Church

Authorities have linked a man found dead in an Idaho church roughly 40 years ago to the 1982 Chicago-area Tylenol poisonings that killed seven people and transformed US drug packaging. The identification or connection sheds new light on one of America's most notorious unsolved criminal cases, prompting renewed discussion of the decades-old mystery.

Russia is deploying religious relics, including the remains of medieval princes and Orthodox saints, in connection with its war effort. The practice ties the Russian military campaign to Orthodox symbolism, with the Church playing a growing role in framing the conflict as sacred. Observers are discussing what this fusion of religion and warfare says about the Kremlin's war messaging.

A new piece argues that Christian churches can adapt their liturgy to recognize and honor transgender lives, framing inclusive worship as a matter of faith and dignity. The argument touches an ongoing debate within religious communities over how, or whether, to affirm trans people in worship, theology and congregational practice.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, are marking one year since a shooting at their meetinghouse. Congregants and local leaders are reflecting on the anniversary, describing ongoing struggles with trauma and the community's efforts toward healing, according to coverage in church-affiliated outlets.

Christ Reformed Baptist Church is under scrutiny for its ties to International Reformed Baptist Seminary, with critics questioning whether the institution's strict Reformed theology fosters harsh or authoritarian ministry practices. The discussion, surfacing on watchdog blogs focused on church abuse and accountability, asks whether the seminary's doctrinal culture shapes the conduct of pastors it trains. No allegations against specific individuals have been reported.

Businesses on Burlington's Church Street are appealing directly to Vermont Governor Phil Scott for help with public safety concerns. The merchants are seeking state support to address safety issues affecting the popular pedestrian marketplace. The direct appeal to the governor highlights growing frustration among business owners over conditions on the street and the perceived limits of local responses.

A Los Angeles church is hosting extreme wrestling, according to reporting by Annenberg Media. The story highlights an unusual pairing of a religious venue with a combative sports entertainment event, drawing attention to how the church is opening its space to unconventional community programming. Little further detail about the event, its organisers, or reactions from attendees and the congregation is available in the current coverage.

Victor Marx, a Christian evangelist and filmmaker, is facing questions over whether his frequent appearances at churches comply with IRS rules governing nonprofit and religious organizations. The scrutiny centers on how his speaking engagements are handled financially and whether they meet tax compliance requirements. The topic has drawn attention in religious and news circles, with observers debating the implications for ministry finances and nonprofit oversight.

Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church in Adams, Massachusetts, has closed indefinitely. The parish building is no longer holding services, and local coverage offers no immediate explanation for the closure. Residents of the small Berkshire town are left awaiting word on the church's future, whether the shutdown is temporary or the first step toward a permanent closure.

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, said the French Church will have to "water the seeds" sown by the Pope's visit, meaning the fruits of the papal trip will depend on sustained follow-up by French Catholics. The remarks were reported by Vatican News and frame the visit as a beginning rather than an end.

A church calendar for 2026, listing religious observances and feast days for the coming year, has been published. Calendars of this kind are typically issued ahead of the liturgical year so congregations can plan services and holy days. No further details were available about the specific denomination or contents.

Ron Rallis, a Greenville-area developer known for painting a former church bright pink and dubbing it the 'Trap Church,' has been arrested again on a charge in Greenville County, according to the Post and Courier. The report marks another legal trouble for the controversial figure, though details of the charge were not included.

In Brazil, a country long described as the world's most Catholic with more than 100 million faithful, presidential candidates are focusing their campaigns on evangelical voters ahead of the election. Commentators say the shift reflects evangelical churches' growing political influence and mobilising power, as the community's share of the population rises while Catholic affiliation declines.

Opening statements have been delivered in the trial of the son of a church leader, according to Spectrum News. The case is now formally underway, with prosecutors and defence lawyers laying out their arguments before the court. Details of the charges, the defendant's name and the church involved have not been specified in the available reporting.

A church in Mascotte is looking for vendors for a community craft sale it will host on October 10. The announcement, carried in local coverage for the South Lake area, invites craft sellers to take part in the event. Details on how to register as a vendor were not included in the notice.

A lawsuit filed by a chaplain against the Anglican Church in North America has been thrown out by a court, according to a report by the conservative Christian news outlet World News Group. The ruling ends the chaplain's legal claim against the denomination, though details of the allegations and the court's reasoning have not been widely reported.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs at the Pentagon, described as the latest step in his push to elevate religion within the military. The move is drawing attention over the role of faith in the armed forces and the separation of church and state.