Rappler's latest stories on faith
[OPINION] Why did priests and religious vote for Duterte?
'My classmate who told me that he voted for Duterte after a process of discernment was most likely influenced by regionalism rather than the Holy Spirit'
Israel orders evangelical GOD TV off air
Israel's media watchdog accuses the network of seeking to target Jews with Christian content
[OPINION] When religion blames the victim
'In congregations around the Philippines, women are enjoined to be submissive to their husbands. The Filipino translation is more forceful: magpasakop sa asawa.'
[OPINION] Activism as a call from Christianity
'Calling our aid charity posits a hierarchy between you and the ones you choose to help'
[PODCAST] I've Got An Opinion: I can be transgender and Catholic at the same time
We speak with Mela Habijan, who is both a trans woman and a Catholic. How does she reconcile the two?
Trump angers American religious leaders with Bible photo op
'It was traumatic and deeply offensive, in the sense that something sacred was being misused for a political gesture,' Washington's Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde says
[OPINION] Christians can do more than protest
'It is easy for anyone to call on protest if he has the social safety nets when social unrest arises. But what about the poor?'
Rappler Sports Timeout: What's up with Faith Nisperos?
The highly touted Ateneo volleyball rookie draws inspiration as an athlete from her idol Michael Jordan
[OPINION] Laudato Si', 5 years later
Laudato Si' has become one of the most influential social encyclicals that has been released by a pope
Basagan ng Trip with Leloy Claudio: Why Christians should protest
This discussion may shake your faith or make it stronger. Historian Leloy Claudio questions the tenets of some religions with Jayeel Cornelio and Rico Villanueva.
[OPINION] Remembering Pope John Paul II: A centenary homage
'There was in Pope John Paul II a natural ability to recognize the person behind the veneer of social status, physical ailment, religious membership, ethnicity, or economic class and see her as someone worthy of respect'
[OPINION] Should Christians protest?
'Some Christians today say that Jesus had nothing to do with politics. He criticized religious leaders but not the political ones, they reason. But this is a distorted reading of the Bible.'
[OPINION] I was an atheist, then a Christian, and now an agnostic
'No matter which side you're on, it's wrong to make people feel unsafe for believing in the things they do, or feel that they are lesser than you for not believing in what you believe'
Ateneo rookie Nisperos ready to live out ‘dream’ opportunity
Highly-touted rookie Faith Nisperos delivers in her first game for the Ateneo Lady Eagles
[OPINION] What would Jesus do: The Christian dilemma in the time of Duterte
'I learned that the religious organization I was part of had endorsed politicians who went against the very teachings of my faith...I was disappointed with how the church was seemingly being used to win the ‘Christian vote’
[OPINION] National Baptist Day: Laughing instead of mourning
On social media, Kristoffer Pasion, a Filipino historian, minces no words: 'As a Baptist, I denounce this and the disgusting hypocrisy of these church leaders who invited Duterte and laughed at his curse-laden speech'
[OPINION] Something is wrong with Filipino faith
Why do we rank as a corrupt country despite being the only Christian nation in Asia? What happened to the faith that teaches us to love God and our neighbors?
French Muslim group sues internet giants over New Zealand massacre video
The French Council of the Muslim Faith is suing Facebook and YouTube for 'broadcasting a message with violent content abetting terrorism, or of a nature likely to seriously violate human dignity and liable to be seen by a minor'
De Lima marks 2nd year in jail with new book
Senator Leila de Lima's 'Dispatches from Crame II: Faith, Hope & Love' collects her opinion pieces on human rights, press freedom, and what it's like to be a 'prisoner of conscience'
Pope Francis announces Japan visit in November
The pope has made two trips to Asia since his election 5 years ago, visiting the Philippines and Sri Lanka in 2014, followed by Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017
Facing persecution at home, Ahmadiyya Muslims find refuge in Manila
The Philippines is home to hundreds of refugees who identify as Ahmadiyya Muslims, a sect of Islam that's constantly under attack in Muslim-majority countries. Less than 30 of them struggle to make a living in Metro Manila.
Woman suing R. Kelly for sex abuse says singer threatened her
Lawyer Gloria Allred says her client Faith Rodgers has faced 'efforts to intimidate and retaliate' from the singer, after she filed the lawsuit now pending in New York's Supreme Court
Turkey probes prominent TV anchor
Fox Haber's TV anchor Faith Portakal faces an investigation over his tweet asking Turks to have a 'peaceful protest against rising natural gas fees'
Supreme Court warns officials: ‘Good faith’ not always a valid excuse
The good faith doctrine is ‘inapplicable in a situation where there are circumstances that should have prompted the government officials to make further inquiries,’ says the High Court
#ThewRap: Things you need to know, June 26, 2018
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Tuesday
IN PHOTOS: The 'taong putik' of Nueva Ecija
Filipinos in the town of Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija, mark the feast of Saint John the Baptist by transforming themselves into 'taong putik' or mud people
CBCP hails 'wise' DOJ move to let Sister Fox stay for now
Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, thanks the Department of Justice for its 'wise' decision on Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox
'Pinapatay nila ang ating kawan. Pinapatay nila kaming mga pastol.'
'Ikaw ba ay pumapalakpak pa rin? Ikaw ba ay tumatawa pa rin? Katawa-tawa pa rin ba ito sa iyo?' sabi nina Archbishop Socrates Villegas at mga kapwa niya pari ng Arkidiyosesis ng Lingayen-Dagupan
'They are killing our flock. They are killing us shepherds.'
Archbishop Socrates Villegas and other leaders call on President Rodrigo Duterte 'to stop the verbal persecution of the Catholic Church,' as they denounce the killing of Father Richmond Nilo
He is insane. He is possessed.
Dear children, as for those who dare to teach you error, pray for them and forgive them. They might be insane or possessed. They need God.
John Paul II's blood relic to be shown again at Manila Cathedral
'Let us once again come together and receive God's grace through the intercession of our beloved St John Paul II,' says the Manila Cathedral on its Facebook page
Filipinos mark 400th year since Lady of Carmel's arrival in Philippines
'Sa mundong sumasamba sa mga huwad na diyos, bumalik tayo sa Carmel,' writes Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle for 'Salubong at Traslacion'
Pope John Paul II's blood relic honored at Manila Cathedral
The public veneration of the blood relic at the Manila Cathedral lasts until 8 pm on Saturday, April 7, and resumes from 6 am to 8 pm on Sunday, April 8
Palaro record-breaker Sylvian Abunda aims for back-to-back gold in javelin
Sylvian Faith Abunda, a Grade 11 student at Lantapan Stand-Alone Senior High School in Lantapan, Bukidnon, is banking on her experience, perseverance, and discipline to achieve her Palaro dreams
Netizens slam devotees, tourists for leaving trash in Holy Week sites
Irate netizens document the litter left in Holy Week pilgrimage sites and vacation spots
Virtual Visita Iglesia: Philippine churches in 360-degree video
To navigate on mobile and see each church in 360-degree view, scroll up and down or swipe left and right on the screen, while listening to and praying the Stations of the Cross
Sandiganbayan to DOJ: Prove threats vs Janet Napoles
First Division Justice Geraldine Faith Econg says lawyer Stephen David's story about a supposed ransacking incident inside the prison cell of Janet Napoles is ‘unimaginable’
Revilla again delays trial at Sandiganbayan
Former senator Bong Revilla’s lawyer, Estelito Mendoza, reveals their petition before the Supreme Court has been on the en banc agenda for weeks now, but the Sereno controversy bumped it off. The en banc agenda is supposed to be confidential.
Cardinal Tagle backs February 24 walk vs killings
'Maglakad para sa buhay,' says Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle ahead of the Walk for Life on Saturday, February 24
Manila Cathedral hosts St Therese's relics on February 18-19
'The Manila Cathedral will be open all night until the following day for those who may want to pray and keep vigil in the presence of the Little Flower'
Church sets February 24 walk vs killings, dictatorship
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is expected to say Mass at the Walk for Life to be held at the Quirino Grandstand
Iglesia ni Cristo system can help Filipinos abroad – Cayetano
The Iglesia ni Cristo has 'churches in several countries around the world' and a system of coordinating with government to attend to complaints of overseas Filipinos, says the DFA chief
Ash Wednesday on Valentine's: 'Love expressed by sacrifice'
'The 3 keys for Valentine's Day are the same 3 keys for the season of Lent – sacrifice, prayer, and giving,' says Archbishop Socrates Villegas
Pope Francis calls journalists 'protectors of news'
'In today's world, theirs is, in every sense, not just a job; it is a mission,' Pope Francis says of the work of journalists, as he slams fake news
Finding Christ in the Philippine National Police
Reverend Father Police Senior Superintendent Jason Ortizo shares the highs and lows of being a cop-priest for the Philippine National Police
Despite tears, Villegas says heading CBCP a 'blessing'
In a Rappler Talk interview, Archbishop Socrates Villegas looks back at the 4 years he headed the CBCP. 'We are not really critics. We are partners,' Villegas says.
Rappler Talk: Archbishop Socrates Villegas on his 4 years as CBCP head
Rappler talks to Archbishop Socrates Villegas about his experience as CBCP president, and his views on issues such as the proposed revolutionary government
New CBCP head tells priests, nuns: Repent
Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles calls for 'humble repentance and reparation' for 'occasions of frailty and scandals' among priests and nuns
Archbishop Villegas ends term as CBCP president
During his 4 years as CBCP president, Archbishop Socrates Villegas spared no one from criticism, from Benigno Aquino III to Rodrigo Duterte
De Castro accuses Sereno of deception
(3rd UPDATE) 'I can't stand idly by when the collegial decision of the SC is being set aside,' says Justice De Castro, referring to the creation by Sereno of a new court office. The Sereno camp says JDO is no different from RCAO.
