Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information.   Show # 1648 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on August 2. PROGRAM NOTE: Due to pledge, please check local listings.

• Churches and Domestic Violence – Women are overwhelmingly the victims of the widespread phenomenon of domestic violence.  It’s not frequently talked about in churches but a Chicago priest now visits parishes around the city to deliver a homily to open people’s eyes to the problem and he encourages each parish to set up a support system for victims of abuse.  He tells reporter Judy Valente that it’s hard to measure success because no one knows how many women who need help aren’t coming forward and that abusers don’t change easily, but must be confronted and held accountable. (Originally aired April 12, 2013) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2013/04/12/april-12-2013-churches-and-domestic-violence/15846/

• LDS Pageant – Palmyra, in upstate New York, considered sacred territory in Mormon history, is the site of an annual week-long pageant, attended by tens of thousands, celebrating that history.  With costumes, special effects and a soundtrack from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a cast of 750 people depict the events of the Book of Mormon, including a visit by Jesus Christ in America and the publishing of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith.  (Originally aired August 24, 2012) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2012/08/24/august-24-2012-lds-pageant/12369/

• Interfaith Village in Israel –  The first Middle East peace talks in years got underway in Washington this week with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators taking up a host of contentious issues.   Guest host Kim Lawton spotlights Oasis of Peace, a small village in Israel where Jews, Muslims and Christians intentionally live together and promote a message that peace is possible. (Originally aired September 23, 2011) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2011/09/23/september-23-2011-interfaith-village-in-israel/9578/