Christian Officials Accuse Israel of Holiday Discrimination
A spokesman for Christian churches in the Holy Land on Wednesday accused Israel of discriminating against Christian tourists during the normally busy Christmas holiday season.
Bah! Humbug! Italy Bishop Tells Children Santa Doesn’t Exist
A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologized to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. The diocese said the bishop was trying to underline the true meaning of Christmas.
Israel to Give Gaza Christians Permits for Christmas Holiday
Israeli authorities on Wednesday said they would permit 500 members of the Gaza Strip’s tiny Christian community to enter Israel and the occupied West Bank to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas in Bethlehem: Gilded Treasures, but Few Tourists
Ahead of Christmas, a towering wooden screen — once blackened with soot from millions of worshipers’ candles — is being restored to its gilded glory in the Church of the Nativity, built at the site where many believe Jesus was born. But few visitors are expected
Russia Added to State Department List of Worst Religious Liberty Violators
The U.S. State Department has added Russia to its list of nations it considers among the world’s most egregious violators of religious freedom. Russia joins Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on the list of “countries of particular concern.”
As COP26 Conference Gathers, Faith-Based Environmentalists Fight ‘Eco-Grief’
As the United Nations Climate Conference (known as COP26) gathers world leaders in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss climate change, people of faith long active in environmental advocacy haven’t succumbed to pessimism.
Faith Groups Increasingly Join Fight Against Climate Change
Around the world, faith leaders and environmental activists increasingly joining the fight against climate change. And some believe systemic change to protect those most vulnerable to the climate crisis must come from world leaders meeting at the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Biden: Pope Said He Should ‘Keep Receiving Communion’
President Joe Biden said Pope Francis told him he should continue to receive Communion, as the world’s two most prominent Roman Catholics ran overtime in highly personal discussions on climate change, poverty, and the coronavirus pandemic.
Changing the Climate
As world leaders prepare to gather next week in Scotland for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), this edition of A Public Witness mines what this international effort entails and why Christians spend time advocating in such meetings.
Baptist Watchdog Flunks Forever 21, Praises H&M in Annual ‘Ethical Fashion’ Report
The fashion industry continues to struggle with wage gaps and sustainability, according to a report from an Australian Christian watchdog group, despite marked improvement in how the industry treats workers and sources its goods over the past few years.