Facebook's new prayer tool arrives to mixed reception

Users who are members of faith-based Facebook groups will find an option allowing them to request prayers and other group members will be able to respond via the “I prayed” icon.

Former DC archbishop Theodore McCarrick charged with abusing minor: report

The Associated Press reports that defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C. from 2001 to 2006, is facing charges in the 1970s sexual assault of teen.

Hillsong founder says COVID-19 vaccine is a ‘personal decision’ after church member dies

Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston said much of his staff are fully vaccinated after church member Stephen Harmon, refused to get inoculated and later died from COVID-19.

Mystery in Phoenix Antique store in connection to LDS Brigham Young

The co-owner of an antique shop in Phoenix is trying to solve the mystery behind a locket. The locket, believed to be from the 1800s, contains a photo that she says resembles the second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young.

Pope Francis returns to Vatican 10 days after surgery

Pope Francis arrived at the Vatican Wednesday after being discharged from a Rome hospital 10 days after intestinal surgery to remove half of his colon.

Haiti sees rise in faith, gang violence after president assassinated

The political future of Haiti remains unclear as some are turning to faith amid rising violence after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Pope Francis eats breakfast, takes walk 2 days after intestinal surgery

Pope Francis ate breakfast Tuesday and took a walk as he continues to recover from a scheduled intestinal surgery, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis alert and well after intestinal surgery, Vatican says

Pope Francis is “in good condition, alert and breathing on his own,” a day after he underwent planned intestinal surgery, the Vatican said.

Tucson Police: Arrest made in synagogue vandalism incident

Tucson Police say a man was arrested in connection with a vandalism incident involving a swastika and anti-Semitic slurs at a synagogue.

60 House Democrats sign letter asking Catholic leaders to reconsider Biden rebuke over abortion

U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.

Supreme Court rules Philadelphia wrongly limited ties with Catholic foster care that refused same-sex couples

In another victory for religious groups at the Supreme Court, the justices on Thursday unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples. The court said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency's policy.

Southern Baptists vote to probe leaders on handling of alleged sexual abuse

Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting have voted overwhelmingly to create a task force to oversee an independent investigation into the denomination’s handling of sexual abuse.

Secret recordings, leaked letters show Southern Baptist officials neglected sexual abuse claims

Releases of leaked letters and secret recordings from within the Southern Baptist Convention are intensifying as critics seek to show top leaders were slow to address sexual abuse and worried more about its reputation and donations than about victims.

Rick Warren, Saddleback megachurch pastor, to retire

Saddleback Church's pastor and "The Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren announced he will step down.

Cafe tagged with anti-Semitic hate speech; hate crimes on the rise in San Francisco

A popular cafe in San Francisco's Mission District was tagged with anti-Semitic hate speech. It’s another example of the growing number of hate-related cases happening in the city.

Sex abuse probe: Milwaukee Archdiocese won't cooperate with state

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is refusing to turn over documents to state investigators who are looking into clergy sexual abuse in Wisconsin's five Roman Catholic dioceses.

Vatican law criminalizes sexual abuse of adults by priests, laity

After 14 years of study, Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly criminalize the sexual abuse of adults by priests who abuse their authority and to say that laypeople who hold church office can be sanctioned too.