Trump demands an apology from bishop who asked him to “have mercy” on LGBTQ+ people and migrants

Washington DC, US AP President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers who are in the United States illegally. Referencing Trump’s belief that he was saved by God […]
In sermon to Trump, Bishop Budde pleads for immigrants, transgender rights

Washington DC, US RNS President Donald Trump attended the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday morning, finishing off the festivities marking the beginning of his second term with an interfaith service filled with prayers and hymns – and a sermon that offered a religious challenge to his administration’s stated goals. About […]
African Christian leaders see common cause with an incoming President Trump

Nairobi, Kenya RNS President-elect Donald Trump has never visited Africa and is known to have made disparaging remarks about the continent. But as Christian leaders look to his inauguration this Monday, they see areas of common cause. Since the November elections, many church leaders have followed Trump’s interactions, public statements and activities. When it comes […]
Vatican approves document allowing gay men to become priests in Italy
Vatican City RNS A provisional document published by the Italian Bishops’ Conference on Friday and approved by the Vatican cautiously opens the door for the ordination of openly gay men to the priesthood, while maintaining the normal requirement of chastity. “In the formative process, when referring to homosexual tendencies, it’s also appropriate not to reduce […]
Australia’s planned social media ban raises teen isolation fears

Sydney, Australia Reuters For Tereza Hussein, a 14-year-old refugee who lives in Darwin, Australia’s planned social media ban would mean losing a direct line to the most important person to her: a grandmother she has never physically met. “It’s the only way I’ve ever connected to my grandma before, over socials,” said Hussein, who was […]
The Explainer: Five things to watch for in the Catholic Churches’ upcoming October synod

US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE says the Pope wants the delegates to focus on the topic of synodality rather than controversial topics like LGBTQ+ Catholics and women deacons…
The Global Methodist Church will meet in Costa Rica. Sexuality is not on the agenda

United States RNS Sexuality won’t be on the agenda when members of the nascent Global Methodist Church convene for the first time from 20th to 26th September in San Jose, Costa Rica. The breakaway denomination established by departing United Methodist churches two years ago will instead adopt a constitution and iron out its governance structure. […]
Faith and politics: Lutherans in Walz’s Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election season

As the US election draws nearer, GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO, of Associated Press, visits some congregations in the US state of Minnesota…
Church of England faces threat of split over stance on gay couples

London, UK Reuters An alliance of church leaders threatened to split from the Church of England over plans to let gay couples hold standalone services in churches, saying it would be a departure from the institution’s teaching on marriage. In a letter to the two senior-most bishops of the church, the dissenting group said the […]
United Methodist Church regrets Ivory Coast’s split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa

Harare, Zimbabwe AP Leaders of the United Methodist Church expressed regret over last week’s decision by the branch in Ivory Coast to leave the union following the church’s decision to repeal a long-standing ban on LGBTQ+ clergy but pledged to accept it. The developments were the latest in a series of ripple effects in conservative Africa, […]