National Baptists’ new president, Boise Kimber, seeks to include women, young leaders (RNS) — ‘We are rebuilding what we’ve lost and bringing people back to our denomination and to our local churches,’ Kimber said in an interview. The post National Baptists’ new president, Boise Kimber, seeks to include women, young leaders appeared first on RNS.

In Newark, Catholic bishops host interfaith leaders to oppose mass deportation (RNS) — On Monday, the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, and the multifaith community organizing group Faith in Action held a day of prayer and dialogue with immigrant families at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church. The post In Newark, Catholic bishops host interfaith leaders to oppose mass deportation appeared first on RNS.

Faith-based immigrant rights activist faces threat of deportation (RNS) — Ravi Ragbir has helped thousands of immigrants as the co-founder of New Sanctuary Coalition. Now he faces the threat of deportation. The post Faith-based immigrant rights activist faces threat of deportation appeared first on RNS.

Despite growing consensus, many Jewish and Christian groups loath to admit genocide in Gaza (RNS) — Christian and Jewish groups that do call out genocide often find resistance for even bringing it up. The post Despite growing consensus, many Jewish and Christian groups loath to admit genocide in Gaza appeared first on RNS.

Bill McCartney, legendary football coach who founded Promise Keepers, dead at 84 (RNS) — A religious conversion in his 30s helped inspire McCartney to found Promise Keepers, which drew millions of men to events in the early 1990s. The post Bill McCartney, legendary football coach who founded Promise Keepers, dead at 84 appeared first on RNS.

New York celebrates the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s birth NEW YORK (RNS) — Swami Vivekananda founded New York’s first ashram. He was feted on what would have been his 162nd birthday. The post New York celebrates the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s birth appeared first on RNS.

Speaker Mike Johnson pushing to replace House chaplain (RNS) — Asked about her potential replacement, current House Chaplain Margaret Kibben told RNS, ‘The situation is not mine to comment on, except to say, I serve at God’s pleasure.’ The post Speaker Mike Johnson pushing to replace House chaplain appeared first on RNS.

In San Antonio, a pioneer of modern faith-based community organizing has deep roots SAN ANTONIO (RNS) — Starting with flooding, COPS/Metro, a grassroots advocacy organization consisting largely of San Antonio religious groups, took on the issues that San Antonio leaders were neglecting, revitalizing a strategy of faith-based organizing that spread throughout the US. The post In San Antonio, a pioneer of modern faith-based commu…

Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Biden bestowed the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace and alleviate suffering around the world. The post Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom appeared first on RNS.

India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world’s largest religious gathering PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) — At least 400 million people — more than the population of the United States — are expected in Prayagraj over the next 45 days, according to officials. The post India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world’s largest religious gathering appeared first on RNS.

Filipino Catholics pray for good health and peace in huge procession venerating Jesus statue MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The procession marks the feast of Jesus Nazareno and is a major annual Catholic event in Asia. The post Filipino Catholics pray for good health and peace in huge procession venerating Jesus statue appeared first on RNS.

The Bishop’s Gambit (RNS) — Pope Francis makes a bold move in Washington, appointing the outspoken Cardinal Robert McElroy to amplify the Vatican’s stance on immigration, the environment and diplomacy under a shifting political landscape. The post The Bishop’s Gambit appeared first on RNS.

Pointing fingers will not fight California’s fires nor preserve its future (RNS) — The Los Angeles fire is the kind of crisis that also is an opportunity to do something dramatic. The post Pointing fingers will not fight California’s fires nor preserve its future appeared first on RNS.

Christian Nationalism and Hate Violence: What Can We Do? State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks with Zev Mishell, author of the new report “Together Against Hate” and National Program Associate at Interfaith Alliance. The post Christian Nationalism and Hate Violence: What Can We Do? appeared first on RNS.

California fires have destroyed at least a dozen houses of worship (RNS) — Leaders at houses of worship lost to California wildfires vow to keep the faith and help their neighbors as well as congregation members who have lost homes and been displaced. The post California fires have destroyed at least a dozen houses of worship appeared first on RNS.

New LDS curriculum flops in teaching eternal polygamy to children (RNS) — Carol Lynn Pearson writes, ‘Children will be indoctrinated with the understanding that if a ‘man of authority’ tells us God wants us to do something we believe is wrong, we are to do it anyway.’ The post New LDS curriculum flops in teaching eternal polygamy to children appeared first on RNS.

On turning 80 (RNS) — I can no longer kid myself that death is a distant reality. The post On turning 80 appeared first on RNS.

Photos of the Week: Orthodox Christmas; Jimmy Carter funeral (RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes Orthodox Christmas, Jimmy Carter funeral rites and more. The post Photos of the Week: Orthodox Christmas; Jimmy Carter funeral appeared first on RNS.

Vatican approves document allowing gay men to become priests in Italy (RNS) — A new document by the Italian bishops’ conference states that being openly gay no longer bars candidates from discerning the priesthood. The post Vatican approves document allowing gay men to become priests in Italy appeared first on RNS.

Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84 NEW YORK (AP) — Bryant died Dec. 16 at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma, according to a statement posted by her family. The post Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84 appeared first on RNS.