Latest Religion News

The Latest | Germany will resume working with UN relief agency for Palestinians after a review

Apr. 24, 2024 13:40 PM EDT

Germany said Wednesday that it plans to follow several other countries in resuming cooperation with the U.N. relief agency for Palestinians in Gaza after the publication of an independent review of its neutrality. The head of the Arab League hailed the report, saying it showed that...

A Russian Orthodox priest who took part in services for Navalny is suspended by the patriarch

Apr. 24, 2024 13:18 PM EDT

The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Chuch has suspended a priest who participated in services for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Dmitry Safronov took part in Navalny's funeral as well as presiding at the commemoration on March 26, the 40th day after his death — an...

Australian police arrest 7 alleged teen extremists linked to stabbing of a bishop in a Sydney church

Apr. 24, 2024 07:08 AM EDT

SYDNEY (AP) — Australian police arrested seven teenagers accused of following a violent extremist ideology in raids across Sydney on Wednesday, as a judge extended a ban on social media platform X sharing video of a knife attack on a bishop that started the criminal investigation. ...

The Rev. Cecil Williams, who turned San Francisco's Glide Church into a refuge for many, has died

Apr. 23, 2024 20:01 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Rev. Cecil Williams, who with his late wife turned Glide Church in San Francisco into a world-renowned haven for people suffering from poverty and homelessness and living on the margins, has died. He was 94. Williams and his wife, Janice Marikitami, who...

United Methodists open first top-level conference since breakup over LGBTQ inclusion

Apr. 23, 2024 18:36 PM EDT

Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference. It’s a much-anticipated gathering. Typically it is held every four years, but church leaders delayed the 2020 gathering until now due to...

With graduation near, colleges seek to balance safety and students' right to protest Gaza war

Apr. 23, 2024 13:26 PM EDT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — The University of Michigan is informing students of the rules for upcoming graduation ceremonies: Banners and flags are not allowed. Protests are OK but in designated areas away from the cap-and-gown festivities. The University of Southern California...

Spain approves plan to compensate victims of Catholic Church sex abuse. Church will be asked to pay

Apr. 23, 2024 12:27 PM EDT

MADRID (AP) — Spain on Tuesday approved a plan aimed at making reparation and economic compensation for victims of sex abuse committed by people connected to the Catholic Church. It also announced the future celebration of a public act of recognition for those affected and their...

Modi is accused of using hate speech for calling Muslims 'infiltrators' at an Indian election rally

Apr. 23, 2024 07:22 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India's main opposition party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using hate speech after he called Muslims “infiltrators" — some of his most incendiary rhetoric about the minority faith, days after the country began its weekslong general election. The...

Man charged with hate crime for vandalizing Islamic center at Rutgers, prosecutors say

Apr. 22, 2024 17:36 PM EDT

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A man accused of vandalizing an Islamic center at New Jersey’s flagship university on the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr has been charged with a hate crime, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Jacob Beacher, 24, of North Plainfield, faces single counts...

Iowa lawmakers address immigration, religious freedom and taxes in 2024 session

Apr. 22, 2024 14:26 PM EDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After a marathon day that stretched into Saturday's early hours, Iowa lawmakers wrapped up a four-month legislative session that focused on reforming the way special education is managed and speeding up tax cuts. The Republican-led General Assembly also waded into issues...