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.
Iraqi Christians reenact Jesus carrying the cross on Good Friday
An Iraqi man was filmed carrying a wood cross through a small village in northern Iraq, one of many observances held to commemorate the Christian holiday of Good Friday.
Notre Dame: '15 or 20 years' needed for restoration after fire, rector says
The rector of Notre Dame said Friday that the burned-out Paris cathedral and its esplanade could remain a building site for another “15 or 20 years.”
Some Holy Land sites reopen as Christians mark Good Friday
Christians in the Holy Land are marking Good Friday this year amid signs the coronavirus crisis is winding down.
US church membership falls below 50% for 1st time in nearly a century
For the first time since the late 1930s, less than half of Americans say they belong to a church, synagogue or mosque, according to a new Gallup poll.
New Dead Sea Scrolls dating back nearly 2,000 years discovered in Israel
The new Dead Sea Scroll fragments bearing a biblical text are believed to have been hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago.
Vatican says Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions as God ‘can’t bless sin’
The Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response Monday to a question about whether Catholic clergy can bless gay unions.
Pennsylvania church treasurer accused of stealing $150G to fuel porn addiction
A Pennsylvania church treasurer is accused of stealing over $150,000 from the house of worship to fuel his addiction to porn, according to reports.
Texas bill would make places of worship be considered essential
Witnesses told the Senate State Affairs Committee that churches play an important role by providing aid and comfort during disasters.
Missouri pastor on leave after telling wives to 'lose weight,' strive to look like Melania Trump
A Missouri pastor is on leave and in counseling after he told his congregation in a sermon last month that wives should make themselves sexually available to their husbands, "lose weight," and look less "butch."
Pope Francis calls on Christians to forgive in land ISIS once ruled
Pope Francis has urged Iraq's Christians to forgive the injustices committed against them by Islamic extremists.
Pope Francis holds historic, symbolic meeting with top Iraq Shiite cleric
Pope Francis and Iraq’s top Shiite cleric have delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence, urging Muslims to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered Christian minority during a historic meeting.
In visit to Baghdad, Pope Francis urges Iraq to embrace its Christians
Pope Francis has urged Iraqis to treat their Christian brothers as a precious resource to protect, not an “obstacle” to eliminate as he opens the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.
Abortion concerns prompt Catholic archdiocese warning on vaccine
Roman Catholic leaders in St. Louis and New Orleans are advising Catholics that the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, newly approved for use in the U.S., is “morally compromised” because it is produced using a cell line derived from an aborted fetus.
Catholic school kicks out kids after mom posts explicit photos online
Crystal Jackson says posting images on the adult, membership-based website has helped her marriage, and now earns her $150,000 a month.
Fort Worth megachurch feeding thousands of North Texans struggling without power, clean water
The need for food and water cannot be underestimated. One North Texas megachurch is doing its part to help thousands of families get through this power and water crisis.
Ashes to be sprinkled over parishioners' heads during pandemic Ash Wednesday
The coronavirus pandemic will change the way ashes are distributed to Christians worldwide on Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season.