In Boston, US Jews envision a Judaism beyond Zionism

by News Feed Editor | Feb 19, 2026 | Religion

BOSTON (RNS) — On Yom Kippur in 2024, one year after Israel began its fierce assault on Gaza, Rabbi Greg Hersh’s small Massachusetts synagogue voted to raise money to buy military gear for the Israel Defense Forces.  Hersh, a 40-year old graduate of the...

Ash Wednesday protests and Masses make solidarity with immigrants a Lenten theme

by News Feed Editor | Feb 19, 2026 | Religion

(RNS) — Christian leaders — from Catholic cardinals and Episcopal and Lutheran bishops to moderate evangelical Christians — took their faith’s day of penitence and prayer as an opportunity to speak out on behalf of immigrants and against President Donald Trump’s mass...

Bay Area pastor, shot with a pepper round, files $5M claim against federal government

by News Feed Editor | Feb 19, 2026 | Religion

(RNS) — Last October, the Rev. Jorge Bautista was standing at the one-road entrance to a California military base, protesting the Trump administration’s deportation efforts, when he saw a masked federal agent approach, weapon raised. Moments later, the agent fired a...

Breakaway Catholic group rejects Vatican talks, indicating collision course for pope

by News Feed Editor | Feb 19, 2026 | Religion

ROME (AP) — A breakaway Catholic traditionalist group on Thursday rejected the Vatican’s offer of talks, suggesting a collision course with Pope Leo XIV over its planned consecrations of new bishops without his consent. In a letter to the Vatican’s doctrine chief, the...

How faith networks are building a safety net for immigrants released from detention

by News Feed Editor | Feb 19, 2026 | Religion

This story is part of RNS’ Love Thy Neighbor series. You can read all the stories here. LOS ANGELES (RNS) — At Restauración Los Angeles, a nondenominational Christian congregation with more than 2,000 members, many have personal immigration experiences. That means...

Polish bishop on trial over alleged delays in reporting claims of child abuse by priests

by News Feed Editor | Feb 19, 2026 | Religion

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Polish bishop went on trial Wednesday, accused of not informing authorities immediately about alleged sexual abuse of children by two priests in his diocese. It is the first time a Polish bishop is on trial over sexual abuse allegedly committed...