How Christianity Fueled Manny Pacquiao's Rise From Poverty To Presidential Candidate

Pacquiao, 42, announced his retirement from boxing on Sept. 28, weeks after announcing he will run for president in the Philippines election scheduled for May 2022. He has often spoken of his born-again evangelical faith in a country that’s nearly 90% Catholic.

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A Photo Exhibit By New York Catholics Honors Heroes Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

(ANALYSIS) The Sheen Center for Thought and Culture’s new series called “Portraits of Grace: Honoring Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic” offers a space for New Yorkers and Christians to reflect on the pandemic with an eye toward the hopeful.

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Ultra-Orthodox Jews Proclaim ‘Trump 2024’ In The Midst Of A Religious Celebration

(OPINION) Celebrating the culmination of Sukkot, thousands of ultra-Orthodox, Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn held hands and danced in the streets this week with yellow flags proclaiming “the Rebbe” as the Messiah and blue flags proclaiming “Trump 2024.”

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International Criminal Court To Investigate The Taliban And ISIS Branch In Afghanistan

(ANALYSIS) As the Taliban and the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate are taking over the country, the International Criminal Court says it will investigate crimes as they happen for better monitoring and evidence collection. The move may also trigger quicker action and response from international actors after atrocities happen.

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Patron Saint Of The Internet? Millennial’s Relic Touring New York Is One Miracle Short

The relic belongs to the first millennial considered for sainthood and was requested by the Diocese of Brooklyn to help reach the younger generation. The Catholic Church placed Carlo Acutis, a computer genius, on the path to sainthood after he coded a website that cataloged miracles and sightings of the Virgin Mary.

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Brian Laundrie’s Social Media Shows Interest In Death, Violence And Demons

The social media accounts of Brian Laundrie, the subject of a federal arrest warrant after the remains of his fiance Gabby Petito were found in Wyoming Sept. 19, reveal an interest in dark themes related to violence, demons and death. One image, for example, shows grim reapers surrounding sheep being led to slaughter.

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In Kazakhstan, Christians And Muslims Punished For Practicing Religion

Courts and police across Kazakhstan have fined at least 15 people and three organizations so far in 2021 for holding meetings for worship or other religious rituals without state permission. “It is not allowed to pray at any location unless it's approved,” an Aktobe police officer said.

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Netflix Horror Series ‘Midnight Mass’ Warns Christians To Be Careful Who They Worship

(REVIEW) “Midnight Mass,” a Netflix horror miniseries from creator Mike Flanagan, brings viewers to a small island town visited by a mysterious and charismatic priest and his accompanying “angel.” The show explores the enchanting power of miracles and asks Christians to be careful where they direct their worship.

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Will American Jews Abandon The Democratic Party?

(OPINION) Why is it that, generally speaking, Jews in different parts of the world tend to lean centrist or right — quite the opposite of things here in the U.S? There is an anomaly when it comes to Jewish voting, but Orthodox Jewish voters are looking more like White evangelicals.

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Prayer Monument To Break Ground In 2022, Hopeful About Brits' Interest In Spirituality

An art piece planned to preserve the Christian heritage of the United Kingdom and profile a million answered prayers is coming to life amid data showing increased interest in spirituality and prayer, especially among young people.

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For Christians Trapped In Afghanistan, British Bureaucracy Could Be A Killer

(OPINION) Religious minorities in Afghanistan — Sikhs, Hindus, Ahmadis and Christians — still need help to flee the Taliban. Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have intimated that they will allow these Afghans across their borders but only if their transit to other countries is confirmed, a step that the U.S. and U.K. must take quickly.

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Pope Francis Lashes Out At Criticism From The Catholic Press, Calls It 'Work Of The Devil'

Pope Francis is no fan of press criticism — especially when it comes from Catholic news outlets on the doctrinal right. In a candid moment during his recent trip to Slovakia, the pontiff’s comments sparked a Catholic media war that again highlights just how polarized Roman Catholics are in the Francis era.

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Christian Organization Predisan Provides Preaching, Healing In Honduras

Christian organization Predisan offers health care and pastoral services through its ministry in Honduras, a Central American nation of 9.7 million people that has reported nearly 345,000 infections and 9,050 deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

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‘Muhammad Ali’ On PBS Shows Impacts Of Boxer’s Muslim Faith

(REVIEW) A new Ken Burns documentary on PBS tells the story of the world’s greatest heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, including his friendship with Malcolm X and faith journey to Nation of Islam and then Sunni Islam.

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Violence In Montenegro Shows Persisting Division In Balkans And Orthodoxy

(ANALYSIS) In Montenegro, both the Serbian and Montenegrin Orthodox churches claim the rights to use Orthodox religious sites. But the Montenegrin Orthodox Church is not recognized by any other Orthodox church, and the conflict hits at questions over national identity, church-state relations and even U.S.-Russia relations.

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American Christian Ministry Delivers Desperately Needed Surgeries In Honduras

A team of surgeons from Atlanta has returned to Honduras — brought in by the Christian organization Predisan Health Ministries — to provide treatment to people who can’t afford to go to the Central American country’s private clinics. Some of those people have been waiting decades for an operation.

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As COVID-19 Vaccine War Rages, Focus On Religious Exemptions Grows

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the growing focus on religious exemptions amid pressure to vaccinate more Americans to slow the spread of COVID-19. Plus, check out the week’s best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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