NEWS STORY
RNS-March-Life: Trump addresses March for Life, where religion and politics mix
WASHINGTON (RNS) — President Trump delivered a speech before a sprawling crowd gathered on the National Mall for this year’s anti-abortion March for Life demonstration, making him the first president ever to offer an in-person address to the conservative-leaning gathering where religion and politics are known to mix. By Jack Jenkins. 1,182 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Religion-Polarized: Melissa Rogers, Christianity Today’s Ted Olsen hope for common ground in divided US
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Polarization in American Christianity — and American politics — may be at its highest in recent memory but experts on the role of faith in public life nevertheless have some hope about ways to address it. By Adelle M. Banks. 600 words. (category: c)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Warren-Interfaith: Warren announces new campaign interfaith advisory council
(RNS) — Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren has unveiled a new religion-related campaign initiative, announcing an interfaith advisory council and forthcoming endorsements from more than 100 religious leaders from across the country. By Jack Jenkins. 570 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Pence-Vatican: At the Vatican, Pope Francis and US VP discuss pathways for world peace
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis met with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence for an hour-long conversation at the Vatican on Friday, as President Donald Trump faces an impeachment trial before the U.S. Senate. By Claire Giangravè. 766 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Faith-Based: Controversial comedy ‘Faith Based’ pokes fun at Christian films — to a point
(RNS) — “Faith Based” stars Luke Barnett and Tanner Thomason of Funny or Die fame as two not particularly Christians friends who decide nonetheless to make a Christian film because, as Barnett’s character puts it, “the entire genre is a gold mine.” The comedy may be fictional, but it’s very personal to Barnett, who also wrote the film, and director Vincent Masciale — and it’s not entirely wrong about Christian films, according to people familiar with the Christian film industry. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 1,,214 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Holy-Supper: La Luz del Mundo will continue to host US ceremony while leader remains in jail
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The Mexico-based La Luz del Mundo is holding its most sacred ceremony in February in events across the U.S. while its leader remains in a Los Angeles jail after he was arrested and charged with numerous sex crimes. The date of the Holy Supper — which memorializes the death and salvation of Jesus Christ — is unknown at this time but church members will be able to commemorate the ceremony in gatherings held in different states. By Alejandra Molina. 727 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Gehring-Oped: Trump woos Catholics on abortion but may lose them on life
(RNS) — The president’s appearance at this year’s March for Life is the kickoff to an expected ‘Catholics for Trump’ campaign that will focus on abortion over immigration, climate change and inequality. By John Gehring. 800 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Salkin-Oped: God save the boomers!
(RNS) – Grove United Methodist Church, a congregation of mostly 60- and 70-somethings in a St. Paul suburb, will close this summer, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The church needs a “reset,” the pastor said, and when it reopens in November, it will be focused on attracting new — and younger — people. I can certainly understand the need to attract younger families. But, let’s make sure there will always be room for every generation within those hallowed walls. By Jeffrey Salkin. 782 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Riess-Oped: It’s time for me to fast. It may be time for you, too.
(RNS) — The eating and drinking that we indulge in at the holidays is a natural binge, according to a new book on Christian fasting. But now it’s time to pull back —practically but spiritually. By Jana Riess. 1,074 words. (category: k)
