NEWS OF THE WEEK
As many places of worship have been vandalized, Islamic leaders around the US are stepping up security, installing more cameras, and hiring additional guards for mosques. Authorities arrested a man suspected of setting a southern California mosque on fire.
Pope Francis released his annual World Day of Peace message, asking that world leaders tackle issues such as unemployment and access to health care. He also called for the abolition of the death penalty, and he encouraged all Catholics to … More
Pope Francis celebrated his birthday (December 17) by giving final clearance for Mother Teresa of Calcutta to become an official saint. Francis declared that the inexplicable recovery of a Brazilian man from a coma in 2008 was due to the … More
In Baltimore, faith leaders are gathering for prayers and urging protesters to remain calm after a mistrial was declared in the case of the police officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray. Religious leaders say they hope justice will … More
As more information came to light about the San Bernardino shooters and their extremist views, a vigorous debate continued to unfold over national security and tolerance. GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump provoked international controversy with his call for “a total … More
President Obama re-emphasized that the US is not at war with Islam. In his (December 6) Oval Office address, he said the terrorists represent a minority of Muslims who embrace what he called “a perverted interpretation of Islam.” President Obama: … More
Fears appear to be on the rise. According to a new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute, 95 percent of US adults say they are concerned about terrorism. Seventy-five percent of them see it as a critical issue for the … More
Many US Muslims say they continue to face rising hostility. Several mosques have received threats and hate mail. Some have been defaced. At an Islamic center in Philadelphia, someone threw a severed pig’s head at the entrance.
Lawmakers continue debating whether to halt the resettlement of Syrian refugees because of security concerns. More than 150 bishops, presidents of religious denominations, and heads of faith-based organizations urged members of Congress to oppose such legislation.
In Indianapolis this week, despite objections from the governor, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese helped resettle a Syrian refugee family. Archbishop Joseph Tobin said he was satisfied with the security vetting process, even if the governor wasn’t.
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