60 House Democrats sign letter asking Catholic leaders to reconsider Biden rebuke over abortion

U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.

Southern Baptists vote to probe leaders on handling of alleged sexual abuse

Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting have voted overwhelmingly to create a task force to oversee an independent investigation into the denomination’s handling of sexual abuse.

Secret recordings, leaked letters show Southern Baptist officials neglected sexual abuse claims

Releases of leaked letters and secret recordings from within the Southern Baptist Convention are intensifying as critics seek to show top leaders were slow to address sexual abuse and worried more about its reputation and donations than about victims.

Rick Warren, Saddleback megachurch pastor, to retire

Saddleback Church's pastor and "The Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren announced he will step down.

Sex abuse probe: Milwaukee Archdiocese won't cooperate with state

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is refusing to turn over documents to state investigators who are looking into clergy sexual abuse in Wisconsin's five Roman Catholic dioceses.

Vatican law criminalizes sexual abuse of adults by priests, laity

After 14 years of study, Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly criminalize the sexual abuse of adults by priests who abuse their authority and to say that laypeople who hold church office can be sanctioned too.

Pope Francis kisses Auschwitz survivor's tattoo

Pope Francis has kissed the tattoo of an Auschwitz survivor during a general audience on Wednesday.

German Catholics will bless same-sex couples, defying Vatican ban

Germany’s powerful Catholic progressives are openly defying a recent Holy See pronouncement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions.

Hamas fires rockets into Israel after clashes at revered mosque

Palestinian health officials in the Gaza Strip say a total of 20 people, including nine children, have been killed in fighting with Israel — making it one of the bloodiest days of fighting in several years.

Italian judge on the path to sainthood after getting killed by mobsters

A magistrate slain by mobsters in Sicily and praised by two popes has been beatified by the Roman Catholic church on Sunday in the last formal step before possible sainthood.

Catholic bishops debate if Biden should receive communion given abortion stance

There’s a deep gulf between Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego in the high-stakes debate over whether politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion

Faith leaders oppose ‘heartbeat bill’ measures at Texas Capitol

Those opposed to SB 8 say the legal liability is too broad. It’s claimed that under the law a rapist could sue the family members of his victim if they recommend an abortion should be done.

Clergy sex abuse probe launched by Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul

Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a statewide initiative, led by the Wisconsin DOJ, which will review reports of clergy and faith leader abuse.

Immigrants in sanctuary churches get temporary deportation relief

Both Hilda Ramirez and Alirio Gamez say they have won one-year stays of removal, gaining a long-awaited reprieve from the threat of deportation.

California lifts COVID-19 limits on indoor worship services following US Supreme Court rulings

California lifted its limits on indoor worship services in the face of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that struck down the coronavirus public health mandates. However, the state still said indoor gatherings were “strongly discouraged” and advised limiting the numbers to 25% of a building’s capacity.

Poll: 40% of evangelical Protestants, largest religious group in US, hesitant to get COVID-19 vaccine

A recent photo posted online of the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest evangelical denomination, getting the COVID-19 vaccine drew more than 1,100 comments.

'This is scandalous': Pope decries war, weapons spending amid the pandemic in Easter message

“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. Nevertheless — and this is scandalous — armed conflicts have not ended, and military arsenals are being strengthened,'' Francis said, sounding angry. “That is today's scandal.”

Christians celebrate second Easter marred by COVID-19 pandemic

Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with faithful sitting far apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday.