NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Barrett-Decision: Amy Coney Barrett joins liberal justices to stay execution, grant inmate’s pastor access
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined three liberal justices in allowing a pastor to be present during an execution, hinting at her broader approach to religious liberty disputes. By Jack Jenkins. 445 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Valentine-Lovespells: This Valentine’s Day, some pass up chocolates and flowers for love spells
(RNS) — As magic has caught on among non-Wiccans, the act of casting a spell has become a mainstream spiritual practice. That’s good news for those seeking new ways to bring love into their lives this Valentine’s Day. By Antonio Pagliarulo. 1,090 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-California-Churches: After California ruling, some are worshipping indoors, others still think it’s too risky
(RNS) — Since California changed its guidelines for houses of worship following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Feb. 6 that lifted a ban on indoor services, some religious leaders have opened their churches, mosques and temples to worshippers, but many others are choosing to continue congregating outdoors and online. The ruling limits attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity and restricts singing and chanting inside. By Alejandra Molina. 1,150 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Gugino-Folo: Martin Gugino committed to struggle, despite grand jury setback
(RNS) — Martin Gugino took the long view when he heard criminal charges were dropped against two Buffalo police officers who were seen shoving him to the ground during a protest outside City Hall last year. “It’s one more setback,” said the 76-year-old Catholic peace activist upon learning a grand jury declined to indict Buffalo Officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski on felony assault charges. By Yonat Shimron. 650 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Hillsong-Report: Brian Houston announces end to Hillsong East Coast investigation, says new lead pastors chosen
(RNS) — Hillsong global founder, Brian Houston, announced in an email to church members Friday, (Feb. 12) that the outside investigation into Hillsong East Coast and its former pastor, Carl Lentz, has concluded and it found “significant ways” the New York City church “failed to reflect Hillsong global culture.” The email also announced the search for Lentz’s replacement had concluded and the announcement of the new lead pastors would come within days. By Roxanne Stone. 829 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-WorldRelief-Retire: World Relief leaders stepping down after guiding evangelical organization through ‘tough season’
(RNS) — World Relief heads Scott Arbeiter and Tim Breene are stepping down after a combined 30 years serving the evangelical Christian organization. The two saw World Relief — one of nine agencies contracted by the government to resettle refugees in the United States — through a tumultuous period in the country’s refugee resettlement program. The announcement of their departures — planned for August 2021 — comes at a time they said feels right for younger, more diverse leadership at the organization. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 800 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Jews-Race: American Jews are taking a hard look at racism in their midst
(RNS) — The American Jewish community is the midst of a racial reckoning. In the past few months, the Reform and Reconstructionist movements have named directors of racial diversity, equity and inclusion. The new racial awareness has been sometimes slow in coming — in part because many Jews see themselves as targets of white supremacists. By Yonat Shimron. 850 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Vischer-Oped: Getting serious (and precise) about Christian nationalism
(RNS) — One unfortunate aspect of the American culture war is the tendency to weaponize words in ways that stretch them beyond any semblance of their original meanings. The latest term to meet this fate may be “Christian nationalism.” Since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, it’s showing signs of becoming an all-purpose condemnation of any effort to integrate Christian beliefs with civic engagement, even perfectly peaceful ones. So what is Christian nationalism, and what is it not? By Robert K. Vischer. 704 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: Yes, the Catholic church benefitted from Federal PPP loans. Good for them.
(RNS) — While one can argue about the merits of such a program for religious nonprofits, there is no indication of any illegal activity. Nor did church officials try to hide their actions as shown by the fact AP was able to get so much information from financial reports published by church entities. The Catholic church was simply very good at jumping through the bureaucratic hoops required to get a PPP loan. Diocesan finance offices proved to be very competent. Good for them. By Thomas Reese. 877 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Mwaura-Oped: What evangelical men can learn from Amy Grant and Annie F. Downs
(RNS) — Christian rock legend Amy Grant and author and podcaster Annie F. Downs are both evangelical Christian women who have become household names, each in their own time and in their own way. But they both offer lessons in thoughtful leadership Christian men too often ignore. By Maina Mwaura. 900 words. (category: k)