Aug 25 Watch 7:08 The rise of American megachurches and new challenges to their influence By Lisa Desjardins, Kaisha Young, Zoie Lambert There are hundreds of thousands of religious congregations across the United States. Some of the biggest, known as “megachurches,” are facing challenges as the culture around organized religion changes. Scott Thumma, a professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International… Continue watching
Apr 10 Watch 10:24 Ukrainian Christian groups face violent crackdown from Russian forces By Simon Ostrovsky, Dan Sagalyn, Nana Adwoa Antwi-Boasiako Russia first occupied the Ukrainian city of Melitopol in March 2022. After the persecution of pro-Ukrainian activists, former government officials, human rights defenders and journalists, Russian secret services turned its attention to churches, their pastors and congregations. With the support… Continue watching
May 19 Pandemic will affect Communion rituals for U.S. Christians By David Crary, Associated Press Striking changes in Communion will take place at Catholic and Protestant churches across the United States over coming weeks as restrictions on large gatherings –- imposed because of the coronavirus outbreak –- are gradually eased. Continue reading
Dec 24 Pope Francis leads Christmas Eve Mass at Vatican By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press "An insatiable greed marks all human history, even today, when paradoxically a few dine luxuriantly while all too many go without the daily bread needed to survive," Francis said. Continue reading
Nov 12 Allegations against Roy Moore roil U.S. evangelical ranks By David Crary, Associated Press Now, as Roy Moore's Republican U.S. Senate campaign is imperiled, there's an outpouring of impassioned and soul-searching discussion in evangelical ranks. Continue reading
May 26 Watch Coptic Christians en route to monastery targeted in a deadly assault By PBS News Hour Gunmen blasted an isolated bus packed with men, women and children in Egypt, killing at least 28. The victims were Coptic Christians who were making their way to a monastery along an unpaved desert road. Chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret… Continue watching
Apr 28 Watch 6:10 Pope Francis brings message of peace to Egypt as Christians face violence By PBS News Hour Security was on high alert across Cairo as Pope Francis arrived for meetings with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and the leader of Egypt's Coptic Christians and a peace conference for Christians and Muslims. Just three weeks ago, 45 people died when… Continue watching
Mar 29 Watch 7:25 Driven from their homes by ISIS, Iraqi Christians face choice of flight or fight By PBS News Hour For Christians in Iraq, driven from their ancestral lands by the Islamic State, Easter celebrations were overshadowed by the feeling that they might never see home again. Now a small band of the displaced are taking up arms in order… Continue watching
Dec 03 Pope’s visit sows ‘seeds of hope’ in Central African Republic By Larisa Epatko At the tail end of a six-day trip to Africa, Pope Francis spent roughly 24 hours in the turbulent Central African Republic. His visit didn’t last long, but humanitarian organizations are hoping it has a lasting impact. Continue reading
Oct 14 Religious minorities face increased threats, U.S. report finds By Bradley Klapper, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Islamic State led a campaign of attacks last year by militant extremist groups on religious freedom in large swaths of the world, the State Department said in a report Wednesday, pointing to increasing threats to religious minorities… Continue reading