Latest Christianity News
Syrian Christians want their identity and freedoms protected in any new constitution, envoy says
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — As Syria begins recovering from 50 years of autocratic rule by the Assad family, an international envoy says Christians and other religious groups expect their rights and freedoms to be preserved under a new constitutional settlement. Salina Shambos, a...
National Baptists’ new president, Boise Kimber, seeks to include women, young leaders
(RNS) — The Rev. Boise Kimber was officially installed as president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., during the midwinter board meeting of the predominantly Black denomination — which he hopes will become more inclusive of women and young leaders. NBCUSA members and...
Texas Association of Basketball Coaches high school rankings
SUGAR LAND, Texas (AP) — Texas Association of Basketball Coaches high school rankings for the week of Jan. 13: GIRLS PUBLIC Class 6A 1. Converse Judson, 27-1; 2. FW Boswell, 27-2; 3. Cypress Springs, 20-3; 4. League City Clear Brook, 25-2; 5. Denton...
Some US lawmakers want more Christianity in the classroom. Trump could embolden their plans
WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservative lawmakers across the U.S. are pushing to introduce more Christianity to public school classrooms, testing the separation of church and state by inserting Bible references into reading lessons and requiring teachers to post the Ten Commandments. The...
Who is Joseph Aoun, a low-profile army chief who is now Lebanon's president?
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s new president and former army commander Joseph Aoun has maintained a low profile. Those who know him say he is no-nonsense, kind and averse to affiliating himself with any party or even expressing a political opinion — a rarity for someone in Lebanon’s fractured,...
Ethiopians celebrate Christmas as natural calamities and conflict take their toll
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christians are celebrating Christmas with prayers for peace in the Horn of Africa nation that has faced persistent conflict in recent years. Ethiopians follow the Julian calendar, which runs 13 days later than the Gregorian...
Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? An AP Explainer about the anti-Nazi pastor
Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor and theologian from Germany executed by the Nazis in 1945 at age 39 for his role in a resistance movement that included attempts to assassinate German leader Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer was born in 1906...
Bulgarians celebrate the feast of Epiphany with a ritual plunge into icy rivers
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers in Bulgaria on Monday braved the freezing winter weather to plunge into icy waters as they observed centuries-old Epiphany traditions. Young men plunged into rivers and lakes across the Balkan country, which is...
Pope wraps up busy Christmas season by calling for culture of welcome in Christian communities
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis wrapped up a busy Christmas season on Monday by calling for the faithful to promote a culture of welcome and integration in their communities and reject discrimination. Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark Epiphany. According to the...
South Korean families pray for relatives who vanished into North Korean prisons a decade ago
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In the past year, Choi Jin-young has done everything he can to bring attention to his father, a missionary who's serving a life sentence in North Korea. He’s met senior U.N., U.S. and other human rights officials, testified at public events, and accepted many media...
