Pope expresses 'shame' at scale of child sex abuse by clergy in France

Pope Francis expressed “shame” over a report that estimated some 330,000 French children were abused by clergy and other church authority figures.

Southern Baptist Convention panel votes to unseal records in sex abuse probe

Waiving that privilege is considered crucial to enabling a transparent reckoning into how the denomination's leaders responded to abuse and abusers in its churches and institutions.

Catholic church sex abuse: 330,000 child victims in France, report says

Victims of sex abuse within France’s Catholic Church have welcomed a new report that says an estimated 330,000 children were sexually abused over the past 70 years.

Pat Robertson steps down as host of '700 Club'

The 91-year-old televangelist says Friday was his last show as host of the weekday program, and his son, Gordon, is taking over as full-time host.

Facebook's new prayer tool arrives to mixed reception

Users who are members of faith-based Facebook groups will find an option allowing them to request prayers and other group members will be able to respond via the “I prayed” icon.

$100,000 needed to save Seminole Heights Baptist Church steeple

Neighborhood associations have been begging for someone to save the steeple of the Seminole Heights Baptist Church before it's too late. As demolition begins, they say $100,000 is what it would take.

Hillsong founder says COVID-19 vaccine is a ‘personal decision’ after church member dies

Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston said much of his staff are fully vaccinated after church member Stephen Harmon, refused to get inoculated and later died from COVID-19.

Pope Francis returns to Vatican 10 days after surgery

Pope Francis arrived at the Vatican Wednesday after being discharged from a Rome hospital 10 days after intestinal surgery to remove half of his colon.

Lawyer: Family suing Tampa school for straying from 'conservative Catholic education'

A family is suing the Academy of Holy Names for breach of contract, saying their children didn't get the Catholic education as promised. The school says claims are false.

Pope Francis eats breakfast, takes walk 2 days after intestinal surgery

Pope Francis ate breakfast Tuesday and took a walk as he continues to recover from a scheduled intestinal surgery, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis alert and well after intestinal surgery, Vatican says

Pope Francis is “in good condition, alert and breathing on his own,” a day after he underwent planned intestinal surgery, the Vatican said.

60 House Democrats sign letter asking Catholic leaders to reconsider Biden rebuke over abortion

U.S. Catholic bishops have overwhelmingly approved the drafting of a “teaching document” that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.

Southern Baptists vote to probe leaders on handling of alleged sexual abuse

Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting have voted overwhelmingly to create a task force to oversee an independent investigation into the denomination’s handling of sexual abuse.

DeSantis signs bill mandating moment of silence in schools

Touting the measure as a way of allowing students to “reflect and be able to pray as they see fit,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill that will require public schools to hold moments of silence at the beginning of each day.

Rick Warren, Saddleback megachurch pastor, to retire

Saddleback Church's pastor and "The Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren announced he will step down.

Vatican law criminalizes sexual abuse of adults by priests, laity

After 14 years of study, Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly criminalize the sexual abuse of adults by priests who abuse their authority and to say that laypeople who hold church office can be sanctioned too.

Italian judge on the path to sainthood after getting killed by mobsters

A magistrate slain by mobsters in Sicily and praised by two popes has been beatified by the Roman Catholic church on Sunday in the last formal step before possible sainthood.

Catholic bishops debate if Biden should receive communion given abortion stance

There’s a deep gulf between Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego in the high-stakes debate over whether politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion