American Pilgrim Imprisoned in Assad’s Syria Calls His Release From Prison a ‘Blessing’
Travis Timmerman of Urbana, Missouri, said he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence.
Ohio Could Mandate Public Schools To Allow Third-Party Religious Ed During School Day
School boards would be required to permit Christian groups and the Satanic Temple alike to provide off-campus instruction.
Black Denomination Upholds Stance Against Same-Sex Marriage. A Gay Pastor in Its Ranks Seeks Change
Rev. Jennifer S. Leath hopes to help her denomination avoid the schisms that ruptured many mainline Protestant denominations as they dismantled LBGTQ+ bans.
Faith Leaders Express Dismay Amid Report Trump Will Allow Immigration Raids at Churches
‘I have 30 kids in a Sunday school class — I don’t know who is documented and undocumented,’ said one Latino pastor.
Pope Francis Makes Jubilee Year Appeal To End Hunger, Debt Woes and Death Penalty
The pope’s appeal was made for the World Day of Peace, coinciding with the launch of the 2025 Jubilee year.
Make Herod Great Again?
This issue of A Public Witness reconsiders King Herod to move beyond a flat, culture wars depiction of the religious-nationalism-pushing ruler.
Faith Leaders, Activists, the Pope Urge Biden To Empty Federal Death Row Before Trump Term
Activists and faith leaders hope to save the lives of 40 federal death row inmates, fearing Donald Trump would authorize an ‘execution spree’ after taking office.
‘Advent Not Arms’ Prayer Vigil Presses for Peace in the Middle East
Leaders from a variety of denominations and organizations gathered on International Human Rights Day to call for Christians to stand for justice and dignity for Palestinians.
After IDOC Denial, Indiana Death Row Inmate Sues To Allow Spiritual Advisor in Execution Chamber
Monday’s federal lawsuit seeks to overturn the state’s decision not to allow Joseph Corcoran’s minister to be present in the execution chamber — a constitutional right granted by a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
Four Films for This Moment
This issue of A Public Witness recommends some recent documentary films on issues of faith in the public square, Christian Nationalism, and patriarchy.