New survey finds pockets of support for Christian nationalism across US
United States RNS A new report released on Wednesday found that roughly three in 10 Americans express some sympathy for Christian nationalism, with its greatest popularity concentrated in the south-east and upper mid-west. The findings appear in a study from the Public Religion Research Institute, which probed public support for Christian nationalism as part of […]
Vatican, other faith leaders join in push for end of death penalty in US state of Louisiana
United StatesRNS The Vatican has joined US faith leaders and anti-death penalty activists in supporting the Louisiana Governor’s desire to clear the death row cells in his state. Governor John Bel Edwards, a Catholic Democrat, called in August for the Louisiana Board of Pardons to reconsider applications for clemency of 56 prisoners on the state’s […]
Rising waters – and costs: As climate risks rise, flood insurance costs stun US homeowners
DAVID SHERFINSKI and DIANA BAPTISTA, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, report…
In the US, Louisiana churches leave Methodist denomination amid schism
New Orleans, Louisiana, US AP The United Methodist Church, a mainstay of the American religious landscape, has cut ties with 58 churches in its Louisiana conference amid a nationwide schism within the Protestant denomination. The disaffiliations, approved in a virtual conference session Saturday, were the latest in a series of decisions that many Louisiana churches have made […]
Lag in slavery reparations from US Jesuits irks descendants
United StatesAP Last year, the US branch of the Jesuits pledged to raise $US100 million for a reconciliation initiative in partnership with descendants of people once enslaved by the Catholic order. On Tuesday, a leader of those descendants expressed deep dissatisfaction with the order’s lack of progress since then. Joseph Stewart, in a publicly released letter to […]
Combatting power outages: ‘Community Lighthouses’ powered by the sun and volunteers
REBECCA SANTANA, of Associated Press, reports on how a project involving local churches in south-east Louisiana is helping people who are vulnerable during power outages…
In the US, Louisiana justices toss COVID-related charges against pastor
New Orleans, USAP The Louisiana Supreme Court threw out charges Friday against a pastor who flouted restrictions on gatherings early in the coronavirus pandemic, ruling five-to-two that the governor’s executive orders violated freedom of religion. “This is a tremendous win for religious civil liberties and it has vindicated us in our…battle with the Governor trying to close […]
“You can’t run from climate change”: The climate crisis is increasingly a refugee crisis, US faith resettlement groups say
As the world marked Earth Day on Friday, EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER. of Religion News Service, reports on the connection between refugees and climate change…
Preparing for a different future: After Ida, US cities eye more equal resilience plans
DAVID SHERFINSKI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how US cities are scrambling to prepare for the next climate-fueled storm…
After Ida: In the US, Louisiana residents thankful for small miracles
MATT SEDENSKY and AARON MORRISON, of Associated Press, report that as churches held services in makeshift premises a week after Hurricane Ida struck, many in Louisiana continue to face food, water and gas shortages as well as power outages while battling heat and humidity…