Florida Senate passes bill that would shield churches from emergency order shutdowns
The Florida Senate approved a bill that would prevent government emergency orders from shutting down churches and other religious institutions as long as businesses are allowed to stay open. "If Publix is open, so is your place of worship," the bill's sponsor said. The measure must still pass the House.
Jewish leaders mark first Sabbath since Texas synagogue hostage siege
Jewish leaders marked the first Sabbath since last weekend's hostage-taking at Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, with a show of defiance against it and other acts of antisemitism.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk, dies at 95
Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered Zen Buddhist monk who helped spread the practice of mindfulness in the West and socially engaged Buddhism in the East, has died. He was 95.
Florida Senate measure aimed at keeping churches open
After high-profile disputes in various parts of the country about shuttering churches during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Florida Senate is poised to take up a proposal that would help prevent closures of religious institutions during future emergencies.
Pope Francis baptizes 16 babies in Sistine Chapel after pandemic break
Pope Francis baptized 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, resuming a decades-old Vatican tradition that had been interrupted last year by the pandemic.
Pope criticizes couples who adopt pets instead of children: 'a form of selfishness'
Pope Francis on Wednesday branded couples who adopt pets instead of children as "selfish" as part of a call to resolve the "demographic winter" that the West faces.
Pope Francis starts new year with call to protect women, focus on the good
Pope Francis has used his New Year's Day appearances to encourage people to focus on the good which unites them and to decry violence against women.
Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass amid COVID-19 surge in Italy
Pope Francis has celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Baby Jesus statues stolen, Christmas display damaged in Oviedo
Someone took a Baby Jesus statue from two homes in Seminole County and destroyed another Christmas display at a third home, according to Oviedo Police.
Federal judge weighs pregame prayer dispute in Florida
A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday in a more than five-year legal battle over whether the Florida High School Athletic Association violated a Christian school’s free-speech rights by preventing a prayer from being read over a loudspeaker before a football game.
Pope Francis celebrates 85th birthday as reform hits stride
Pope Francis turns 85 on Dec. 17, a milestone as he continues efforts to make the Catholic Church more attuned to the laity.
Pope Francis addresses nun abuse detailed in investigative expose
During an audience with members of the Vatican’s congregation for religious orders, Pope Francis cited a new investigative expose of the problem written by a reporter for the Holy See’s media, Salvatore Cernuzio.
Lakewood Church money: Plumber who found cash, checks in wall to get $20K
Crime Stoppers of Houston is gifting $20,000 to the plumber who found a large amount of money inside of a wall at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church last month. Police believe the money is connected to a theft case from 2014.
Cash, checks found in wall at Lakewood Church during repair work is from 2014 theft, says HPD
A large amount of money – including cash, checks and money orders – was found inside a wall while renovation work was being done at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church. Houston police say it's from the 2014 theft, where $600,000 were reported stolen from the church's safe.
Fla. lawmakers could shield churches from health shutdowns
Churches and other religious institutions couldn’t be stopped from packing the pews during future health crises under a measure that started moving forward Tuesday in the Florida Senate.
Anti-Semitic flyers found on front yards of several Beverly Hills homes
On the first day of Hanukkah, several Beverly Hills residents were shocked to find anti-Semitic flyers placed around the front yards of their homes.
‘Chanukah Sameach’ : Biden recognizes Hanukkah 2021 with well wishes
“From our family to yours, and from the People’s House to your own homes, Jill and I wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
Phil Saviano, Catholic church sex abuse survivor and whistleblower, dies
Saviano played a central role in illuminating the scandal, which led to the resignation of Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law and church settlements with hundreds of victims.
Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies
A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.
Haiti kidnapping: 2 missionaries freed weeks after abduction, organization says
Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement Sunday saying the two “are safe, in good spirits and being cared for.”