NEWS STORY
RNS-Vatican-Easter: Coronavirus restrictions on Easter is a return to Vatican’s not-so-ancient rules
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — For many Catholics in Rome and globally, attending Holy Week Masses in St. Peter’s with the presence of the pope is a yearly activity and the prospect of those being cancelled seems unprecedented. But if Pope Francis won’t be able to celebrate Mass this Holy Week it will be a break with a very recent practice, especially by Catholic standards. By Claire Giangravé. 1,200 words. (category: i)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Congregation-Connections: Congregations improvise ways to fight Covid-19’s isolation
PULLMAN, Wash. (RNS) — Most of the 100 people filling the pews at Calvary Lutheran Church of Federal Way fit the description of those at “high risk” for COVID-19, making social distancing a pastoral problem. By Tracy Simmons. 800 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Trump-Churches: White House takes a low-key stance on churches that ignore coronavirus advice
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Trump administration officials continue to call out younger Americans who violate government recommendations to avoid meeting in groups larger than 10, but have said little about conservative Christian churches that have resisted their guidance, sometimes quite publicly. By Jack Jenkins. 830 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Jentezen-Franklin: Jentezen Franklin on preaching to Trump online, helping others amid virus
(RNS) — Pastor Jentezen Franklin, leader of a Georgia megachurch that President Trump listened to online on Sunday, talked about preaching during a pandemic, discussing with administration officials, and supporting Trump amid criticism of his handling of the crisis. By Adelle M. Banks. 1,300 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Waggoner-Oped: How do we weigh a floral designer’s dignity and freedom against state coercion?
(RNS) — Barronelle Stutzman is a floral design artist who has been sued by the Washington state attorney general for refusing to provide custom bouquets for a friend’s same-sex wedding. As the Supreme Court weighs whether to hear the case, Stutzman’s lawyer writes that the government should not punish her for her beliefs. By Kristen Waggoner. 1,189 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Burton-Oped: While we make the best of a pandemic, coronavirus is making the best of us
(RNS) — The past few weeks have put the lie to our illusions of self-sufficiency. We have always been responsible to one another for everything. We’re just noticing it now. By Tara Isabella Burton. 840 words. (category: k)
