DAVID CRARY

Global religion news director

Crary has headed AP’s 11-person religion team since 2020. Among previous AP jobs, he was a foreign correspondent for 14 years, and has used that experience to bolster AP’s worldwide religion coverage.

Pennsylvania bishop Sean Rowe elected new leader of Episcopal Church. He’s the youngest since 1789

Sean Rowe, a 49-year-old bishop from western Pennsylvania, has become the youngest person ever elected as leader of the Episcopal Church.

Defrocked in 2004 for same-sex relationship, a faithful Methodist is reinstated as pastor

Twenty years ago, Beth Stroud was defrocked as a United Methodist Church pastor after telling her Philadelphia congregation that she was in a committed same-sex relationship.

United Methodists scrap their anti-gay bans. A woman who defied them seeks reinstatement as pastor

Twenty years ago, Beth Stroud was defrocked from her beloved job as a United Methodist pastor in Philadelphia.

War, hostages, antisemitism: A somber backdrop to this year’s Passover observances

Passover is a major Jewish holiday, celebrated over seven or eight days each year. It commemorates the exodus of ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as recounted in the Bible.

Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people

The Vatican has issued a new document rejecting the concept of changing one’s biological sex. It’s a setback for transgender people who had hoped Pope Francis might be setting the stage for a more welcoming approach from the Catholic Church.

Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives

Transgender Catholics are voicing disappointment with a new Vatican document rejecting the fundamental concept of changing one’s biological sex.

Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries

Throughout history, solar eclipses have had profound impact on adherents of various religions around the world.

During the Israel-Hamas war, Jews will soon celebrate Purim — one of their most joyous holidays

Purim is widely depicted as the most joyful of Jewish holidays — highlighted by celebrations that include costumes, skits and noisemakers.

Faced with wave of hostile bills, transgender rights leaders are playing “a defense game”

For decades, the plotline for LGBTQ+ activism in the U.S. was one of advances — often slow but moving forward.

Jesuits in US bolster outreach initiative aimed at encouraging LGBTQ+ Catholics

Catholic dogma continues to repudiate same-sex marriage and gender transition. Yet one of the most prominent religious orders in the United States — the Jesuits — is strengthening a unique program of outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics.

Anti-abortion activists brace for challenges ahead as they gather for annual March for Life

A year ago, anti-abortion activists from across the U.S. gathered for their annual March for Life with reason to celebrate.

How to deal with same-sex unions? It’s a question fracturing major Christian denominations

Reaction among Catholics around the world is sharply divided over the Vatican’s recent declaration giving priests more leeway to bless same-sex couples.

US Catholic leadership foresees challenges after repeated election defeats for abortion opponents

Repeatedly in recent years, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has stipulated that the threat of abortion remains its preeminent priority.

Somber, joyful, magical: Some of the most compelling AP religion photos of 2023

In the searing heat of Mecca, throngs of Muslims from around the world converged for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Step by step, Francis has made the Catholic Church a more welcoming place for LGBTQ people

The Catholic Church, in its doctrine, still rejects same-sex marriage and condemns any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as “intrinsically disordered.”

Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples that must not resemble marriage

The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

Longtime Israeli policy foes are leading US protests against Israel’s action in Gaza. Who are they?

As the Israel-Hamas war rages in Gaza, there’s a bitter battle for public opinion flaring in the U.S., with angry rallies on many college campuses and disruptive protests at prominent venues in several major cities.

Vatican steps closer to allowing transgender people to be baptized as Catholics

In the United States, the national conference of Catholic bishops rejects the concept of gender transition, leaving many transgender Catholics feeling excluded.

25 years after Matthew Shepard’s death, LGBTQ+ activists say equal-rights progress is at risk

Twenty-five years have passed since gay 21-year-old college student Matthew Shepard died after being beaten and tied to a remote fence.

Ideological rifts among U.S. bishops are in the spotlight ahead of momentous Vatican meeting

Early next month, the Vatican will open an unprecedented gathering of Catholic clergy and laypeople from around the world.

Ahead of High Holidays, US Jewish leaders stress need for security vigilance as antisemitism surges

Ahead of the High Holidays that begin this week, a network of Jewish security experts and religious leaders in the U.S. hosted several webinars to help prepare for the season.

From MLK to today, the March on Washington highlights the evolution of activism by Black churches

The March on Washington of 1963 is remembered most for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

A throng of interfaith leaders to focus on combating authoritarianism at global gathering in Chicago

Thousands of people representing scores of religions and belief systems are expected to convene in Chicago for a weeklong event.

Some critics see Trump’s behavior as un-Christian. His conservative Christian backers see a hero

For eight years, Donald Trump has managed to secure the support of many evangelical and conservative Christians despite behavior that has often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels.

A nun commends Dodgers’ handling of Pride Night controversy. Some archbishops call it blasphemy

The Los Angeles Dodgers, over the decades, have endured fans’ diatribes along with their cheers. This week, perhaps for the first time, they were accused of blasphemy.

America’s religious leaders sharply divided over abortion, a year after Roe v Wade’s reversal

In the year since the Supreme Court struck down the nationwide right to abortion, America’s religious leaders and denominations have responded in strikingly diverse ways.

Wave of anti-transgender bills in Republican-led states divides US faith leaders

As Republican-governed states across the nation advance numerous bills targeting transgender young people, America’s faith leaders are starkly divided in their assessment.

Military hospital chided for shift in Catholic pastoral care

The management of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has drawn criticism from a prominent archbishop -- and some members of Congress.

Pastors’ view: Sermons written by ChatGPT will have no soul

Among sermon writers, there is fascination – and unease – over the fast-expanding abilities of artificial-intelligence chatbots.

US divided over Roe’s repeal as abortion foes gird for march

Anti-abortion activists will have multiple reasons to celebrate — and some reasons for unease — when they gather Friday in Washington for the annual March for Life.