Weekly religion news roundup (November 28-December 4, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
During Advent, immigrant congregations find hope shadowed by fear. As the season of Advent begins, many Christians turn toward quiet reflection and preparation for Christmas. But in several Southern California congregations with large immigrant communities, that sacred anticipation is shadowed by a looming sense of fear. (NPR)
Bishop Budde writes about courage. Many came to know Bishop Mariann Budde when she gave a passionate plea to President Donald Trump at the presidential prayer inauguration: “May I ask you to have mercy.” (Baptist News Global)
Catholic military archbishop calls ‘intentional killing of noncombatants’ illegal and immoral. Archbishop Timothy Broglio called on political and military leaders ‘to respect the consciences of those who raise their right hands to defend and protect the Constitution by not asking them to engage in immoral actions.’ (RNS)
Woke church shocks locals with ICE-themed Nativity scene featuring baby Jesus with zip-tied hands. A Chicago-area American Baptist church is turning heads with its ICE raid-inspired Nativity scene. (The Daily Mail)
Muslim students warn of spate of harassment by far-right Christian agitators. Over the last two months, at least seven Muslim student groups in the U.S. have been harassed by right-wing Christian activists, said Mohamad Altabaa, a Texas student who is tracking harassment cases. (RNS)
Each Friday 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.
‘I couldn't go to anybody's rally’: Since Oct. 7, some Black Jews struggle to find belonging. A report on Black Jews’ feelings and experiences post-Oct. 7, 2023, suggests many have felt increasingly marginalized in their Jewish communities and tokenized outside of them. (RNS)
Laws shield taxpayer-funded crisis pregnancy centers from oversight. Half a century after Christian abortion opponents founded the first crisis pregnancy centers, the centers receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. But a powerful legal group is working to shield them from taxpayer oversight. (Baptist News Global)
Vatican commission again says no to ordaining women as deacons, but urges other ministries. A second Vatican study commission has determined that women should not be ordained as deacons, dealing another setback to Catholic women who hope one day to be able to preside at weddings, baptisms and funerals. (Associated Press)
Norway donates a Christmas tree to London every year. Here’s how the tradition began. London’s Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square will be lit up Thursday as part of a British tradition with roots in the Norwegian forest. (Associated Press)
Rebel nuns who ran away from care home could be allowed to stay in former convent. Catholic leaders say the nuns can remain at the Austrian convent but must return to a “cloistered monastic life” away from the public eye after going viral on Instagram. (NBC News)
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela is senior writer at American Baptist Home Mission Societies and assistant editor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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