NEWS OF THE WEEK
The Supreme Court decided Friday (January 16) that it will take up the issue of same-sex marriage this spring. The justices will review a lower-court decision that upheld bans against gay marriage in four states. Other recent decisions have allowed … More
A group of prominent Christian leaders is challenging potential presidential candidates to make ending hunger and poverty a priority. Ahead of President Obama’s State of the Union address next week (January 20), the leaders cited recent U.S. Census data, saying … More
A Christian missionary doctor who recovered from Ebola returned to Liberia this week. Dr. Rick Sacra contracted the disease there in August while working with the group S.I.M. Sacra said he wanted to go back to help his colleagues in … More
Faith groups around the world this week expressed outrage and grief after the attack on the Paris office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The paper had been targeted in the past for printing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. The … More
The pope is making preparations for his visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines next week, where interfaith relations and recovery from disasters are expected to be major themes. This week Francis named 20 new cardinals from 18 different countries, … More
Severe winter weather across the Middle East is adding to the suffering of millions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Many refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Northern Iraq have inadequate shelter and few sources of heat. One humanitarian official said … More
Coptic, Armenian and some Eastern Orthodox churches celebrated Christmas this past week (January 7). On January 6 and the following Sunday (January 11), many other Christians celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, which marks the manifestation or revelation of Jesus. … More
Prominent American Muslim leader Maher Hathout died from liver cancer this week (January 2). Considered by many to be the “father of US Muslim identity,” Hathout actively worked to promote civic engagement and interfaith relations. He cofounded the Muslim Public Affairs … More
Legendary gospel pioneer Andrae Crouch died Thursday (January 8) at the age of 72. Described by Billy Graham as “one of the greatest hymn writers of this century,” Crouch wrote many church standards, including “Soon and Very Soon,” “My Tribute … More
In what some are calling a “Hanukkah miracle,” American Alan Gross arrived safely in the U.S. this week after five years of imprisonment in Cuba. The 65-year-old Gross, a Jewish aid worker, had been jailed on charges of espionage, although … More
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