Weekly religion news roundup (September 18-24, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
Famed radio and TV priest Fulton Sheen to be beatified in St. Louis, a step away from sainthood. Tens of thousands of Catholic devotees are converging on St. Louis for a formal ceremony of beatification on Thursday, in which the late archbishop will be designated Blessed Fulton Sheen — one step away from sainthood. (Associated Press)
He spent years reconciling his identity. Now he’s the first Arab bishop in Episcopal history. As a Christian minister with a Muslim father and a mother of Jewish heritage, Bishop Adam Shoemaker hopes to use his background to facilitate more reconciliation, integration and ‘the understanding that we are inextricably linked.’ (Religion News Service)
As Texas Republicans target Islam, a once-quiet Muslim community fights back. On the ground, activists, attorneys, and ordinary Muslim residents are packing city council meetings, staging protests, filing lawsuits, and building interfaith coalitions. So far, they have had mixed success. Still, many said they are engaged in an existential fight. (The Christian Century)
Shooting near Ontario synagogue on Yom Kippur leaves police officer wounded. A police officer was wounded in an exchange of gunfire Sunday outside a synagogue in Ontario as members of the Jewish community marked Yom Kippur, authorities said. (CBS News)
Not set in stone: teachers are defying mandates to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Some educators are pushing back in class and in court against the display of the religious code in public schools. (The Guardian)
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.
As violence escalates in Nigeria, Christian and Muslim leaders unite. Amid surging kidnappings and attacks on communities and places of worship, faith leaders are forming partnerships aimed at countering religious division and building peace. (Religion News Service)
The People’s Revival seeks to get out the vote. An alliance of faith, labor and civil rights is needed to address the interlocking challenges of racism, xenophobia, militarism and authoritarianism currently looming over American democracy, said Willie Francois III, second vice president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. (Baptist News Global)
Meryl Streep as Narnia’s Aslan: Why some evangelicals call it blasphemy. News that three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep would voice Aslan — the Jesus figure at the center of Lewis’ bestselling series in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” — led to confusion, anger and disappointment on social media, with some evangelical fans planning to skip the film. It’s set to be released in theaters in February 2027. (The Roys Report)
Some climb for faith, others for the views. This Chinese sacred mountain draws them all. Tourists and pilgrims in a steady stream make their way through Wudang every day. Its scenic peaks, ancient palaces and religious sites drew 14 million visits in 2025, according to government figures. Wudang’s Taoist buildings date as far back as the 7th century. (Associated Press)
A Kurdish Pastor’s Arrest Stirs Fears in Post-Assad Syria. Locals believe the Sunni populist government is emboldening Islamist groups. (Christianity Today)
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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