Religion
Serbian Orthodox patriarch dies
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle, has died in Belgrade, the Church has announced. The patriarch, 95, became leader of the Church in 1990. He was admitted to the city's military hospital two years ago.
Pope seeks more freedom for Catholics in Iran
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI urged Iranian authorities on Thursday to let Catholics have the priests and churches they need to freely practice their faith in the country.
Scientologists convicted of fraud in France
A French court has convicted the Church of Scientology of fraud, but stopped short of banning the group from operating in France.
US Praises Jordan, Qatar for Progress on Religious Freedom
The State Department released its annual report on global religious freedom Monday, with the chief author singling out bigotry-based murders in the U.S. and Germany while crediting progress made in Jordan, Qatar and Egypt.
Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic church
The Vatican said Tuesday it has worked out a way for groups of Anglicans who are dissatisfied with their faith to join the Catholic Church.
U.S. Catholic Diocese files for Chapter 11
Delaware's Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Inc filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court documents showed on Sunday, in the face of more than 140 claims filed by people who said they were victims of sexual abuse by the diocese's priests.
BANGKOK (UCAN) -- Church groups have provided aid to families whose houses are under water in Ubon Ratchathani, the province worst hit by flooding in northeastern Thailand.
Nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide is Muslim, report says
Nearly one in four people worldwide is Muslim -- and they are not necessarily where you might think, according to an extensive new study that aims to map the global Muslim population.
Pope Ends Czech Visit With Appeal to Youth
Pope Benedict has wrapped up a three-day visit to the Czech Republic where he used an outdoor mass to urge young people to remain faithful to Christianity, despite the hardship that can bring.
Pope says fall of communism proved man needs God
STARA BOLESLAV, Czech Republic (Reuters) - Pope Benedict, ending a trip to this highly secular nation, said on Monday the fall of communists who tried to erase religion was proof that God cannot be excluded from public life.
Muslim 'Day of Unity' Draws Prayerful, Protests in D.C.
Several thousand Muslims convened on the Capitol grounds for a peaceable day of prayer Friday, voicing their religious fervor and solidarity with American values while ignoring scattered protesters of other faiths.
Pope visits Czech Republic with many nonbelievers
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI is going to the heart of central Europe 20 years after the fall of communism ended restrictions on religion. But what he will find is a Czech Republic where nearly half the population professes to be nonbelievers.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The grandson of the Rev. Billy Graham will continue to lead a South Florida megachurch, even though some members have called for his ouster.
NYC Mayor Declares September 20 Prayer in the Square Day: Thousands Gathering to Pray in Times Square
Mayor Bloomberg issued a proclamation declaring Sunday, September 20, 2009, Prayer in the Square Day. The proclamation praises the one-hour event to pray for our nation as a gathering where "people from across the country of different denomination...
Once-imprisoned Baptist pastor loses election bid
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A preacher who went to prison for stealing millions of dollars from the National Baptist Convention USA has lost an election to lead the group again.
Once-imprisoned Baptist pastor seeks office again
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A preacher who went to prison for stealing millions of dollars from the National Baptist Convention USA will learn Thursday whether members think he deserves a chance to once again lead the denomination.
US pastor prays for Obama's death in 'spiritual warfare'
A pastor has caused outrage among church goers in Phoenix, Arizona after praying for the death of the African-American US President Barack Obama.
Update of popular 'NIV' Bible due in 2011
The scholars and publishers behind the world's leading English language evangelical Bible announced Tuesday that they would publish a updated translation in 2011.
American Lutherans to allow sexually active gays as clergy
MINNEAPOLIS — The nation's largest Lutheran denomination took openly gay clergy more fully into its fold Friday, as leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to lift a ban that prohibited sexually active gays and lesbians from se...
Muslims begin Ramadan holy month
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has begun across most of the Muslim world, ushering in 30 days of dawn to dusk fasting and extra prayer.