Christian leaders press US lawmakers to extend child tax credit for poor families
Washington DC, USRNS A campaign backed by a broad coalition of Christian leaders will urge Congress to extend the child tax credit to low-income families, hoping to broaden access to the popular financial assistance program after lawmakers allowed an expanded version to expire last year. Beginning with an advertisement in Politico Magazine that will run […]
ELCA Lutherans mark 35th anniversary amid calls to expand beyond European roots
RNS It’s both the oldest and the youngest of large Lutheran denominations in the United States, by the World Council of Churches’ reckoning. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America logo. GRAPHIC: Courtesy ELCA The mainline Evangelical Lutheran Church in America officially was created 35 years ago this Saturday, the result of a merger of […]
Vaccine mandates: Many US faith leaders wary of religious exemptions for vaccine
DAVID CRARY and PETER SMITH, of Associated Press, report on how Christian leaders and those of other faiths are responding to vaccine exemption requests…
Catholic, Protestant groups support commission on US Indian boarding school policy
RNS A number of Catholic groups and Protestant denominations are calling for the United States to establish a Truth and Healing Commission to reckon with the country’s history of boarding schools that separated thousands of Indigenous children from their families and cultures during the 19 and 20 centuries. Their support comes as the Catholic Church […]
The Long Read: On day of remembrance, churches confront their role in Indigenous boarding schools
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, reports on how US churches are grappling with the role they played in the country’s boarding school system for Indigenous children…
Boy Scouts of America: Bankruptcy creates rift with religious partners
DAVID CRARY, of Associated Press, reports on the fallout from Boy Scouts of America’s complex bankruptcy case…
Christian leaders meet with White House to advocate for social programs, voting rights
Washington DC, US RNS Faith leaders representing a broad spectrum of Christian groups will meet with White House officials on Wednesday to advocate for voting rights and social programs they say protect the poor and vulnerable. The group, which is organised by the advocacy organisation Circle of Protection, includes influential Catholics, leaders of major Black […]
In the US, many faith leaders say no to endorsing vaccine exemptions
AP As significant numbers of Americans seek religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine mandates, many faith leaders are saying: Not with our endorsement. Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said Thursday that while some people may have medical reasons for not receiving the vaccine, “there is no exemption in the Orthodox Church for Her faithful from any […]
In the US, Nadia Bolz-Weber installed as ELCA’s first pastor of public witness
RNS Rev Nadia Bolz-Weber was installed on Friday as the first pastor of public witness for the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States. Bolz-Weber, who has often attracted controversy, is perhaps best known for her New York Times bestselling books, including Shameless: A Sexual Reformation and Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint, […]
As US Senate convenes hearing, more than 300 faith leaders declare support for DC statehood
Washington DC, USRNS More than 300 faith leaders and heads of prominent religious organisations signed a letter sent to Senate leadership on Tuesday backing the call to make Washington, DC, a state, adding religious support to the growing Democratic-led effort. “As clergy and faith leaders from across our nation, we write to express our strong […]