Weekly religion news roundup (May 15-21, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
‘History Started Here’: A New Voting Rights Movement Rises in Selma and Montgomery. In 1963, the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church was the site of the first mass meeting of the Selma voting rights movement. On Saturday, May 16, more than 60 years later, the church was the launch space for “All Roads Lead to the South,” a new campaign to protest Republican-led states’ efforts to redraw redistricting maps in a way opponents say will weaken the power of the Black vote. (Birmingham Times)
San Diego mosque shooting victims remembered as ‘men of courage, sacrifice and faith.’ Muslim advocates have warned in recent months of increasing anti-Muslim bigotry and its consequences. (Religion News Service)
Trump says Xi is considering a detained pastor’s case, but freeing activist Jimmy Lai is ‘tough.’ Speaking to reporters as he flew back from a trip to China, Trump said Xi told him he would give serious consideration to the case of Ezra Jin Mingri, pastor of an underground church detained in China in October in what observers have called an escalating crackdown on religious freedom. (Associated Press)
Diversity of faith missing from Rededicate 250. Any observance of the nation’s 250th anniversary should celebrate the diversity of faith in U.S. history, but that’s not what Americans saw during the Trump administration’s prayer and worship service May 17, religious and civil rights leaders say. (Baptist News Global)
Gazans barred from Hajj, animal sacrifice as major Muslim festival nears.Before the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in 2023, at least 3,000 Gazan pilgrims made the Hajj every year. The signing of a ceasefire in October that halted major fighting raised Palestinian hopes for renewed travel but they have been dashed by continued heavy restrictions on movement. (Reuters)
Each week in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
Journey of a lifetime: A US teen Buddhist lama is now a monk studying in the Himalayan foothills. Jalue Dorje grew up a typical American teen, loving video games and football. But he’s also an aspiring spiritual leader recognized from an early age by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnated lama. He’s now studying at monasteries in India and Nepal. (Associated Press)
A record-breaking race and Catholic blessing highlight the role of faith for Kenyan runners. Sabastian Sawe clinched the London Marathon in record time, becoming the first human to run an official marathon in under two hours. His win also drew attention to the connection between running and faith for Kenyans. (Religion News Service)
Bipartisan Senate duo unveils sweeping antisemitism bill. The legislation would target antisemitism on college campuses and online, as well as boost funding for Jewish communities. (Politico)
Interfaith peace march in Jerusalem counters rising violence and division. Holding placards calling for ‘justice,’ ‘trust’ and ‘peace,’ religious leaders led hundreds of peace activists, Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze in a march in Jerusalem May 18, days after thousands of Israeli ultra-nationalists chanting racists slogan clashed with Palestinian residents in the Old City during the annual Jerusalem Day's Flag Parade. (National Catholic Reporter)
American Missionary Doctor Contracts Ebola as Congo Outbreak Intensifies. Dr. Peter Stafford was working at a Christian hospital near the center of the outbreak that has killed at least 131. (Christianity Today)
On Pentecost, one California pastor is aiming for the world’s largest synchronized baptism. Churches from Africa to Europe to Asia are registered to participate in Baptize the World, while the Museum of the Bible is set to host a hybrid broadcast event, airing footage of baptisms held that day across the globe.(Religion News Service)
Hannah Estifanos is the copyeditor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
Get early access to the newest stories from Christian Citizen writers, receive contextual stories which support Christian Citizen content from the world’s top publications and join a community sharing the latest in justice, mercy and faith.