US Southern Baptists report condemns “epidemic” of abuse, looks at ways to assist victims
RNS A new Southern Baptist Convention report on sex abuse, filled with the voices of survivors, acknowledges numerous ways the denomination has failed to protect members of its churches. The Caring Well report also summarises a range of next steps to address the issue, including educating congregations about abuse, preparing them to help survivors and […]
In northern Nigeria, Muslims and Christians take small steps toward reconciliation
Kampala, UgandaRNS Recently, a group of Muslims visited Christian widows and orphans in north-western Nigeria and donated food, clothing and school items as part of efforts to enhance peaceful coexistence among different faiths. “I can’t believe they came and visited me,” said Judy Ugwu, a mother of four who lives in Kaduna state in northwestern […]
US Catholic bishops and laypeople may live in different news bubbles
RNS When Catholic bishops want to know what’s going on in the world, they’re likely to tune in to Fox News. Their parishioners, however, appear to prefer CNN. Newly revealed data reported by the National Catholic Reporter shows that news-watching habits of Catholic bishops seem to skew significantly more conservative than American Catholics overall, hinting […]
WOMEN AND THE VOTE: IN THE US, FAITH PLAYED A COMPLEX ROLE IN THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
ELIZABETH EVANS, in an article first published on Religion News Service, looks at the intersection between faith and the women’s suffrage movement in the US…
Folau launches legal action against Rugby Australia
Melbourne, AustraliaReuters Rubgy player Israel Folau launched legal proceedings against Rugby Australia over the termination of his contract on Thursday, casting the action as the pursuit of his “right to religious freedom”. Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, was sacked by Rugby Australia and his Super Rugby club New South Wales Waratahs last month for a post […]
Converts, pastors threatened with death as Gospel meetings banned in Uganda town
Morning Star News Police have banned evangelistic events in a town in western Uganda following open-air preaching in which many Muslims put their faith in Christ, sources have told Morning Star News. Churches in Bwera, on Uganda’s western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, held a joint evangelistic event amid the large Muslim population […]
Christians in their hundreds brave wet conditions for Sydney Prayer Breakfast
More than 1,400 Christians from across denominations gathered at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on Wednesday for the city’s annual prayer breakfast. The 2019 Sydney Prayer Breakfast. PICTURE: Christopher Gilbert Attendees at the breakfast, first held 10 years ago with 400 people, found shelter from the winter rain in the fifth floor ballroom of the Darling Harbour […]
LIFESTORY: TO BOTHAM JEAN’S PARENTS, FATAL SHOOTING STILL FEELS “AS IF IT JUST HAPPENED”
In an article published by Religion News Service, BOBBY ROSS, Jr, speaks to Bertrum and Allison Jean about their emotional journey as racial unity summit and mission trip pay tribute to their slain son Botham…
Urban oil well to be shut down, cleaned up after pressure from LA faith activists
Los Angeles, US RNS After years of advocating by community and faith organisations, the city of Los Angeles is officially requiring an oil and gas company to close and clean up a neighbourhood drill site. “It’s one of the closest sites to residential homes within the whole city,” said Niki Wong, director of policy and […]
US Southern Baptist leaders plan to remedy “insufficient” approach to abuse claims
RNS Southern Baptists hope to take steps at their upcoming annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, to address continuing reports of sexual abuse in their denomination. Leaders of the nation’s largest – but declining – Protestant denomination will consider an amendment that would allow the Southern Baptist Convention to remove from its ranks a church that […]