NEWS STORY
RNS-Gorman-Church: At Amanda Gorman’s Black Catholic LA parish, ‘it’s like everybody here is a freedom fighter’
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As 22-year-old Amanda Gorman recited the words of her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” the St. Brigid Church Facebook page shared a screen shot of the national youth poet laureate with the the words: “Our very own Amanda Gorman.” Gorman is a member of South LA’s St. Brigid Church, a Black and Latino parish that’s overseen by the Josephite Fathers and Brothers — a Catholic order that centers their ministry in African American communities. The Catholic order was formed in 1871 to meet the needs of newly freed people after the Civil War. By Alejandra Molina. 1,100 words. (category: a)
NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Nationalism-Panel: What next? Christian leaders offer advice for confronting Christian nationalism
(RNS) — It’s clearer than ever that Christian nationalism is a threat to both faith and democracy, scholar Andrew Whitehead and Christian leaders agreed Wednesday (Jan. 27) at a virtual event addressing the topic. But the question remains: What can Christians do about it? By Emily McFarlan Miller. 800 words
NEWS STORY
RNS-Belief-Belonging: When it comes to building trust, belonging beats belief, study finds
(RNS) – A new study found that social religiosity can help build trust, but individual religion can lead to dislike of other people. By Bob Smietana. 850 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Mwaura-Oped: Jimmy Carter taught me how to pray for a president
(RNS) — The Bible is clear that we are to pray for our leaders no matter what our political preference may be. Preaching for Carter taught me a few things about how I want to pray for any president. By Maina Mwaura. 826 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Steinberg-Oped: A pragmatic peace for Israelis and Palestinians
(RNS)— Some have offered plans for Mideast peace that focus exclusively on Palestinian perspectives, and downplay deeply embedded Israeli insecurity. Besides the fact that they have no chance of success, there is no value in presenting proposals that fail to consider the lack of a Palestinian leadership capable of reaching a historic compromise. By Gerald Steinberg. 675 words. (category: k)