The Anglican Church has introduced a revised version of its baptismal service that replaces language deemed “inaccessible” to unchurched people. In particular, the new ceremony removes promises that parents and godparents had previously made to repent of sin and to “reject the devil.” The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, supports the change.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has issued a major statement explaining racial policies that once banned black men from the Mormon priesthood, and that excluded all African-Americans from Mormon temples. Although LDS officials rescinded these prohibitions in 1978, the church had never fully addressed their historical roots.

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) has announced it will suspend a policy against same-sex relationships for faculty, as the school enters a “listening period” to review its stance on homosexuality. If the policy change becomes permanent, EMU would become the first member institution of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) to allow practicing gays and lesbians to serve as professors. The school’s board of trustees unanimously approved the review.

A former employee of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) has sued the ministry for wrongful termination related to her failed marriage. Alyce Conlon alleges that IVCF fired her for getting divorced, even as the group overlooked divorces of two male employees.

A new poll by Quinnipiac University indicates that most American Catholics are pleased with Pope Francis, even as some conservative critics have begun to worry about the pope’s perceived equivocating on gay marriage and abortion. Eighty-nine percent of Catholics register a “very favorable” or “favorable” view of Francis, six months after his selection as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. More strikingly, 68 percent of respondents agree with Francis’ contention that the church focuses too much on controversies over homosexuality and abortion.