NEWS OF THE WEEK
There was international shock and outrage over the videotaped beheading of American journalist James Foley by Islamic State militants. Foley was abducted in Syria in late 2012. He had not been heard from until this week when ISIS released the … More
Leaders of some of the most ancient churches in the Middle East issued a joint statement denouncing the emergence of armed extremist groups, which they say are threatening the existence of Christians throughout the region. Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs this week … More
Pope Francis surprised some this week by lending his measured support for U.S. military intervention in Iraq. On the trip home from a visit to South Korea, he said it was permissible to use force to stop an “unjust aggressor.” … More
There was good news for the two American missionaries who were infected with Ebola while working in West Africa. Dr. Kent Brantley and Nancy Writebol were discharged from the Emory University hospital in Atlanta after testing clear of the disease. … More
This week (August 29) Hindus around the world celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. The ten-day Hindu festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the popular elephant-headed god of prosperity and wisdom. Clay figures of the deity are made and venerated. In some … More
The man credited with bringing yoga to the West, Indian guru B.K.S. Iyengar, died in India this week. He was 95. Iyengar stressed the spiritual components of yoga and inspired a devoted following across the U.S. In 2004, Time magazine included him … More
Religious leaders across the country called for prayers about the tense situation in Ferguson, Missouri, after a police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed African-American teenager. In Missouri, faith leaders have been appealing for peace and trying to … More
This week the international faith community ramped up concern and activism about the plight of religious minorities in Iraq as Islamic State militants continued their brutal offensive against Christians, members of the ancient Yazidi sect and others. More than 50 … More
Prayers also continued for a long-term ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. Faith-based groups are raising money for humanitarian aid in Gaza, where officials say the impact of the conflict has been devastating. Muslim leaders said more than 60 mosques … More
With the spiraling Ebola crisis in Africa, a panel of the World Health Organization this week determined that it would be ethical to administer experimental treatments that have not been tested or approved. Some of those drugs have already been … More
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