RNS

Should clergy call the cops? (RNS) — Respecting the confidentiality of confession does not mean taking no action.

“The secrecy of the confession is morally absolute for the confessor and must under no circumstances be broken," said Gretchen Rehberg, bishop of the of the Episcopal Church’s Spokane Diocese.
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New Jersey church threatened by eminent domain gets a reprieve – for now (RNS) — Church leaders and Mayor Dan Rodrick have been at odds for months over the future of the property.

“Attempts to take a house of worship by eminent domain would be a great injustice to the community Christ Church has served for 160 years," Bishop Sally French said. "It would also infringe on our religious freedom.”
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This Tisha B'Av, some Jews are mourning another destruction (RNS) — On a day when Jews mourn the destruction of the first and second temples, some Jews believe the destruction of Gaza should also be mourned.

“How can we mourn the suffering of Jews 2,000 years ago, see the destruction of Gaza now, and not act in the name of ‘never again’?” asked an email by the Halachic Left.
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80 years since Hiroshima, a world without nuclear weapons is still possible (RNS) — Instead, the US government is pouring billions more of our tax dollars into building a new generation of nuclear weapons and planning to resume nuclear testing.

OPINION: Diplomacy is our best defense against the unimaginable. Preventing a new arms race requires courage, foresight and leadership.
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Pope Leo confirms John Henry Newman as doctor of the church VATICAN CITY (RNS) — St. John Henry Newman’s teachings on the development of theology and the centrality of conscience have deeply influenced the Catholic Church.

John Henry Newman, a 19th-century Anglican convert and cardinal, is best known for his writings on doctrinal development and the primacy of conscience. With this recognition, the Vatican affirms his global theological legacy.
religionnews.com/2025/07/31/p...

The quiet war: What’s fueling Israel’s surge of settler violence – and the lack of state response (The Conversation) — Violence in the West Bank has intensified since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, as Israel’s war against Hamas drags on in the Gaza Strip, a quieter but escalating war has unfolded in the West Bank between Israelis and Palestinians.
religionnews.com/2025/08/01/t...

Photos of the Week: Saint festival in feathers, Army chaplains (RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo gallery includes a Peruvian saint's festival celebrated in feathers, 250 years of US…

Take a look at this week's collection of religious expression from around the world, as told through photos.
religionnews.com/2025/07/29/p...

With growing urgency, more US Jews urge Israel to ensure ample food deliveries to Gaza What is clear is that the ranks of American Jews alarmed by the current conditions in Gaza have swelled and now include major organizations that customarily avoid critiques of Israeli policies.

It’s notable that a broad swath of U.S. Jews — reacting to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza — have been urging the Israeli government to do more to ensure the delivery of food and medicine.
religionnews.com/2025/08/01/w...

With no access to education beyond the 6th grade, girls in Afghanistan turn to religious schools KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The country’s Taliban government banned girls from secondary school and university three years ago — the only country in the world to do so.

The country’s Taliban government banned girls from secondary school and university three years ago — the only country in the world to do so.
religionnews.com/2025/07/28/w...

Dozens killed while seeking food in Gaza as US envoy heads to Israel DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel's military offensive and blockade have led to the “worst-case scenario of famine” in the coastal territory of some 2 million Palestinians, according to the…

Israel's military offensive and blockade have led to the “worst-case scenario of famine” in the coastal territory of some 2 million Palestinians, according to the leading international authority on hunger crises.
religionnews.com/2025/07/31/d...

From Sanctuary to Courtroom: Immigration and Religious Liberty with Legal expert Elizabeth Reiner Platt Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush interviews Elizabeth Reiner Platt, ⁠Director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Union Seminary.⁠ Liz is the author of the Project's new report,…

This week on "The State of Belief," host the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is joined by Elizabeth Reiner Platt, the brilliant mind leading the Law, Rights, and Religion Project.
religionnews.com/2025/08/02/f...

‘Just a jumble of bones.’ How a baby grave discovery has grown to haunt Ireland TUAM, Ireland (AP) — Ireland and the Catholic Church, once central to its identity, are grappling with the legacy of ostracizing unmarried women who they believed committed a mortal sin and…

“There was just a jumble of bones,” Franny Hopkins said. “We didn’t know if we’d found a treasure or a nightmare.”
religionnews.com/2025/08/01/j...

Pope marks 50th anniversary of Cold War-era deal on security and human rights ROME (AP) — Renewing his appeal for peace in the world, Leo said: “Today, more than ever, it is imperative to cherish the spirit of Helsinki, persevere in dialogue, strengthen cooperation and make…

Renewing his appeal for peace in the world, Leo said: “Today, more than ever, it is imperative to cherish the spirit of Helsinki, persevere in dialogue, strengthen cooperation and make diplomacy the preferred way to prevent and resolve conflicts.”
religionnews.com/2025/07/31/p...

Years of impunity against Jewish extremist terror have created a monster (RNS) — Impunity, not justice, remains the rule.

OPINION: For years, Palestinians have warned that the Israeli-Palestinian political conflict must not be allowed to morph into a religious war, but it is now taking a dangerous religious turn.
religionnews.com/2025/07/30/y...

Vatican strikes solar farm deal to become the world’s first carbon-neutral state ROME (AP) — The agreement stipulates that the development of the Santa Maria Galeria site will preserve the agricultural use of the land and minimize the environmental impact on the territory,…

The agreement stipulates that the development of the Santa Maria Galeria site will preserve the agricultural use of the land and minimize the environmental impact on the territory.
religionnews.com/2025/08/01/v...

As 'What If...' returns to theaters, Dallas Jenkins recalls finding his Christian movie calling (RNS) — Years before the success of 'The Chosen,' the filmmaker 'was embarrassed by the notion of faith-based films,' he told RNS.

Years before he was the director, writer and producer of the hit Jesus show “The Chosen,” Dallas Jenkins was an emerging filmmaker who wasn’t a fan of Christian films.
religionnews.com/2025/08/01/d...

US cuts short Gaza ceasefire talks and accuses Hamas of lacking 'good faith' WASHINGTON (AP) — A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas following 21 months of war has eluded the Trump administration as humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza.

A breakthrough on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas following 21 months of war has eluded the Trump administration as humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza.
religionnews.com/2025/07/28/u...

The Supreme Court's radical revision of its views on religion in public schools (RNS) — Promoting religion is now the order of the day.

OPINION: American courts don’t get to differentiate legitimate from illegitimate religious beliefs. All judges are allowed to determine is whether a belief is sincerely held.
religionnews.com/2025/07/28/t...

ACNA bishops, leaders weigh in on turbulent Ruch trial (RNS) — On Friday, a lawyer who worked alongside the prosecutor claimed the court’s integrity has been ‘fatally undermined.’ On Tuesday, church leaders voiced confidence in the court’s ability to…

Last Friday, a lawyer who worked alongside the prosecutor claimed the court’s integrity has been "fatally undermined." On Tuesday, church leaders voiced confidence in the court’s ability to carry out the trial.
religionnews.com/2025/07/29/a...

Released Israeli-Argentinian hostage fights for brother still held by Hamas KFAR SABA, Israel (AP) — He was released Feb. 15 after 498 days in captivity. For most of that time, he was held in an underground cell in a tunnel with several other hostages, including his younger…

“When there’s less food, then there’s also less for the hostages. When there’s aid, there’s a possibility you might get a cucumber,” said former Israeli-Argentinian hostage Iair Horn.
religionnews.com/2025/07/29/r...

Crowd surge at Hindu temple in northern India leaves at least 6 dead LUCKNOW, India (AP) — The incident in the pilgrimage city of Haridwar occurred after a high-voltage electric wire reportedly fell on a temple path, triggering panic among the large crowd of devotees.

The incident in the pilgrimage city of Haridwar occurred after a high-voltage electric wire reportedly fell on a temple path, triggering panic among the large crowd of devotees.
religionnews.com/2025/07/29/c...

Photo Gallery: 250 years of US military chaplaincy (RNS) — United States military chaplaincy history shown in photos.

Take a look at our gallery of photos honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military chaplaincy.
religionnews.com/2025/07/28/p...

Well-known Palestinian activist committed to nonviolence killed by an Israeli settler (RNS) — Awdah Hathaleen, who worked as an English teacher, was a beloved leader in his community’s nonviolent resistance. In June, he was denied entry to the U.S. on a speaking engagement.

A well-known and beloved activist and a leader in his community’s nonviolent resistance, Awdah Hathaleen is mourned across the world by Muslims, Jews and Christians he had befriended over the past decade.
religionnews.com/2025/07/29/a...

French ministers condemn 'excessive use of force' after Jewish youths were removed from a flight PARIS (AP) — Forty-four minors and eight adult French passengers were kicked off flight V8166 from Valencia to Paris on July 23, for what Spanish police and the airline described as unruly behavior.

Forty-four minors and eight adult French passengers were kicked off flight V8166 from Valencia to Paris on July 23, for what Spanish police and the airline described as unruly behavior.
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A Columbia genocide scholar says she may leave over university's new definition of antisemitism NEW YORK (AP) — At universities across the country, academics have raised alarm about growing efforts to define antisemitism on terms pushed by the Trump administration, often under the threat of…

“A university that treats criticism of Israel as antisemitic and threatens sanctions for those who disobey is no longer a place of open inquiry,” said Marianne Hirsch, a prominent genocide scholar and the daughter of two Holocaust survivors.
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Head of China's famous Shaolin Temple under investigation on suspicion of embezzling funds BEIJING (AP) — The notice said a joint investigation was being carried out by multiple departments and its findings would be announced in due course.

Local media reported that Shi Yongxin had faced accusations in the past, including claims that he fathered several children and embezzled money.
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A group of observant Jews set out to reclaim their tradition's focus on justice, mercy amid Gaza war NEW YORK (RNS) — The Halachic Left is one of several new Jewish protest groups that have formed after Oct. 7, 2023, to argue for a reclaiming of a Judaism of lovingkindness.

The daylong forum — the first of its kind for a nascent group called the Halachic Left — included a raft of scholars, rabbis and activists who examined what Jewish texts say about war, nationalism, Jewish settlements and protest.
religionnews.com/2025/07/28/a...

Fourth group of religious organizations sues US over ICE raids at churches (RNS) — “As people of faith, we cannot abide losing the basic right to provide care and compassion,” Bishop Brenda Bos of the ELCA’s Southwest California Synod, a plaintiff in the case, said in a…

“As people of faith, we cannot abide losing the basic right to provide care and compassion,” Bishop Brenda Bos of the ELCA’s Southwest California Synod, a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement.
religionnews.com/2025/07/28/f...

Amid trial crisis, ACNA pushes forward with clergy misconduct overhaul (RNS) — For some, the turbulence of the ongoing church trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch highlights the weight of reforms seeking to push the church toward a clearer, more comprehensive process.

"We’re undertaking, as you’ve heard several times, perhaps one of the most comprehensive canonical reforms we’ve had,” Archbishop Steve Wood, ACNA’s primate, told the town hall.
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