Weekly religion news roundup (September 11-17, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
16th Street Baptist Church marks bombing anniversary with a new visitor center. Sixty-three years ago, dynamite planted by Ku Klux Klan members exploded through the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four girls as they prepared for Sunday services. The church marked the anniversary with the opening of a new visitors center that leaders said is aimed at educating people about one of the most horrific events of the Civil Rights Movement and urging a recommitment to continue the struggle for justice. (Associated Press)
Is ‘Free Palestine’ antisemitic? Here are 5 religion takeaways from the Macklemore cancelation. The charge that criticism of Israel amounts to antisemitism is highly contested. (Religion News Service)
More universities added Muslim chaplains post 9/11. Then came 10/7. There are now 80 full time Muslim chaplains on college campuses across the country, and some have designated spaces for Muslim prayers and programs, according to the Association of Muslim Chaplains. But that growth has collided with a more hostile moment for American Muslim students amid an increase in anti-Muslim political rhetoric, and in the wake of Israel’s war. (Associated Press)
Franklin Graham’s daughter nominated as ambassador. Franklin Graham’s daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as United States Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. (Baptist News Global)
A Christian pastor called Arapaho ceremonies ‘idol worship.’ Now the tribe wants her church gone. The two rituals have unfolded in parallel since the Christian church’s pastor, Sarah Lucas, preached a sermon condemning Arapaho ceremonial ways. (Religion News Service)
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.
Dispute between kosher grocers headed to highest rabbinical court in US. For three decades, one grocery store has anchored kosher life in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill. Soon it will have new company: a rival supermarket opening just blocks away. The family that runs the original store says the new store was built in part on their own private financial records, shared in confidence during a sale that fell through. The newcomer, for its part, says it has “acted properly” throughout. The dispute is now headed to a rabbinical tribunal, where both sides will make their case. (The Christian Century)
Amid tensions, Canadian bishop reminds Catholics of US, Canada: ‘We are neighbors.’ With relations between Canada and the United States fraying due to the U.S. trade war, the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says that despite increased tension, he hopes the two nations can reconcile. (National Catholic Reporter)
Minnesota churches roiled by legal battle over ICE surveillance and right to protest. Court cases involving Twin Cities churches and immigration enforcement highlight how the acrimonious debate continues to roil faith communities more than six months since the federal surge turned Minnesota into a symbol of defiance of the Trump administration's policies. (NPR News)
Jimmy Lai’s son pushes Pope Leo XIV to get father out of jail in Hong Kong. Sebastien Lai said that his father’s health is deteriorating after nearly six years in solitary confinement. (Religion News Service)
Orthodox church sends medieval prince’s remains to Russian troops in Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox church has sent a fragment of a medieval warrior prince’s remains to troops fighting in Ukraine, saying the relic would “spiritually strengthen” soldiers and help them achieve victory. (The Guardian)
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.
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