Tracy Simmons is the editor and community manager of SpokaneFAVS.com, an online publication that covers faith news in the Spokane area. She has written about faith for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington state. She holds an MA in Communication and a BS in print journalism, with a minor in theology. In 2009 Simmons was awarded the American Academy of Religion Award for Best In-Depth Reporting on Religion and in 2011 she won the Religion Newswriters Association’s Schachern Award for Online Religion Section of the Year.
SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) Spiritual abuse is when authoritarian religious groups use power and control to instill fear and guilt into worshippers. Similar to domestic abuse, if victims don’t deal with the trauma, survivor Karen Wanjico said, it can damage one’s mental health, relationships and worldview.
Today Bishop Blase Cupich of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane celebrated Mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in honor of Pope Francis, the newly elected pope.
NEWPORT, Wash. (RNS) On Sunday Sravasti Abbey welcomed a new novice nun to its community. In an ordination ceremony Daniela Mieritz took vows and became Venerable Thubten Jampa. Ruby Pan also took vows to become an Anagarkia.
SPOKANE, Wash. (RNS) The Spokane Islamic Center wants something mosques all across the country are seeking and can’t seem to find: an educated, bilingual, experienced imam who understands American culture. So far, the search has taken 18 months. By Tracy Simmons.
