Weekly religion news roundup (October 3-9, 2025)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
Palestinians in Gaza express relief and caution as ceasefire deal raises hopes of ending the war. Eager for the bloodshed, displacement and destruction to stop, many Palestinians in Gaza were relieved to hear news that Israel and Hamas agreed to a pause in their devastating two-year war. But it was mixed with pain from staggering losses and concern about what comes next. (Associated Press)
In Chicago, clergy and faith-based protesters say ICE is threatening their religious freedom. Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who would Jesus deport?’ (Religion News Service)
Pope meets with Chicago union leaders, urges migrant welcome as crackdown underway in hometown. Pope Leo XIV urged labor union leaders from Chicago on Thursday to advocate for immigrants and welcome minorities into their ranks, weighing in as the Trump administration crackdown on immigrants intensifies in the pontiff’s hometown. (Associated Press)
Entire Fifth Circuit will rehear Louisiana Ten Commandments case. A federal appeals court has tossed out its previous ruling that Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is “plainly unconstitutional” and announced all 17 of its judges will now reconsider the case. (Baptist News Global)
A woman as archbishop of Canterbury will come at a cost. She may also bring more welcome change. Mullally’s appointment is a landmark moment in a broader trend of women’s presence becoming gradually stronger in her denomination. (Religion News Service)
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.
New Jersey rabbi assaulted in random attack outside his home on eve of Jewish holiday. A rabbi in New Jersey was assaulted in a random attack Sunday afternoon ahead of a weeklong Jewish holiday, prompting police to add extra patrols around residences and synagogues. (CNN)
The Zionist consensus among US Jews has collapsed. Something new is emerging. Two years after the 7 October massacre and the onset of Israel’s slaughter in Gaza, American Jewry has been profoundly transformed. (The Guardian)
New Italian bill targets Islamic face coverings and religious funding. Italy's ruling Brothers of Italy party put forward legislation on Wednesday to ban the burqa and niqab in public spaces, part of a broader bill aimed at combating what it called "cultural separatism" linked to Islam. (Reuters)
Trump says there’s no reason to be good - other than to get into heaven. Trump’s comments came as he announced a presidential prayer initiative as he thinks ‘if a country doesn’t have religion’ then ‘it’s going to be very hard to be a good country.’ (The Independent)
Trump boasts of ‘Top 100 Victories for People of Faith.’ President Donald Trump recently celebrated his role as “the most pro-faith and pro-religious liberty president in American history” by issuing a little-noticed list of his “Top 100 Victories for People of Faith,” many of them gifts to the evangelicals who helped elect him in 2016 and 2024. (Baptist News Global)
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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