RNS Updated Budget — Monday, January 13, 2020

NEWS STORY RNS-Benedict-Celibacy: Retired pope Benedict promotes priestly celibacy in new book suggesting rift between two popes VATICAN CITY (RNS) – With the words “I cannot be silent,” former Pope Benedict XVI released his strongest statement yet since his resignation seven years ago. In new book set for release in February, the retired pontiff appears […]

NEWS STORY
RNS-Benedict-Celibacy: Retired pope Benedict promotes priestly celibacy in new book suggesting rift between two popes
VATICAN CITY (RNS) – With the words “I cannot be silent,” former Pope Benedict XVI released his strongest statement yet since his resignation seven years ago. In new book set for release in February, the retired pontiff appears to not see eye to eye with his successor Pope Francis, especially when it concerns priestly celibacy. By Claire Giangravè. 915 words. (category: i)

NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Muslim-Chaplain: First woman Muslim chaplain commissioned in the U.S. military
(RNS) — The U.S. Air Force has commissioned its first Muslim woman chaplain candidate, marking the first time the U.S. military services will have a female chaplain of the Islamic faith. By Adelle M. Banks. 300 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Methodist-Livestream: Why schism? United Methodist leaders discuss their proposal to split the denomination
(RNS) — If a recently proposed plan to split the United Methodist Church isn’t approved in May by the denomination’s global decision-making body, it would be “catastrophic for the church,” said Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone. “It would be total disaster. It would mean more pain and more harm to the entire church,” Yambasu said. The bishop’s comments came Monday (Jan. 13) during a livestream hosted by United Methodist News Service that featured the 16 members of an unofficial group of United Methodist bishops and advocacy group leaders who negotiated the proposal, as well as famed mediator Kenneth Feinberg. Emily McFarlan Miller. 1,200 words


COMMENTARY
RNS-Burton-Oped: Why ‘Cats’ wins the Oscar for best spiritual comedy
(RNS) — Few movies — wait, few media properties have been as thoroughly panned as Tom Hooper’s new film adaptation of the 1981 Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. But “Cats” captures at once the intense spiritual longing of our modern world and its concurrent alienation from established sense and meaning. By Tara Isabella Burton. 800 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Moore-Oped: Why United Methodist Church’s plan for separation is good for everyone
(RNS) — For too long, United Methodists have been merely coexisting, without community, and too many congregations have grown accustomed to a theological ambiguity that dishonors our heritage. By Carolyn Moore. 948 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Two popes are one too many
(RNS) — From the announcement of his resignation almost seven years ago, people have been speculating about the danger of having two popes in the Catholic Church. Although technically Benedict lost his papal authority when he resigned, his new book on priestly celibacy shows how he still flexes his authority. By Thomas Reese 1,140 words. (category: k)