City drops charges against pastor as sides negotiate over Ohio church’s 24/7 ministry
United States AP An Ohio city has dropped criminal charges against a pastor over his around-the-clock ministry to the homeless and others in need of help while the two sides work to end the dispute that has landed in a US federal court. A municipal prosecutor this week moved to dismiss code violation charges against Dad’s […]
A pastor and a small Ohio city tussle over the legality of his 24/7 homeless ministry
Columbus, Ohio, US AP A Christian church in the US state of Ohio filed a federal lawsuit this week after its pastor was charged with violating city ordinances when he opened up the sanctuary around the clock for homeless people and others to find shelter. Police this month filed 18 criminal charges against Dad’s Place […]
In wake of abortion vote in US state of Ohio, some clergy rejoice, others mourn
United StatesRNS In the wake of a sound abortion rights victory in Ohio, some faith leaders are rejoicing, others mourn and all say their efforts to mobilise around abortion are far from over. “Asking for God’s protection and mercy, we must look ahead,” Ohio’s Catholic bishops said in a statement after the state’s voters approved Issue 1, […]
Haiti missionary abductions: Prayer for kidnappers deeply rooted in mission group’s faith
PETER SMITH, of Associated Press, looks at the group at the centre of the Haiti missionary kidnappings…
Updated: Gang with past abductions blamed for kidnapping missionaries in Haiti
Updated: 7.30am (AEDT)Port-au-Prince, HaitiAP A notorious Haitian gang known for brazen kidnappings and killings was accused by police Sunday of abducting 17 missionaries from a US-based organisation. Five children were believed to be among those kidnapped. The 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped the group – which also included some elderly people – in Ganthier, a commune that […]
Low vaccination rates: Amish put faith in God’s will and herd immunity over vaccine
JOHN SEEWER, of Associated Press, reports on how Amish communities across the US are lagging behind when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations…
Wow!: In Ohio, Wilberforce University, AME Church school, cancels debt for 2020, 2021 grads
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports from the US…
US state of Ohio passes new law banning officials from closing places of worship
Columbus, OhioAP Houses of worship can’t be shut down by local or state officials, and elections can’t be moved from their prescribed dates, under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Governor Mike DeWine and pushed by fellow Republican lawmakers angered over orders meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. DeWine expressly did not […]
Americans divided as states postpone abortions over coronavirus
New York City, USThomson Reuters Foundation The US states of Texas and Ohio have ordered abortions be postponed as non-essential procedures to free up resources to fight coronavirus, a move critics said on Tuesday was political. Officials in the two states, which already have severe restrictions on abortions, said postponing elective procedures would allow beds […]
Death toll from Texas shooting rampage rises to 22, Trump to visit El Paso
El Paso, TexasReuters Two more victims of a shooting rampage at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, died of their wounds on Monday, police said, raising the death toll to 22 in the massacre as US President Donald Trump planned a visit to the stricken community. The latest fatalities bring to 31 the number […]