Religion and Faith

AP: After lobbying, Catholic Church won $1.4B in virus aid
The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used a special and unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with many millions going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups.
Supreme Court: Montana can't exclude religious schools from scholarship program
The 5-4 decision, in which Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's other conservatives, is a win for parents who wanted to use the state tax credit to help send children to religious schools.
Faith-based mutual aid flourishes amid pandemic, protests
Many volunteers and organizers say their efforts are driven both by the understanding that existing welfare systems are broken, and that it’s their duty as people of faith to step in. In Minneapolis, a block away from where George Floyd was killed, volunteers have for weeks gathered at the Baha’i Center to support locals in need.
'Jesus And John Wayne' explores Christian manhood — and how belief can bolster Trump
Author Kristin Kobes Du Mez says: "It seemed like evangelicals had betrayed their values. But if you look at this longer history of evangelical masculinity and militarism ... this wasn't a betrayal."
'He did not pray': Fallout grows from Trump's photo-op at St. John's Church
"He did not pray. He did not offer a word of balm or condolence to those who are grieving," says the bishop who oversees the church. Washington's mayor was more direct: "Shameful!"
Park police tear gas peaceful protesters to clear way for Trump church photo-op
After U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops pushed demonstrators out of Lafayette Park, President Trump walked from the White House to St. John's Church where he posed for pictures with a Bible.
St. Cloud diocese reaches agreement on sex abuse claims
The Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud says it has reached an agreement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse on a framework to settle their legal claims. It includes a $22.5 million trust to compensate abuse survivors and a future bankruptcy filing.