Hindu group paid workers from India $1.20 per hour to build NJ temple, lawsuit says
A lawsuit says workers from marginalized communities in India were lured to New Jersey and forced to work more than 12 hours per day at ultra-low wages to help build a Hindu temple.
German Catholics will bless same-sex couples, defying Vatican ban
Germany’s powerful Catholic progressives are openly defying a recent Holy See pronouncement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions.
Italian judge on the path to sainthood after getting killed by mobsters
A magistrate slain by mobsters in Sicily and praised by two popes has been beatified by the Roman Catholic church on Sunday in the last formal step before possible sainthood.
Catholic bishops debate if Biden should receive communion given abortion stance
There’s a deep gulf between Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego in the high-stakes debate over whether politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion
Stampede at religious event in Israel kills dozens
More than 100 people were hurt in a stampede at a religious festival in northern Israel. Dozens of participants are feared dead. A student from New Jersey was among the missing.
Connecticut ends religious exemption to vaccination
Gov. Ned Lamont has signed a bill into law that ends Connecticut's long-standing religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools and day care facilities.
Supreme Court set to hear major school speech case after cheerleader booted from squad over Snapchat post
A freedom of speech case that's made its way to the Supreme Court could impact the free speech rights of millions of young Americans.
New Jersey to increase capacity limits for proms, graduations, more
Indoor and outdoor capacity limits are set to increase in New Jersey under a new executive order Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to sign.
California lifts COVID-19 limits on indoor worship services following US Supreme Court rulings
California lifted its limits on indoor worship services in the face of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that struck down the coronavirus public health mandates. However, the state still said indoor gatherings were “strongly discouraged” and advised limiting the numbers to 25% of a building’s capacity.
Ramadan during the pandemic
During Ramadan last year the mosque was closed. This year there will be an opportunity for some members of the mosque to pray together.
Holocaust survivor recounts leaving her family when she was a teen
Anita Weisbord is a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor thanks to her mother sending her to England via the kindertransport. She continues to tell her story today.
How South Asians are redefining the American dream
South Asian Americans living in New York and across the country walk the fine line between assimilation and maintaining ancestral cultural identity.
Poll: 40% of evangelical Protestants, largest religious group in US, hesitant to get COVID-19 vaccine
A recent photo posted online of the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest evangelical denomination, getting the COVID-19 vaccine drew more than 1,100 comments.
Pope urges hope amid 'darkness' of pandemic in Easter vigil
Pope Francis is urging his coronavirus-weary flock to not lose hope even through the continued “dark months” of the pandemic.
'This is scandalous': Pope decries war, weapons spending amid the pandemic in Easter message
“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. Nevertheless — and this is scandalous — armed conflicts have not ended, and military arsenals are being strengthened,'' Francis said, sounding angry. “That is today's scandal.”
Christians celebrate second Easter marred by COVID-19 pandemic
Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with faithful sitting far apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday.
Stylish 82-year-old woman inspires the internet with virtual church outfits
La Verne Ford Wimberly has attracted national attention for wearing her Sunday best despite her church holding service virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iraqi Christians reenact Jesus carrying the cross on Good Friday
An Iraqi man was filmed carrying a wood cross through a small village in northern Iraq, one of many observances held to commemorate the Christian holiday of Good Friday.
Notre Dame: '15 or 20 years' needed for restoration after fire, rector says
The rector of Notre Dame said Friday that the burned-out Paris cathedral and its esplanade could remain a building site for another “15 or 20 years.”
Some Holy Land sites reopen as Christians mark Good Friday
Christians in the Holy Land are marking Good Friday this year amid signs the coronavirus crisis is winding down.