Archive
The Christian Science Monitor: CRCC on How to Raise a ‘Good Person’ in Fractured Times
During a time when morals have become a matter of individual preference rather than societal norm, the Christian Science Monitor wrote about how families are teaching their kids about how to live. …
Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur: Musing on Mortality from a French Feminist Rabbi
This article was originally published by the New York Times, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur thinks a lot about death. In years past, she would typically …
Remembering Edmund Kaszibuloh Koroma: A Savior and Peace Builder
He was many things rolled into one: A committed community peace builder, a passionate promoter of religious tolerance and a tireless advocate of free education for children. Above all, Edmund Kaszibuloh Koroma …
Finding Accountability and a Moral Agenda After Revelations of Racism in City Hall
Politicians are elected to represent all of their constituents, not just those who voted for or supported them. They should be fair-minded and not traffic in exclusionary or discriminatory practices, or promote …
KPCC: Najuma Smith-Pollard on LA Council Members’ Racist Remarks
Faith leaders are among those calling for accountability after the revelations of racist comments in a conversation between some of Los Angeles’ top Latino political leaders. The Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard spoke …
Resources for Thriving Congregations: Programs, Services and Models of Engagement
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture invited a number of guests at our conference on “Reimagining Ministry (Again)” to share programs, services or models of engagement that faith leaders can …
Why They Cross the Mediterranean: Italy’s ‘Guardian Angel of Refugees’ in Conversation with a Survivor of the 2013 Lampedusa Shipwreck
For nearly 20 years, Eritrean Catholic Priest Mussie Zerai has fielded thousands of distress calls from refugees and migrants on shipwrecked vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. “I’ve heard the voices. I’ve heard …
Father Mussie Zerai: The Migrant Priest
Father Mussie Zerai (born in Asmara, 1975) is an Eritrean Roman Catholic priest and refugees’ rights advocate. Referred to as “the migrant priest,” “guardian angel of the refugees,” and “refugees’ first responder,” …
Passing on the Kindness: A Conversation on Faith and Social Entrepreneurship
The Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard hosted a conversation with Ida Puliwa, a social entrepreneur and community organizer from Malawi and a “Spiritual Exemplar,” profiled as part of the Center for Religion and …
Stones that Have Weathered Many Storms: A Reporter’s Notebook from a Human Rights Defender’s Place of Solace
In the rugged landscape of the Kotayk Province of Armenia, Geghard Monastery rises from an amphitheater of steep cliffs like a revelation. Even the long trek to the monastery complex, surrounded by …
Lara Aharonian: Advocating for Armenia’s Vulnerable Women
This article was originally published by Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. YEREVAN, Armenia (RNS) — Home for Lara Aharonian is this capital city whose architecture …
Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray Retires from University of Southern California
The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray announced his retirement from his second career—as Tansey Professor of Christian Ethics and chair of the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement—at the University of …
Caroline Bundy: Finding Grace for Homeless Youth and LGBTQ+ in Alabama
This article was originally published by Alabama Political Reporter, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. Alabama’s governor recently signed a pair of bills—one criminalizing gender-affirming care for transgender youth and …
Teresa Forcades: A Catholic Nun who Complicates the Abortion Conversation
This article was originally published by The Independent, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. It’s time to reimagine the debate around abortion. We are trapped in the tyranny of …
Ruth Messinger: The New York City Politician’s Long Second Act Honors ‘an Obligation to Respond’
This article was originally published by Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. (RNS) — New Yorkers of a certain age remember Ruth Messinger as a city …
Zannah Mustapha: Teaching Boko Haram’s kids
This article was originally published in The Christian Science Monitor, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA — One morning in May, Zina Mustapha stood before her 20 …
Zannah Mustapha: How One Man Has ‘Fathered’ More Than 2,000 Kids Orphaned By Boko Haram
This article was originally published in Religion Unplugged, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria— When Zannah Mustapha worked as a Shariah court lawyer in the mid-2000s, he …
RNS: Gajaweera on Buddhism and Sri Lanka’s Recent Protest Movement
Protests that led to Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resignation have raised questions about the role of Buddhism in the country’s politics. Religion News Service interviewed CRCC’s Nalika Gajaweera about the Buddhist …
Fouzia Azizi: Refugee to Refugee, Afghan Resettlement Worker Draws from Faith and Experience
This article was originally published by Religion News Service, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. CONCORD, Calif. (RNS) — Sayed Hashmi, an Afghan citizen, did not want to leave his …
Sister Agatha Chikelue: Committed to Building Peace in Nigeria
This article was originally published by Global Sisters Report, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. When she was an infant, Agatha Chikelue became gravely ill. Her parents took her to …