Religion

Religion

Chicago's Jewish community prepares to celebrate Passover

Passover, which starts before sundown Monday and ends after nightfall on April 30, commemorates the liberation of Jews from slavery in Egypt.

By Mohammad Samra

The Rev. Mark Santo, shown at St. Philip High School in Chicago in the 1960s.

The Watchdogs

Catholic priest accused of sex abuse served in 9 church jurisdictions, including Chicago. So why is he on just one abuser list?

The Catholic church’s transparency on accusations of sexual abuse by clergy members, including the Rev. Mark Santo, remains inconsistent and lacking across the United States, clouding the extent of the crisis more than 20 years after it exploded into view.

By Robert Herguth

Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III points at Rev. Jesse Jackson as both sit and eat at a red cloth covered table at the Rainbow PUSH Convention, with a packed crowd seen behind them.

Politics

Rainbow PUSH leader’s quick exit underscores challenge of following Rev. Jackson: ‘It’s the most difficult job in Black America’

It’s unclear why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III, a Texas megachurch pastor, suddenly resigned Tuesday as president of the South Side social justice organization. But longtime observers say an out-of-towner was doomed from the start.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III chats with Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH Convention Faith Leaders Luncheon at the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago on the South Side, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Chicago

New leader of Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition steps down after less than 3 months on the job

The Rev. Frederick Haynes III, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, took over as president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in February and had planned to run the organization from Texas.

By Associated Press

Religion

'Mitzvah Mobiles' circle Daley Plaza for 27th annual pre-Passover parade

Passover, which begins April 22, commemorates the emancipation of Jews from slavery in Egypt.

By Mohammad Samra

Screenshot 2024-04-16 at 11.26.44 AM.png

Religion

Antisemitic acts in Illinois and nation at worst levels ever, Anti-Defamation League says

“In the 45 years since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979, it has never been this bad,” said ADL Midwest regional director David Goldenberg. According to a new report, Illinois saw a 74% increase in antisemitic incidents in 2023.

By David Struett

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) pictured at an October City Council meeting.

Chicago

Mayor hosts forum to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate, but some invitees skip meeting

About 20 elected officials and community organizers discussed ways the city can combat antisemitism, though attendees said it was just the start of the conversation. Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) said the gesture was ‘hollow.’

By Violet Miller

City Hall

Johnson renews call for Gaza cease-fire at Eid celebration

Thousands gathered Wednesday morning for prayers at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, where Mayor Brandon Johnson briefly gave a renewed call for peace in Gaza.

By David Struett

Sheza Shah, 16, paints a pink butterfly on Lailah Dababseh, 5, during an Eid celebration at Henry A. Proesel Park in Lincolnwood, Illinois, on Monday, May 2, 2022.

Religion

Where to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in the Chicago area

Eid al-Fitr is the three-day holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

By Kade Heather

VELOMOBILE-040724.jpg. Father Ephraim of Saints Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church shows how he navigates his Velombile, a covered, non-motorized tricycle, outside his church in Irving Park, Thursday, April 4, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Transportation

What's that lean, green, pedal-powered machine on Chicago streets? And who's inside it?

It’s a velomobile, and the man behind the wheel is Greek Orthodox monk Father Ephraim, who moved to the Northwest Side after five years at a religious commune in remote Alaska. And who wouldn’t want to navigate Chicago streets in a vehicle not much taller than a fire hydrant?

By Stefano Esposito

Dr. Thaer Ahmad, wearing black, leans across a Gaza patient he's treating as other medical professionals — wearing scrubs, lab coats or street clothes — work in the background.

Israel-Hamas War

Oak Lawn doctor, Muslim leaders angry over Gaza reject chance to break Ramadan fast with Biden

A year ago, President Joe Biden marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan by holding a celebration at the White House. This year, Muslim invitees including the Palestinian American doctor, who treated wounded in Gaza, declined to join an iftar dinner.

By Associated Press and Emmanuel Camarillo

Other Views

Why it's called Easter, and other little-known facts about the holiday

Many people don’t know the origins of the name, or about other non-Christian traditions associated with the day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, a religious scholar explains.

By Brent Landau

Religion

Clergy plan Easter sermons drawing on migrant crisis, conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza

As Christians prepare to celebrate the Resurrection, Chicago-area clergy members share plans for their Easter Sunday services.

By Mary Norkol and Mohammad Samra

Jesus, played by Tony Diaz, is carried down from the cross during the 47th annual “Via Crucis: Living Way of the Cross,” a Lenten tradition that recounts the passion and death of Jesus Christ, in the Pilsen neighborhood, Friday, March 29, 2024.

Religion

PHOTOS: Hundreds gather in Pilsen for Good Friday Via Crucis

The annual event, now in its 47th year, reenacts the events around Jesus’ crucifixion.

By Sun-Times staff

Ben Stern on a visit to Tel Aviv on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea

Obituaries

Ben Stern, Holocaust survivor who fought against Nazi rally in Skokie, dead at 102

He launched a campaign against a proposed neo-Nazis march at a time the suburb was home to many Holocaust survivors. His rabbi at Skokie Central Congregation urged Jews to ignore the Nazis. “I jumped up and said, ‘No, Rabbi. We will not stay home and close the windows.’ ”

By Mitch Dudek

Auburn Gresham

St. Sabina unveils sculpture of Jesus weeping over gun violence victim: 'I hope this wakes people up'

The life-size sculpture, titled Thou Shalt Not Kill, shows a hooded victim of gun violence face down on the ground, bullet holes etched into his back, while Jesus weeps over him.

By David Struett

The spotted lanternfly has swarmed up and down the East Coast. It’s likely only a matter of time before the invasive creature arrives in Illinois, insect experts say.

Columnists

Colorful spotted lanternfly just one more thing to make us see red

Now that spring has officially sprung, come concerns the dreaded spotted lanternfly, a colorful leafhopper from China, is expected to add to our troubles. The invasive pests damage fruit, ornamental and woody trees by draining them of their health, causing stress and depriving them of their vitality.

By Michael Sneed

The headquarters of the Archdiocese of Chicago is of Gothic Revival architecture, with many elements pointing upward and a large round ornate window above the main entrance.

Religion

Cardinal Blase Cupich turns 75, sends mandatory resignation letter to Vatican

The cardinal, a close adviser to Pope Francis, is now at the church’s mandatory retirement age. He submitted his resignation letter, the Archdiocese of Chicago said, but the pope could refuse to accept it.

By Cindy Hernandez

News

Anti-Defamation League accuses Chicago Palestinian advocate groups of fueling antisemitism

The ADL says in a new report that pro-Palestinian groups are stoking a rise in anti-Jewish hate through weekly protests, organizing on campuses and social media posts. Students for Justice in Palestine calls the allegation “baseless.”

By David Struett

Religion

Black Catholics at Joliet's Sacred Heart Church worry what its closing will mean

“When you shut down Sacred Heart, the fear is: Are they shutting down Black Catholics?” one member says. For decades, the church preserved an identity as a home for Black Catholics that some fear will be lost under the Diocese of Joliet’s church consolidation plans.

By Elvia Malagón