Chicago church preaches ‘The Gospel according to Dolly Parton’
Chicago, USRNS She’s been hailed as a “secular country-pop saint” and the “Jesus of Appalachia“. Her ability to bridge divides has made her the subject of many a recent think piece, a popular podcast series and even proposals to replace statues of Confederate figures with her image. And over the past few weeks, Dolly Parton […]
Fire roars through church on Chicago’s South Side
Chicago, USAP A fire roared through a prominent church on Chicago’s South Side hours after it held Good Friday services, sending its roof caving in and likely leaving it a total loss. The multiple-alarm fire blaze at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church began after 2pm, an hour after services ended, and wasn’t brought under control […]
In the US, Chicago church’s plan to fast from ‘whiteness’ for Lent gets pushback
Chicago, USRNS To say that First United Church of Oak Park isn’t used to getting national media attention for its Lenten programming is “perhaps the understatement of the year,” according to senior pastor Rev John Edgerton. But after the congregation in suburban Chicago erected a banner announcing a fast from “whiteness” for Lent, the Christian […]
In US, the Pope’s allies gathered to discuss his vision – and his detractors
RNS You could argue a recent gathering of Catholic cardinals, bishops, scholars and journalists in Chicago wasn’t all that unusual. After all, gatherings of influential US Catholics are common, particularly among the church’s conservative wing. But as news rolled in about the assembly of prominent faithful over the past week, peculiarities emerged. For instance: The […]
COVID-19 vaccines and the church: Some pastors fear talking about vaccines. Bishop Horace Smith sees them as a blessing.
BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports on how some US churches have been actively involved in encouraging COVID-19 vaccines…
In the US, cleared Chicago priest holds first Mass since reinstatement
Chicago, USAP An activist Roman Catholic priest cleared by an Archdiocese of Chicago investigation into claims that he sexually abused several boys decades ago returned to the pulpit of his longtime church on Sunday for the first time in five months. “It’s good to be home,” Rev Michael Pfleger repeatedly told congregants of the Faith […]
Chicago priest Pfleger reinstated after abuse investigation
Chicago, USAP Nationally known activist Chicago priest, Rev Michael Pfleger will be reinstated as the leader of his parish after an investigation found “no reason to suspect” he sexually abused children, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago announced Monday. The decision from the archdiocese comes more than four months after it asked Pfleger to step […]
US Catholic archdiocese priest probe continues despite agency’s findings
Chicago, USAP There is no evidence to support allegations accusing Rev Michael Pfleger of abusing two brothers in their early teens decades ago, but this doesn’t mean the claims are untrue, Illinois’ child protection agency said in a letter to the Chicago priest Friday. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services won’t list Pfleger […]
US author Shauna Niequist apologises for her silence following allegations against father, Bill Hybels
RNS Popular Christian author Shauna Niequist has apologised for her silence following the allegations against her father, Bill Hybels, the founding pastor of suburban Chicago megachurch Willow Creek Community Church. Niequist spoke out about the allegations for the first time in a long Instagram caption posted on Monday accompanying a simple image with the words “An apology”. […]
In the US, activist priest Michael Pfleger hit with abuse allegations
Chicago, USAP Activist Chicago priest Rev Michael Pfleger has been asked to step aside due to allegations of sexual abuse that occurred decades ago, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Tuesday. The archdiocese said its Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review received an allegation that Pfleger sexually abused a minor more than 40 years ago. […]