The Columbian

Churches & Religion

Pope Francis delivers the Angelus noon prayer in St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

Pope on COVID vaccines says health care a ‘moral obligation’

January 10, 2022, 9:15am Churches & Religion

Pope Francis suggested Monday that getting vaccinated against the coronavirus was a “moral obligation” and denounced how people had been swayed by “baseless information” to refuse one of the most effective measures to save lives during the pandemic. Read story

The Rev. Athanasius Abanulo introduces newborn, Nathalia Perez, to the congregation at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Dec. 12 in Wedowee, Ala. Originally from Nigeria, Abanulo is one of numerous international clergy helping ease a U.S. priest shortage by serving in Catholic dioceses across the country.

African priests ease U.S. clergy shortage

January 8, 2022, 6:02am Churches & Religion

The Rev. Athanasius Chidi Abanulo — using skills honed in his African homeland to minister effectively in rural Alabama— determines just how long he can stretch out his Sunday homilies based on who is sitting in the pews. Read story

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill delivers the Christmas Liturgy in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. Parishioners wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus, observed social distancing guidelines as they attended the liturgy Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar.

Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns

January 7, 2022, 8:34am Churches & Religion

Orthodox Christians in Russia, Serbia and other countries observed Christmas on Friday amid restrictions aimed at dampening the spread of the coronavirus, but few worshipers appeared concerned as they streamed into churches on Christmas Eve. Read story

Volunteer Jill Karmy sorts through donated school supplies Monday afternoon while helping at the clothing pop-up shop for Afghan refugees at Friends of the Carpenter.

Clark County organizations start pop-up shop to help Afghan refugees

January 5, 2022, 6:02am Churches & Religion Subscriber Exclusive

Afghan refugees often arrive in Clark County with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Some come alone. Others come as families, from a multi-generational family of 12, to a single mother and her two daughters. Whatever their circumstances, Lutheran Community Services Northwest resettles them. The organization has… Read story

Client Uriah Schlosser of Vancouver keeps out of the cold as he takes a seat at the St. Paul Lutheran Church warming shelter Wednesday afternoon.

Clark County churches, nonprofits work to keep homeless out of the cold

December 30, 2021, 6:00am Churches & Religion Subscriber Exclusive

Uriah Schlosser, 33, has metal in his hip, wrist and jaw — remnants from surgery he had following a car accident. Now, freezing weather causes him severe pain. Read story

FILE - Women in Cape Town, South Africa, protest a sentence given to two men under Malawi's anti-gay legislation on May 20, 2010. Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice. But the South African archbishop's campaign against homophobia had limited impact in the rest of Africa.

Tutu’s advocacy for LGBTQ rights did not sway most of Africa

December 29, 2021, 8:42am Churches & Religion

Desmond Tutu is being remembered for his passionate advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people as well as his fight for racial justice. But the South African archbishop’s campaign against homophobia had limited impact in the rest of Africa, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and most countries criminalize gay sex. Read story

An Israeli health worker tests an unvaccinated ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary student for COVID-19 at a coronavirus testing center in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. The student, who declined to give his name, said he didn't want to get vaccinated because he previously had COVID-19. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel have yet to receive their COVID shots. The group has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country despite being pummeled by the virus throughout the pandemic.

Hard-hit by COVID, Israel’s ultra-Orthodox slow to get shots

December 28, 2021, 8:18am Churches & Religion

Yossi Levy has repeatedly booked and canceled his coronavirus vaccine appointment. The 45-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew recovered from the virus earlier this year, as have his eight children and wife. But a combination of lethargy and procrastination has prevented him from following through and getting inoculated. Read story

A flock of birds fly past a Catholic church as the sun rises Jan. 1 in Damar, Kan. For Christian birdwatchers -- or to use a phrase coined by theologian John Stott, "ornitheologists" -- birding is a kind of worship.

Birdwatching spiritual pursuit for Christians

December 25, 2021, 6:05am Churches & Religion

It is early morning in the Great Smoky Mountains. Kevin Burrell is half asleep and wrapped tightly in his sleeping bag. Before surrendering his warm cocoon to the chilly morning air, he hears the call of a hermit thrush just above his tent, coaxing him to stay in bed for… Read story

Grant Gershon, right, conducts the Los Angeles Master Chorale at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Nov. 21 in Los Angeles.

Hallelujah’s history: Remarkable story behind the joyful, enduring word

December 25, 2021, 6:02am Churches & Religion

It begins with the violins — orderly and baroque. The choir rises. The audience rises. And before you know it, the concert hall, church, rec center or school auditorium fills with the triumphant sound of one of the most beloved musical works of the season: Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus. Read story