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Peyote that grows naturally in South Texas and Mexico threatened
Peyote, a cactus that contains mescaline, a hallucinogen, grows naturally in South Texas and northern Mexico. It is sacred to many Indigenous people, playing a central role in their ceremonies, spiritual practice and medicine.
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A Holy Year is about to start in Rome. Here's what you need to know
The first Holy Year was called in 1300, and in recent times they are generally celebrated every 25 to 50 years.
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What is a biblically accurate angel? And do you need one to top your Christmas tree?
About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they believe in angels, but what, exactly, is an angel? Typical portrayals in Western art depict them as human-looking, but with wings.
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Polygamous leader with 20 ‘wives' faces sentencing for criminal sex acts with children
A federal judge will first hear from a doctor who evaluated Samuel Bateman’s competency, determining whether the sentencing goes forward or he is remanded to state custody for psychiatric treatment until he’s deemed mentally fit to assist in his defense.
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Paris' Notre Dame celebrates first Sunday Mass since fire five years ago
Hundreds of people gathered in the storied landmark Sunday for a Mass marking the consecration of the cathedral’s altar.
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Pope Francis denounces attacks in Gaza, calls to determine if they constitute ‘genocide'
In September, he said Israel’s attacks in Gaza and Lebanon have been “immoral” and disproportionate, and that its military has gone beyond the rules of war.
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Federal judge blocks Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display Ten Commandments
A new Louisiana requirement that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public classroom by Jan. 1 was temporarily blocked by a federal judge who said the law is “unconstitutional on its face.”
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Pope Francis keeps accidentally tweeting about the New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints could use all the help they can get right now, and they continue to receive blessings from the Vatican.
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Archdiocese of Los Angeles reaches $880 million child sex abuse settlement over hundreds of claims
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached an $880 million settlement with plaintiffs over hundreds child sex abuse claims, according to attorneys.
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What is Yom Kippur and how is it celebrated?
Yom Kippur is the most important day of the year for the Jewish faith and ends the 10-day period of repentance and reflection known as the “High Holidays,” which began with Rosh Hashanah.
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Barbie debuts its first ‘Diwali doll' ahead of the Hindu festival of lights
A new Barbie will help celebrate the largest Indian festival of the year.
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Pope cancels his audiences due to slight illness days before a new trip
Pope Francis has cancelled his audiences because of a “slight flu-like state” just days before he is to embark on a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg.
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‘Come and visit': Inside a Buddhist temple in Homestead and the people who call it home
While the abbot may be the founding rock, it’s clear that the temple’s beating heart is made up of families who want to share it with the wider community.
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‘Come and visit': Inside a Buddhist temple in Homestead and the people who call it home
While the abbot may be the founding rock, it’s clear that the temple’s beating heart is made up of families like Tai Vaz’s, who want to share it with the wider community. And it’s not hard to see why.
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Vatican's Pius XII archives shed light on another contentious chapter: The Legion of Christ scandal
The recently opened archives of Pope Pius XII are providing details about the scandal over the founder of the Legionaries of Christ.
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A fire severely damages the historic First Baptist Dallas secondary chapel
The Texas Historic Landmark was built in 1890. The church will hold Sunday Services at the Dallas Convention Center.
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How will Louisiana's new Ten Commandments classroom requirement be funded and enforced?
As a legal battle ensues over a new Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms, the details of exactly how the mandate will be implemented and enforced remain unclear.
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Lawsuit challenges new Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments
Civil liberties groups have filed a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s new law mandating that the Ten Commandments must be displayed in every public school classroom.
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Heads of churches say Israeli government is demanding they pay property tax, upsetting status quo
The heads of major Christian denominations in Israel say that local governments across the country are demanding they pay property tax, violating a longstanding arrangement in a manner they say reflects growing intolerance for Christians in the Holy Land.
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Over 1,300 pilgrims died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, officials say
More than 1,000 people died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced intense high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom.