RNS Opening Budget—Wednesday, March 18, 2020

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 […]

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)

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)