Holly Meyer | Associated Press

Some worshippers switching congregations amid United Methodist split over LGBTQ issues

Thousands of United Methodist congregations have been voting on whether to stay or quit one of the nation’s largest denominations amid intractable debates over theology and the role of LGBTQ people.

University of Pittsburgh student Olivia Meholic, front, prays after receiving Communion at St. Paul Catholic Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 26, 2022. During the service, the Very Rev. Kris Stubna gave a homily focused on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling, which he said was the result of prayers and efforts of many Catholics and others. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Identity & Community

After Roe’s demise, clergy in Pennsylvania and across the country lead faithful in praise, laments

Holly Meyer | Associated Press

“This law violated the very law of God, that every life is sacred. A person cannot support abortion and still be a faithful member of the church.”

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference at the Pennsylvania Capitol in 2018. A Pennsylvania grand jury investigation of clergy sexual abuse identified more than 1,000 child victims in records in six Roman Catholic dioceses.

Identity & Community

#ChurchToo revelations growing, years after movement began

Peter Smith | Associated Press

Recent weeks have seen an especially intense set of revelations about sexual assault and misconduct in U.S. churches. These reckonings are occurring five years after the rise of the hashtag #ChurchToo, part of the wider #MeToo movement. Says one advocate for survivors, “There is an absolute epidemic of abuse in the church.”