The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and a philanthropist, dies at 88 PARIS (AP) — Ceremonies were being held Tuesday in Ismaili communities in the U.S. and others were held elsewhere in the world Wednesday. The post The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims and a philanthropist, dies at 88 appeared first on RNS.

Anglican Church in South Africa admits failures in handling of sexual abuse claims JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A South African panel, headed by a retired judge, released its own report Tuesday in which it said the Anglican Church should have reported its former member John Smyth. The post Anglican Church in South Africa admits failures in handling of sexual abuse claims appeared first on RNS.

Report details 17 cases of abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle (RNS) — ‘His actions not only violated the sanctity of his role but also caused profound harm to those he was meant to guide and protect,’ the report said. The post Report details 17 cases of abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle appeared first on RNS.

NFL emails reveal extent of Saints’ damage control for clergy sex abuse crisis NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The emails shed new light on the Saints’ foray into a fraught topic far from the gridiron, a behind-the-scenes effort driven by the team’s devoutly Catholic owner who has long enjoyed a close relationship with the city’s embattled archbishop. The post NFL emails reveal extent of Saints’ damage control for clergy sex abuse cris…

A dispute between New Orleans archbishop and Second Harvest board goes nuclear (RNS) — For more than four decades, leaders of Second Harvest and the Catholic Church in New Orleans had been partners in fighting hunger. Then a dispute over money and control forced a standoff. The post A dispute between New Orleans archbishop and Second Harvest board goes nuclear appeared first on RNS.

Gen Z’s nones have their own beliefs. Try working with them, not converting them. (RNS) — A good model is the Nuns & Nones, a movement that invites religiously disaffiliated young people to deepen their spirituality by discussing the moral values that motivate them. The post Gen Z’s nones have their own beliefs. Try working with them, not converting them. appeared first on RNS.

Refugee advocates rally outside White House amid furloughs, frozen funds WASHINGTON (RNS) — The crowd of about 100 was protesting Trump’s suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which vets refugees for entry into the United States and works with refugee resettlement agencies. The post Refugee advocates rally outside White House amid furloughs, frozen funds appeared first on RNS.

Pope Francis’ autobiography: A sustained, loving look at the real (RNS) — With the publication of this autobiography, Pope Francis cements his monumental project of demystifying the papacy. The post Pope Francis’ autobiography: A sustained, loving look at the real appeared first on RNS.

Anglican denominations’ record on abuse prompts calls for victim-focused reform (RNS) — In the U.S. and Canada, survivors and advocates have been advocating for change in Anglican denominations amid a groundswell of abuse and misconduct cases. The post Anglican denominations’ record on abuse prompts calls for victim-focused reform appeared first on RNS.

Refugee aid groups face furloughs after Trump halts program, refuses to reimburse work WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘We’ve been unable to access federal reimbursements for critical program costs, and that includes costs that were incurred prior to the issuance of the executive order,’ said a spokesperson for Church World Service. The post Refugee aid groups face furloughs after Trump halts program, refuses to reimburse work appeared first o…

Aid is surging into Gaza under the ceasefire. Is it helping? JERUSALEM (AP) — As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel said it would allow 600 aid trucks into Gaza each day, a major increase. The post Aid is surging into Gaza under the ceasefire. Is it helping? appeared first on RNS.

Gloo and Barna launch new State of the Church 2025 event series Gloo The post Gloo and Barna launch new State of the Church 2025 event series appeared first on RNS.

Rejected elsewhere, these LGBTQ+ Jews find love and acceptance in the Connecticut woods FALLS VILLAGE, Conn. (RNS) — In many Orthodox Jewish settings, including the vast Haredi world, strict adherence to Torah and Jewish law has kept many closeted or unable to live openly in synagogue settings. At Eshel retreats they are embraced. The post Rejected elsewhere, these LGBTQ+ Jews find love and acceptance in the Connecticut woods appea…

Trump, the destroyer of worlds (RNS) — The truly powerful are creators not destroyers, builders not demolishers, life-givers not killers, fixers not complainers, nurturers not bullies. The post Trump, the destroyer of worlds appeared first on RNS.

What could be worse than the Muslim ban? Plenty. (RNS) — Trump’s executive orders are open to interpretation, making it difficult for Muslim communities to discern what is smoke and mirrors and what is meant to deflect from something else. The post What could be worse than the Muslim ban? Plenty. appeared first on RNS.

A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The legal recognition acknowledges the mountain’s theft from the Māori of the Taranaki region after New Zealand was colonized. The post A New Zealand mountain is granted personhood, recognizing it as sacred for Māori appeared first on RNS.

A fashion designer, Italian singer and Icelandic illustrator team up on Vatican exhibition VATICAN CITY (AP) — The exhibition, titled “En Route,” is the sixth in a series of events intended as a dialogue between the Vatican library’s heritage, dating to the 4th century, and contemporary art. The post A fashion designer, Italian singer and Icelandic illustrator team up on Vatican exhibition appeared first on RNS.

A Supreme Court decision on a Catholic school in Oklahoma could redraw lines around church and state in education (The Conversation) — For years, the Supreme Court has been expanding the boundaries of government aid to religious schools. St. Isidore’s case pushes the debate into new territory. The post A Supreme Court decision on a Catholic school in Oklahoma could redraw lines around church and state in education appeared first on RNS.

Musk spotlights federal funds for Lutheran aid groups, calls them ‘illegal payments’ WASHINGTON (RNS) — Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, accused Musk and others of spreading ‘misinformation’ and casting baseless doubt on longstanding federal funding agreements, including to resettle refugees. The post Musk spotlights federal funds for Lutheran aid groups, calls them ‘illegal…

In new book ‘Believe,’ Ross Douthat makes a case for old-time religion (RNS) — The New York Times columnist and best-selling author hopes to convince spiritual seekers that faith in God might actually be true. The post In new book ‘Believe,’ Ross Douthat makes a case for old-time religion appeared first on RNS.