking for Jehovah: "Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture."

News mystery: Why so little interest in 'mainline' Protestants' liberal politicking?

(OPINION) “Mainline” Protestant groups have been ardent in politicking for leftward and anti-Trump causes, perhaps even moreso than with the typical evangelical congregation. You would barely know this, if at all, from reading or viewing most news media reports.

A Man on a Mission: Rescuing Trafficked North Koreans

Despite one of the most severe crackdowns on North Korean refugees in China in recent years, Steven Kim and his team actively search in villages for North Korean women to support them through Christian counseling and provide humanitarian support.

News, Religion News, Religion, PoliticsSylvia YuJuly 28, 2018Primary Feature, North Korea, Sylvia Yu

St. Basil's World Cup

The biggest star at this World Cup wasn't Messi, Ronaldo, or Neymar. How St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square became the symbol of #Russia2018

Two prominent namers of names inside DC Beltway warrant in-depth religion profiles

(COMMENTARY) Justice Anthony Kennedy’s Supreme Court retirement throws the spotlight on one of the most influential players in Washington, D.C., when it comes to deciding what individuals inhabit the centers of power. Leonard Leo, executive vice president of the Federalist Society and the go-to guy for names of federal court appointees when Republicans rule the White House. Journalists should also be taking a close look at another Republican networker and talent-spotter, Kay Coles James, the president of the Heritage Foundation.

Doctrine divides, Service unites

Thanks to the organizing efforts of Muslim and Christian community leaders, living conditions are slowly improving for some of the poorest people in Indonesia.

News, Religion News, Religion, PoliticsKyle KendrickJune 26, 2018Primary Feature, muslim, Islam, Indonesia

Indonesian Muslims are protecting Christians from church bombings

Amid large increases in religious persecution, Muslims in Indonesia are organizing massive defensive measures to protect Indonesian religious groups.

News, Religion News, Religion, PoliticsBrittin WardJune 18, 2018Primary Feature, muslim, Islam, Indonesia

Wearing Religion On Her Sleeve

Historically, Indonesian Muslims have worn loosely wrapped, somewhat transparent, colorful scarves. Now, the most common covering is the jilbab, an opaque square scarf which is tightly wrapped and pinned under the chin, and typically does not show any hair. For Muslims who do not wear one, it is enough to “cover their hearts.” But for *Aya and many other Muslim women, the ritual of physically covering her body is also important, as it puts the religious principle into practice — an external expression of an internal disposition.

News, Religion News, Religion, PoliticsAudrey CooperJune 14, 2018Primary Feature, sufi, muslim, israel, Islam, Jerusalem

Sufi spirituality transcends religious borders in the Holy Land

Wearing a full and graying beard, khaki trousers and a woolen vest, 66-year-old Ya’cub ibn Yusuf, puttered around his little shop. Sufi-inspired sounds played by an Israeli musician piped from the speakers above. “Spiritual Books for Sale,” read the sign outside the door.

News, Religion News, Religion, PoliticsFergus Tuohy June 7, 2018Primary Feature, sufi, muslim, israel, Islam, Jerusalem

The Catholic Church's Crisis in Chile

Thirty-four Chilean bishops are waiting Pope Francis' decision regarding their future after the recent scandal of concealment of sexual abuse. Many parishioners and church leaders in the region say the Chilean church is at its worst.

The Archbishop of Delhi's Call for Prayer

Why has a letter by the Archbishop of Delhi to all the Parish priests and religious institutions in the Archdiocese of Delhi with the subject ‘Prayer for our nation’ created a firestorm in India? The media suddenly is abuzz after several different voices across the political spectrum cry foul that the letter is meant to divide the nation on communal lines. Notably, the right wing Hindu organization’s ideologue called it a "direct attack on secularism and democracy."

Religious Liberty: For the Health of the Whole World

An Australian Anglican pastor, academic, and human rights activist, Mark Durie is also very critical of Islam – especially on the issue of religious liberty. He speaks of ‘moderate’ governments whose economic openness and political cooperation is lauded by the West, which turns a blind eye to their blatant restrictions on religious liberty. But Durie's concern goes beyond just the victims, to include those who let it slide.

Jeffrey Bell – A Catholic politico caught between two political worlds

(COMMENTARY) Republican Jeffrey Bell died in February, after a career in which he ran for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey – in 1978 and 2014 – but was better known for work behind the scenes helping others, following beliefs that escaped easy political labels.

Is Predominantly Catholic Philippines Ready for Divorce?

At a time when the Philippine culture is showing and allowing openness to more liberal concepts and lifestyles that are tagged as the “new normal,” there appears to be a persistent aversion to divorce from the majority of the population, primarily by members of the Catholic and Christian faith.

What is secular aid good for? The link between graft, spirituality and poverty

In the wake of the UK-based Oxfam scandal in which aid workers in the Haiti earthquake aftermath exchanged aid for sex and used local prostitutes, disparate Christian voices around the world are calling for reform to the Western aid system.

Friendship trumps partisan politics at 2018 National Prayer Breakfast

(OPINION) The mood at the recent National Prayer Breakfast was affectionate when Rep. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans introduced House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. People keep asking how the two can be such close friends when they disagree on about "80 percent" of the issues facing America. The key, Richmond said, is to understand that faith can transcend politics.

Failure to communicate - Cardinal Marx and gay blessings

(Commentary) Our review of the U.S. press coverage of claims that Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich, the president of the Deutsche Bischofskonferenz (DBK), had given his permission to clergy to bless same-sex unions has sparked rigorous debate on social media. George Conger responds with his perspective on what is causing the discord.

Why Trump Administration Officials Cited Religious Freedom When Cutting Off Funds To Pakistan

The Trump administration cited religious freedom as reason to crimp funds to Pakistan this month, opening a new chapter of strained relationships between two nuclear power frenemies.

Absent Religious Liberty, No End in Sight for Iran's Protests

Angry uprisings flared up in 80 cities across Iran since late December, until being violently shut down by the Revolutionary Guards. The protests have deeply shaken the religious elite who rule Iran. They’ve also exposed the state’s systemic dysfunction, as well as widespread rage and resentment among Iran’s populace — most notably among the poor and disadvantaged.

“Are We Not Humans?” Thousands of transgenders in Kashmir are fighting for their rights and against social stigma

While the transgender community in the West has scored political victories and turned public opinion in favor of more rights, 4.8 million members of the transgender community in India still struggle to fight for their rights and against social stigma.

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