Churches & Religion

FILE - Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. Pope Francis called Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, for a universal ban on the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing the threats to global peace and human dignity.

Pope Francis calls for a universal ban on surrogacy. He says it exploits mother and child

January 8, 2024, 1:58pm Churches & Religion

Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity. Read story

Malia Nobrega-Olivera, a Native Hawaiian salt maker, holds Hawaiian salt, or “paakai,” on July 10 in Hanapepe, Hawaii.

Native Hawaiian salt makers protect tradition

January 6, 2024, 6:03am Churches & Religion

On a warm summer afternoon, Tina Taniguchi was on her hands and knees scraping dirt off an oblong depression in the ground. Thick brown hair peeked out from her coconut leaf hat. Splotches of mud stuck to her T-shirt and speckled her smiling face. Read story

A New Year’s Eve fire at Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple started in its basement, after a man broke into the temple and tried to barricade himself, according to court documents.

Man faces 3 felonies after fire at Seattle Buddhist temple

January 5, 2024, 7:30am Churches & Religion

A man has been charged with three felonies in connection with a New Year’s Eve fire that damaged the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple near the Chinatown International District. Read story

Arson closes Seattle Buddhist temple, destroys century-old archives

January 4, 2024, 7:31am Churches & Religion

An arson at the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple near the Chinatown International District destroyed historical archives going back more than 120 years, and has closed the religious and community gathering space indefinitely. Read story

The five foundresses of the Sisters of Providence Northwest mission in Washington Territory. Front row: Sister Praxedes of Providence, Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Sister Mary of the Precious Blood. Back row, Sister Vincent de Paul, Sister Blandine of the Holy Angels.

Sisters of Providence’s holy ground: Mother Joseph Catholic Cemetery of Vancouver final resting place for pioneering religious women

January 3, 2024, 6:06am Churches & Religion

Tucked away behind Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery lies another cemetery nearly as old. In it lies the remains, not of soldiers but of pioneering women, such as Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who brought their Catholic faith and personal grit to Southwest Washington, influencing the greater Pacific Northwest region… Read story

Grieving and often overlooked, Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, file photo, Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets worshippers in Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem during Christmas celebrations.

It’s normally a moment of pure joy for the Rev. Khader Khalilia: the excitement, the giggles, the kisses, as his young daughters — in their Christmas pajamas — open their gifts. But this year, just the thought of it fills Khalilia with guilt. Read story

Christmas delicacies help convents pay the bills

Nuns Alejandra Jaime, 39, from left, Maria Ines Maldonado, 76, Maria Auxiliadora Estrada, 59, and Patricia Marin, 28, store fritters with Christmas figures in clear plastic bags for sale Dec. 7 at the Convent of the Perpetual Adorers of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Mexico City.

It’s the fortnight before Christmas and all through the world’s Catholic convents, nuns and monks are extra busy preparing the traditional delicacies they sell to a loyal fan base even in rapidly secularizing countries. Read story