Weekly religion news roundup (October 10-16, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
Amid historic deal, Gaza pastor says little is left after 'tsunami' of destruction. Hundreds of aid trucks slowly made their way out of a gigantic Rafah crossing queue into Gaza early morning Oct. 12 — a territory exhausted, starving and flattened after a two-year war that has led to an estimated 67,000 Palestinian dead and 170,000 injured, the vast majority believed to be civilians. (National Catholic Reporter)
China arrested 30 Christians. Some fear it's the start of a bigger crackdown. They point to new laws passed in China which appear aimed at curbing underground church activity, and increasing pressure exerted by authorities on church members in recent months. (BBC News)
Pope denounces use of hunger as weapon of war as he urges world leaders ‘not to look the other way.’ Pope Leo XIV on Thursday denounced the use of hunger as a weapon of war as he urged world leaders to act responsibly and focus on the multitudes across the globe who face hunger, wars and misery. (Associated Press)
What is SB 509, the vetoed bill dividing Hindus and Sikhs? California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a contentious bill Monday evening (Oct. 13) that had for months been the focus of Indian diaspora communities across the nation. The bipartisan bill, known as SB 509, would have required the state’s Office of Emergency Services to develop training for the state’s law enforcement agencies to recognize and respond to transnational repression — the intimidation, surveillance or harassment of a foreign government’s dissidents within the state’s borders. (Religion News Service)
75-year-old Olasky named editor of Christianity Today. Russell Moore has stepped down as editor in chief of Christianity Today and will be succeeded by one of the most iconoclastic Christian journalists of the late 20th century. (Baptist News Global)
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.
Dallin H. Oaks, former Utah Supreme Court justice, is selected to lead Mormon church. Oaks was named Tuesday as the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its more than 17 million members worldwide. (Associated Press)
Harout Bastajian, a Christian muralist, found his calling painting mosque domes. A new exhibition at the Arab American National Museum in Michigan celebrates these domes and offers visitors an intimate look at Bastajian's large-scale designs through original panels and photographic displays. (Religion News Service)
Church of Norway says sorry to LGBTQ+ people for ‘shame, great harm and pain.’ Presiding bishop Olav Fykse Tveit says discrimination and harassment should ‘never have happened.’ (The Guardian)
House Democrats draw flak for supporting Charlie Kirk day. Congressional resolutions declaring Oct. 14 a day of remembrance for slain right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk have fueled squabbling among House Democrats and confirm the continuing rise of Christian nationalism in conservative American politics, observers say. (Baptist News Global)
Shamans openly using psychedelic drugs for treatment in South Africa. Although psychedelic drugs are illegal in South Africa, many self-appointed healers and shamans based in Cape Town are openly advertising that they incorporate them in their therapies. (BBC 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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