Pope Francis expressed his “heartfelt sorrow” after a powerful earthquake killed at least 120 people and left a trail of destruction across central Italy. Hundreds of people were injured and dozens of others missing in several small towns after the magnitude-6.2 quake struck at 3:36 a.m. local time (Aug. 24). The quake’s epicenter was about 90 miles northeast of Rome, but the shock waves were felt from the southern city of Naples to the northern town of Rimini on the Adriatic Coast. A powerful aftershock of 5.4 magnitude followed an hour later.
While some European beaches are banning women dressed in “burkinis” and other modest swimwear, and Americans are challenging women’s-only swimming hours at public pools, this Israeli beach has long been a haven for women whose strict religious beliefs, community norms or fears of sexual harassment, among other reasons, make swimming or sunbathing alongside men undesirable, even impossible.
Padre Pepe is one of 20 “curas villeros” (“slum priests”) in Buenos Aires, a group that lives in these neighborhoods to empower and uplift the slum residents by spreading Catholic faith and education. Their primary goal is not to convert the neighborhoods, but to bring the residents hope and a foundation for better lives. From conducting Mass to building schools, arranging aid for drug addicts, and providing children with outlets for drug and violence free escapes, these slum priests exercise a far-reaching influence on the villas. And their endeavors are slowly but surely changing these impoverished neighborhoods.
While much of America over the past week was focused on Trump vs. Hillary or Ryan Lochte and crew in Brazil, south Louisiana was drowning, almost unnoticed, from severe floods. But local churches sprang into action and became places of refuge with resources to share as those who could help others did.
A 6.8 earthquake struck Myanmar on Aug. 24, reports the Wall Street Journal, the same day a deadly earthquake struck Italy. At least three people have died.
How will those of us who claim to follow Jesus and seek justice respond to the plight of the poor and oppressed this election season? With whom or what will be place our allegiance? Will we continue to support a political table only set for the haves, or will we push for a table inclusive of the have nots?
Top-notch preaching most attracts people looking for a new place to pray.
That's the conclusion of a new Pew Research Center study, released Aug. 23, which asked 5,000 people about their search for a new church or other house of worship.
Rescue efforts are underway to help people trapped or injured by the earthquake, which hit towns across central Italy, nearly 100 miles north of Rome and Vatican City. The quake is the deadliest for the country since a 2009 quake that hit L’Aquila and killed more than 300, also in central Italy. Rescuers are continuing to search for survivors.
Pope Francis, who was scheduled to give a speech to his general audience Wednesday, instead prayed with and for the people of Italy, reports Reuters.
A year later, many evangelical voters have grown to love the Donald’s roller coaster. Just as Trump divided and conquered the Republican Party, so also he has divided and conquered the religious right, the voting bloc of white conservative Christians that has been a cornerstone of the Republican Party’s outreach for decades.
African-American Women's Equal Pay Day: Graphic Highlights Pay Gap Between Black Women and White Men
African-American Women’s Equal Pay Day annually highlights the discrepancies between the pay rate of white men and black women of various educational backgrounds. On Aug. 23, to draw attention to this divide, the hashtag #BlackWomensEqualPay began trending on social media.