News

President Donald Trump said Friday (May 22) that he has deemed churches and other houses of worship “essential" and called on governors across the country to allow them to reopen this weekend, even as some parts of the nation remain under coronavirus lockdown.

Massachusetts to reopen houses of worship as the country battles the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday (May 21). They have been allowed to restart services this week as long as they practice social distancing.

New York will allow small religious gatherings starting Thursday as the state gradually loosens pandemic restrictions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Religious gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed statewide as long as participants wear masks and practice social distancing.

With the coronavirus pandemic canceling mass gatherings across the country, college and seminary graduates found their climatic moment in front of their friends and families suddenly upended. Like church services over the past couple months, many of these ceremonies moved to a virtual format.

News that a seminal figure in the decades-long abortion debate was allegedly paid to advocate against the practice is triggering mixed reactions from religious leaders.

New Life Baptist Church, a three-year-old congregation in Hyderabad, India, is busy ministering to both the physical and spiritual needs of its community.

A church in Mississippi was destroyed by a suspected arson fire, about a month after its pastor filed a lawsuit challenging the city of Holly Springs on gathering restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Tuesday issued guidelines for churches and other places of worship to reopen for in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic, with an emphasis on keeping spaces clean and maintaining distance between people.

The head of the federal Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division told Gov. Gavin Newsom May 19 that his plan to reopen California discriminates against churches. Eric S. Dreiband said Newsom should allow some in-person worship under the current second phase of his four-part reopening plan.

Spring graduates from Union University received a special message on what was supposed to be their graduation day -- a personalized video greeting from Union President Samuel W. "Dub" Oliver.