Kasper wades into debate over women deacons, calling move ‘pastorally sensible’ VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Cardinal Walter Kasper, a respected German theologian and a longtime conservative voice at the Vatican, told a German church journal that he is in favor of allowing women to become permanent deacons, as debates over women’s roles continue to shake the church. The post Kasper wades into debate over women deacons, calling move…

St. Augustine was no stranger to culture wars – and has something to say about today’s (The Conversation) — Augustine had divisive opinions – and didn’t mind sharing them. But his writing also has lessons about talking to people who don’t see eye to eye. The post St. Augustine was no stranger to culture wars – and has something to say about today’s appeared first on RNS.

When religious power serves political force (RNS) — Reverend Rob Schenck on faith’s role in American political polarization. The post When religious power serves political force appeared first on RNS.

Indians celebrate Diwali by lighting a record number of clay lamps LUCKNOW, India (AP) — The lamps lit along 55 riverfront steps of the river Saryu created a captivating display along 1.5 kilometers (one mile). As the lamps remained lit for over five minutes, government spokesperson Shishir Singh said Ayodhya achieved its seventh consecutive world record for the largest display. The post Indians celebrate Diwal…

Texas nuns in battle with Fort Worth bishop are dismissed from religious life (RNS) — The nuns have ‘reverted to a lay state’ after a sometimes bizarre yearlong tussle with Bishop Michael Olson. The post Texas nuns in battle with Fort Worth bishop are dismissed from religious life appeared first on RNS.

Catholic voters are suffering a barrage of fake ‘Catholic’ news (RNS) — Mock Catholic media outlets support Republican victories up and down the ballot, reporting only the ways Democratic policies digress from, not how they agree with, church teachings. The post Catholic voters are suffering a barrage of fake ‘Catholic’ news appeared first on RNS.

In a time of change, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says, he kept his eye trained on love (RNS) — His electrifying sermon on the power of love at the 2018 royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be the highlight. But Michael Curry may also be remembered for a capacity to keep the main thing the main thing. The post In a time of change, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says, he kept his eye trained on love appeared first on …

Phil Lesh was good for the Jews (RNS) — The Grateful Dead bass player was not Jewish. But … The post Phil Lesh was good for the Jews appeared first on RNS.

Authoritarian movements depend on political religions — not least in America (RNS) — On Election Day 2024, one is on offer. The post Authoritarian movements depend on political religions — not least in America appeared first on RNS.

These Latina Christians are shaping the future of abortion in Florida (RNS) — Latina Floridians told RNS their faith has guided them as they work to engage their communities to vote for or against Amendment 4. The post These Latina Christians are shaping the future of abortion in Florida appeared first on RNS.

Black churches and ‘Divine Nine’ fraternities and sororities partner to boost Black vote (RNS) — Theologian Candice Marie Benbow said, ‘We live at this intersection of being Black faith people and Black people who are in Greek letter organizations who are committed to communal uplift.’ The post Black churches and ‘Divine Nine’ fraternities and sororities partner to boost Black vote appeared first on RNS.

Church near Pennsylvania Capitol becomes peace hub hoping to protect democracy in divisive election HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — During a recent Sunday service, Layman Knox asked congregants to pray for Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and to be mindful of their words. Wearing a stole in the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ+ flag, she said, “We pray for our nation in our division and our hope.” The post Church near Pennsylvania Capitol becomes peace hub ho…

Unearthed skeletons are part of America’s chilling apocalyptic story (RNS) — There is an alternative narrative of the United States that challenges the vision of it as ‘God’s heavenly city.’ The post Unearthed skeletons are part of America’s chilling apocalyptic story appeared first on RNS.

Please pray with us during this crucial time Sisters of Charity of New York The post Please pray with us during this crucial time appeared first on RNS.

Red Light, Green Light: Church Edition + Adelle M. Banks What is it people look for when they look for a church? What makes a church good? The post Red Light, Green Light: Church Edition + Adelle M. Banks appeared first on RNS.

Meet the conservative, white religious women voting for Kamala Harris (RNS) — Democrats and some prominent evangelical women are highlighting Donald Trump’s character and conduct, as well as issues such as abortion access, to convince religious conservative women to vote for Harris. The post Meet the conservative, white religious women voting for Kamala Harris appeared first on RNS.

An explosion of fireworks injures more than 150 people at a temple in India NEW DELHI (AP) — The explosion occurred Monday night when a fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu temple caught fire. The post An explosion of fireworks injures more than 150 people at a temple in India appeared first on RNS.

We tried Christian nationalism in America. It went badly. (RNS) — Nostalgia for a ‘Christian America’ overlooks the realities of religion in the founding era — which included taxes, jail time, exile and even public hangings for anyone who defied state-run churches. The post We tried Christian nationalism in America. It went badly. appeared first on RNS.

The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’ (The Conversation) — The ‘Courage Tour,’ a religio-political rally, is going around battleground states. It is focused on defeating Democrats, but also on defeating ‘demonic forces.’ The post The ‘Courage Tour’ is attempting to get Christians to vote for Trump − and focused on defeating ‘demons’ appeared first on RNS.

Marvel’s series ‘Agatha All Along’ gets it right, say modern witches (RNS) — Marvel Studios’ television series ‘Agatha All Along,’ which has its finale Wednesday (Oct. 30), oozes witchcraft lore, movie references and symbolism. Modern witches are all in. The post Marvel’s series ‘Agatha All Along’ gets it right, say modern witches appeared first on RNS.