Leaders of a Satanic cult in Russia face trial for rape, violent assault and underage sex. Prosecutors say members were forced to take part in alcohol fuelled orgies during which they plegded their souls to the devil. The men deny charges of sexual abuse and violence, claiming they were just taking part in role-play games.

Less than a week after a German Jesuit leader apologized over a deepening sexual abuse scandal at a prestigious Catholic institution, new reports paint a far grimmer picture of the crisis.

German media reported on Saturday that nearly 100 employees of the catholic Church have been suspected of involvement is sexual abuse over the past 15 years.

Kansho Tagai, a Buddhist monk known as MC Happiness, believes in keeping the appeal of his religion fresh. He regularly holds music sessions at a 400-year old temple in central Tokyo to teach Buddhist principles and rituals through hip hop. Tagai's status as Japan's premier rapper monk has turned him into a local icon with a loyal fan base of followers and performance artists. Al Jazeera's Zeina Awad reports.

For years, Bombay has been India's aspirational city of advanced financial and technological services. It is the country's economic powerhouse and a place where young men and women from all over India have been coming to seek out their dreams. Like any metropolis, the pace of life is more hurried; time is money and money is important - but not everyone runs with the pulse of the city the same way. Al Jazeera's Casey Kauffman met Jeetendra, a 24-year-old priest whose life is a constant balancing act of tradition and modernity. Just like Bombay, Jeetendra is confronted by the same challenges that face the sprawling city, yet both have succeeded in taking the rough with the smooth with equanimity and turning adversity into an enriching experience.

For years, Bombay has been India's aspirational city of advanced financial and technological services. It is the country's economic powerhouse and a place where young men and women from all over India have been coming to seek out their dreams. Like any metropolis, the pace of life is more hurried; time is money and money is important - but not everyone runs with the pulse of the city the same way. Al Jazeera's Casey Kauffman met Jeetendra, a 24-year-old priest whose life is a constant balancing act of tradition and modernity. Just like Bombay, Jeetendra is confronted by the same challenges that face the sprawling city, yet both have succeeded in taking the rough with the smooth with equanimity and turning adversity into an enriching experience.

The French government is refusing to grant citizenship to a foreign man who forces his wife to wear the full Islamic veil, amid a fierce debate in the country about national identity.

Francois Fillon, the French prime minister, said on Wednesday he would sign a decree barring the man from receiving French nationality, adding that he "has no place in our country".

Voodoo, a veneration of the spirits imported centuries ago by slaves from Africa, is an important spiritual practice in Haiti. Widely revered as a source of personal power and protection, voodoo can also bring misfortune if the spirits are not appeased. Followers of the ancient practice are said to be at one with nature. Voodoo practitioners say that the challenge for voodoo is to help rebuild Haiti after the devastating earthquake so that the country can be in harmony with nature. Jonah Hull reports from Gonaives in Haiti.

Our Scientology sources tell us there's an interesting reason that some members of the church are swarming into Haiti. The Scientologists are taking up landing time slots, which is holding up doctors that are trying to get into the country to provide medical assistance for the citizens of Haiti. Many of the Haitians are very spiritual and are asking the Scientologists to leave them alone.